Construction of Discrete Symmetries Using the Pauli Algebra Form of the Dirac Equation

Abstract

Two equations whose variables take values in the Pauli algebra of complex quaternions are shown to be equivalent to the standard Dirac equation and its Hermitian conjugate taken together. They are transformed one into the other by an outer automorphism of the Pauli algebra. Given a solution to the Dirac equation, a new solution is obtained by multiplying it on the right by one of the 16 matrices of the Pauli group. This defines a homomorphism from the Pauli group into the group of discrete symmetries, whose kernel is a cyclic group of order four. The group of discrete symmetries is shown to be the Klein four-group consisting of four elements: the identity Id; the charge conjugation symmetry C; the mass inversion symmetry M; and their composition in either order, CM = MC. The mass inversion symmetry inverts the sign of the mass, leaving the electric charge unchanged. The outer “bar-star” automorphism is identified with the parity operation, resulting in proof of CPT = M or, equivalently, CPTM = Identity.

Keywords

• discrete symmetry
• charge conjugation
• mass inversion
• negative mass
• group of symmetries
• Dirac equation