Anyons as spinning particles

A model-independent formulation of anyons as spinning particles is presented. The general properties of the classical theory of (2+1)-dimensional relativistic fractional spin particles and some properties of their quantum theory are investigated. The relationship between all the known approaches to anyons as spinning particles is established. Some widespread misleading notions on the general properties of (2+1)-dimensional anyons are removed.Comment: 29 pages, LaTeX, a few corrections and references added; to appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys.

Linear Differential Equations for a Fractional Spin Field

The vector system of linear differential equations for a field with arbitrary fractional spin is proposed using infinite-dimensional half-bounded unitary representations of the $\overline{SL(2,R)}$ group. In the case of $(2j+1)$-dimensional nonunitary representations of that group, $0<2j\in Z$, they are transformed into equations for spin-$j$ fields. A local gauge symmetry associated to the vector system of equations is identified and the simplest gauge invariant field action, leading to these equations, is constructed.Comment: 15 pages, LATEX, revised version of the preprint DFTUZ/92/24 (to be published in J. Math. Phys.

Observers and their notion of spacetime beyond special relativity

It is plausible that quantum gravity effects may lead us to a description of Nature beyond the framework of special relativity. In this case, either the relativity principle is broken or it is maintained. These two scenarios (a violation or a deformation of special relativity) are very different, both conceptually and phenomenologically. We discuss some of their implications on the description of events for different observers and the notion of spacetime.Comment: 10 page