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A consideration of the possibilities of constructing composite particles of zero mass

University of British Columbia

This thesis investigates the possibility of constructing theories of composite particles of zero mass. Consideration is given primarily to the transformation properties of state vectors and operators used for the description of mass-less elementary particles under Lorentz transformation of the coordinate system. A method originally used by Wigner is developed more explicitly. The transformation properties of bilinear combinations of state functions and of operators are considered in some detail. It is found that the one example of a composite particle theory extant in the literature has incorrect transformation properties. No example of a correctly transforming theory is given.

Text

2012-01-31

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/40409

Physics

University of British Columbia

Graduate