Asymptotically Flat Space-Times and Elementary Particles
- 18 September 1972
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Physical Society (APS) in Physical Review Letters
- Vol. 29 (12) , 817-819
- https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.29.817
Abstract
It is suggested that elementary particles should be defined as irreducible unitary representations of the group of asymptotically flat space-times in general relativity. The implications of such a definition are described in physical terms. In particular, it is pointed out that this definition (unlike the corresponding "flat space-time" definition) explains the observed discreteness of elementary-particle spins. The possibility of using the definition to explain "internal" symmetries is discussed.Keywords
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