Tuesday, August 24, 2004

2:00p.m., Room 304
 

Speaker: Cal Burgoyne, University of Georgia
 
Title of talk: Clifford algebra and spinors 
 
Abstract: In physics the concept of Clifford algebras (often in  disguise)
 play an essential role in the discussion of spin. Spin cannot  be constructed
 by tensor methods. Pauli and Dirac Spinors can be  studied in terms of 
Clifford algebras. Clifford algebras on Euclidean  spaces of low dimension 
and on Minkowski space have important  applications in physics. In the
 introductory talk we will construct the  Clifford algebra Cl(2) and consider
 its relationship with the geometry  of the Euclidean plane.