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Noncommutative standard model

Noncommutative standard model is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Noncommutative standard model rather than just read about it. In short: In theoretical particle physics, the non-commutative Standard Model (best known as Spectral Standard Model), is a model based on noncommutative geometry that unifies a modified form of general relativity with the Standard Model (extended with right-handed neutrinos). The model postulates that space-time is the product of a 4-dimensional compact spin manifold M {\displaystyle {\mathcal {M}}} by a finite space F {\dis…

Key takeaways

  • Noncommutative standard model belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Noncommutative standard model to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Noncommutative standard model from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In theoretical particle physics, the non-commutative Standard Model (best known as Spectral Standard Model), is a model based on noncommutative geometry that unifies a modified form of general relativity with the Standard Model (extended with right-handed neutrinos). The model postulates that space-time is the product of a 4-dimensional compact spin manifold M {\displaystyle {\mathcal {M}}} by a finite space F {\displaystyle {\mathcal {F}}} . The full Lagrangian (in Euclidean signature) of the Standard Model minimally coupled to gravity is obtained as pure gravity over that product space. It is therefore close in spirit to Kaluza–Klein theory but without the problem of massive tower of states. The parameters of the model live at unification scale and physical predictions are obtained by running the parameters down through renormalization. It is worth stressing that it is more than a simple reformation of the Standard Model. For example, the scalar sector and the fermions representations are more constrained than in effective field theory.

Motivation Following ideas from Kaluza–Klein and Albert Einstein, the spectral approach seeks unification by expressing all forces as pure gravity on a space X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} . The group of invariance of such a space should combine the group of invariance of general relativity Diff ( M ) {\displaystyle {\text{Diff}}({\mathcal {M}})} with G = Map ( M , G ) {\displaystyle {\mathcal {G}}={\text{Map}}({\mathcal {M}},G)} , the group of maps from M {\displaystyle {\mathcal {M}}} to the Standard Model gauge group G = S U ( 3 ) × S U ( 2 ) × U ( 1 ) {\displaystyle G=\mathrm {SU} (3)\times \mathrm {SU} (2)\times U(1)} .

Diff ( M ) {\displaystyle {\text{Diff}}({\mathcal {M}})} acts on G {\displaystyle {\mathcal {G}}} by permutations and the full group of symmetries of X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} is the semi-direct product:

Diff ( X ) = G ⋊ Diff ( M ) {\displaystyle {\text{Diff}}({\mathcal {X}})={\mathcal {G}}\rtimes {\text{Diff}}({\mathcal {M}})}

Note that the group of invariance of X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} is not a simple group as it always contains the normal subgroup G {\displaystyle {\mathcal {G}}} . It was proved by Mather and Thurston that for ordinary (commutative) manifolds, the connected component of the identity in Diff ( M ) {\displaystyle {\text{Diff}}({\mathcal {M}})} is always a simple group, therefore no ordinary manifold can have this semi-direct product structure. It is nevertheless possible to find such a space by enlarging the notion of space. In noncommutative geometry, spaces are specified in algebraic terms. The algebraic object corresponding to a diffeomorphism is the automorphism of the algebra of coordinates. If the algebra is taken non-commutative it has trivial automorphisms (so-called inner automorphisms). These inner automorphisms form a normal subgroup of the group of automorphisms and provide the correct group structure. Picking different algebras then give rise to different symmetries. The Spectral Standard Model takes as input the algebra A = C ∞ ( M ) ⊗ A F {\displaystyle A=C^{\infty }(M)\otimes A_{F}} where C ∞ ( M ) {\displaystyle C^{\infty }(M)} is the algebra of differentiable functions encoding the 4-dimensional manifold and A F = C ⊕ H ⊕ M 3 ( C ) {\displaystyle A_{F}=\mathbb {C} \oplus \mathbb {H} \oplus M_{3}(\mathbb {C} )} is a finite dimensional algebra encoding the symmetries of the Standard Model.

History First ideas to use noncommutative geometry to particle physics appeared in 1988-89, and were formalized a couple of years later by Alain Connes and John Lott in what is known as the Connes-Lott model . The Connes-Lott model did not incorporate the gravitational field. In 1997, Ali Chamseddine and Alain Connes published a new action principle, the Spectral Action, that made possible to incorporate the gravitational field into the model. Nevertheless, it was quickly noted that the model suffered from the notorious fermion-doubling problem (quadrupling of the fermions)

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Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Noncommutative standard model

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Noncommutative standard model claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Noncommutative standard model before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Noncommutative standard model ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Noncommutative standard model

In research
Noncommutative standard model appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Noncommutative standard model in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Noncommutative standard model is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Noncommutative geometry, Physics beyond the Standard Model, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Noncommutative standard model outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Noncommutative standard model in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Noncommutative standard model means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Noncommutative standard model out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Noncommutative standard model in simple terms?

In theoretical particle physics, the non-commutative Standard Model (best known as Spectral Standard Model), is a model based on noncommutative geometry that unifies a modified form of general relativity with the Standard Model (extended with right-handed neutrinos). The model postulates that space…

Why does Noncommutative standard model matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Noncommutative standard model?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Noncommutative standard model.

Tags

  • Noncommutative geometry
  • Physics beyond the Standard Model

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