The Simplest Form of the Lorentz Transformations

Abstract

We report the simplest possible form to compute rotations around arbitrary axis and boosts in arbitrary directions for 4-vectors (space-time points, energy-momentum) and bi-vectors (electric and magnetic field vectors) by symplectic similarity transformations. The Lorentz transformations are based exclusively on real $4\times 4$-matrices and require neither complex numbers nor special implementations of abstract entities like quaternions or Clifford numbers. No raising or lowering of indices is necessary. It is explained how the Lorentz transformations can be derived from the most simple second order Hamiltonian of general significance. Since this approach exclusively uses the real Clifford algebra $Cl(3,1)$, all calculations are based on real $4\times 4$ matrix algebra.Comment: Substantial rewrite of first draft. 16 pages, 1 figur