Symmetries in Physics: Group Theory Applied to Physical Problems

Everyone knows that symmetry is fundamentally important in physics. On one hand, the symmetry of a system is often the starting point for general physical considerations, and on the other hand, particular problems may be solved in simpler and more elegant ways if symmetry is taken into account. This book presents the underlying theories of symmetry and gives examples of their application in branches of physics ranging from solid-state to high-energy physics via atomic and molecular physics. The text is as self-contained as possible, with as much mathematical formalism given as required. The main emphasis is on the theory of group representations and on the method of projection operators, this is a very powerful tool which is often treated only very briefly. Discrete symmetries, continuous symmetries and symmetry breaking are also discussed, and exercises are provided to stimulate the reader to carry out original work.