Groups, Representations and Physics

Illustrating the fascinating interplay between physics and mathematics, this book provides a solid foundation in the theory of groups, particularly group representations. This fully revised edition includes a new chapter on the Cartan-Dynkin treatment of Lie algebras. This treatment leads to a systematic classification of Lie algebras and enables one to enumerate and construct their irreducible representations. Taking an approach that allows physics students to recognize the power and elegance of the abstract, axiomatic method, the book first develops the formalism and then deals with the physical applications. It illustrates formal mathematical definitions and proofs with numerous concrete examples.