Discrete Lorentz symmetry and discrete time translational symmetry

Abstract

The Lorentz symmetry and the space and time translational symmetry are fundamental symmetries of nature. Crystals are the manifestation of the continuous space translational symmetry being spontaneously broken into a discrete one. We argue that, following the space translational symmetry, the continuous Lorentz symmetry should also be broken into a discrete one, which further implies that the continuous time translational symmetry is broken into a discrete one. We deduce all the possible discrete Lorentz and discrete time translational symmetries in 1+1-dimensional spacetime, and show how to build a field theory or a lattice field theory that has these symmetries.

Keywords

• discrete Lorentz group
• discrete time translational symmetry
• spontaneous symmetry breaking