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Wigner D-Matrix


The Wigner D-matrix D^j(g) is the (2j+1)×(2j+1) unitary matrix representing an element g of the special unitary group SU(2) in its irreducible representation of dimension 2j+1. Here, j=k/2 for a nonnegative integer k, and the row and column indices m and n range from -j to j in steps of 1. Its entries are the Wigner D-functions D_(mn)^j(g), commonly parametrized by three Euler angles.

As a group representation, the matrix satisfies

 D^j(g_1g_2)=D^j(g_1)D^j(g_2).

Since it is a unitary matrix,

 D^j(g)^_^TD^j(g)=I_(2j+1),

where the bar denotes the entrywise complex conjugate, T denotes the transpose, and I_(2j+1) is the identity matrix. For integer j, the group representation also descends to the rotation group SO(3), the three-dimensional special orthogonal group.


See also

Euler Angles, Group Representation, Special Orthogonal Group, Special Unitary Group, Unitary Matrix, Wigner D-Function, Wigner Matrix

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References

Varshalovich, D. A.; Moskalev, A. N.; and Khersonskii, V. K. Quantum Theory of Angular Momentum. Singapore: World Scientific, 1988.

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Wigner D-Matrix." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/WignerD-Matrix.html

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