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# 29. atensor

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## 29.1 Introduction to atensor

`atensor` is an algebraic tensor manipulation package. To use `atensor`, type `load(atensor)`, followed by a call to the `init_atensor` function.

The essence of `atensor` is a set of simplification rules for the noncommutative (dot) product operator ("`.`"). `atensor` recognizes several algebra types; the corresponding simplification rules are put into effect when the `init_atensor` function is called.

The capabilities of `atensor` can be demonstrated by defining the algebra of quaternions as a Clifford-algebra Cl(0,2) with two basis vectors. The three quaternionic imaginary units are then the two basis vectors and their product, i.e.:

        i = v     j = v     k = v  . v
             1         2         1    2

Although the `atensor` package has a built-in definition for the quaternion algebra, it is not used in this example, in which we endeavour to build the quaternion multiplication table as a matrix:

    (%i1) load(atensor);
    (%o1)       /share/tensor/atensor.mac
    (%i2) init_atensor(clifford,0,0,2);
    (%o2)                                done
    (%i3) atensimp(v[1].v[1]);
    (%o3)                                 - 1
    (%i4) atensimp((v[1].v[2]).(v[1].v[2]));
    (%o4)                                 - 1
    (%i5) q:zeromatrix(4,4);
                                    [ 0  0  0  0 ]
                                    [            ]
                                    [ 0  0  0  0 ]
    (%o5)                           [            ]
                                    [ 0  0  0  0 ]
                                    [            ]
                                    [ 0  0  0  0 ]
    (%i6) q[1,1]:1;
    (%o6)                                  1
    (%i7) for i thru adim do q[1,i+1]:q[i+1,1]:v[i];
    (%o7)                                done
    (%i8) q[1,4]:q[4,1]:v[1].v[2];
    (%o8)                               v  . v
                                         1    2
    (%i9) for i from 2 thru 4 do for j from 2 thru 4 do
          q[i,j]:atensimp(q[i,1].q[1,j]);
    (%o9)                                done
    (%i10) q;
                       [    1        v         v      v  . v  ]
                       [              1         2      1    2 ]
                       [                                      ]
                       [   v         - 1     v  . v    - v    ]
                       [    1                 1    2      2   ]
    (%o10)             [                                      ]
                       [   v      - v  . v     - 1      v     ]
                       [    2        1    2              1    ]
                       [                                      ]
                       [ v  . v      v        - v       - 1   ]
                       [  1    2      2          1            ]

`atensor` recognizes as base vectors indexed symbols, where the symbol is that stored in `asymbol` and the index runs between 1 and `adim`. For indexed symbols, and indexed symbols only, the bilinear forms `sf`, `af`, and `av` are evaluated. The evaluation substitutes the value of `aform[i,j]` in place of `fun(v[i],v[j])` where `v` represents the value of `asymbol` and `fun` is either `af` or `sf`; or, it substitutes `v[aform[i,j]]` in place of `av(v[i],v[j])`.

Needless to say, the functions `sf`, `af` and `av` can be redefined.

When the `atensor` package is loaded, the following flags are set:

    dotscrules:true;
    dotdistrib:true;
    dotexptsimp:false;

If you wish to experiment with a nonassociative algebra, you may also consider setting `dotassoc` to `false`. In this case, however, `atensimp` will not always be able to obtain the desired simplifications.

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## 29.2 Functions and Variables for atensor

Function: init_atensor (alg_type, opt_dims)
Function: init_atensor (alg_type)

  Initializes the `atensor` package with the specified algebra type. alg_type can be one of the following:

  `universal`: The universal algebra has no commutation rules.

  `grassmann`: The Grassman algebra is defined by the commutation relation `u.v+v.u=0`.

  `clifford`: The Clifford algebra is defined by the commutation relation `u.v+v.u=-2*sf(u,v)` where `sf` is a symmetric scalar-valued function. For this algebra, opt_dims can be up to three nonnegative integers, representing the number of positive, degenerate, and negative dimensions of the algebra, respectively. If any opt_dims values are supplied, `atensor` will configure the values of `adim` and `aform` appropriately. Otherwise, `adim` will default to 0 and `aform` will not be defined.

  `symmetric`: The symmetric algebra is defined by the commutation relation `u.v-v.u=0`.

  `symplectic`: The symplectic algebra is defined by the commutation relation `u.v-v.u=2*af(u,v)` where `af` is an antisymmetric scalar-valued function. For the symplectic algebra, opt_dims can be up to two nonnegative integers, representing the nondegenerate and degenerate dimensions, respectively. If any opt_dims values are supplied, `atensor` will configure the values of `adim` and `aform` appropriately. Otherwise, `adim` will default to 0 and `aform` will not be defined.

  `lie_envelop`: The algebra of the Lie envelope is defined by the commutation relation `u.v-v.u=2*av(u,v)` where `av` is an antisymmetric function.

  The `init_atensor` function also recognizes several predefined algebra types:

  `complex` implements the algebra of complex numbers as the Clifford algebra Cl(0,1). The call `init_atensor(complex)` is equivalent to `init_atensor(clifford,0,0,1)`.

  `quaternion` implements the algebra of quaternions. The call `init_atensor(quaternion)` is equivalent to `init_atensor(clifford,0,0,2)`.

  `pauli` implements the algebra of Pauli-spinors as the Clifford-algebra Cl(3,0). A call to `init_atensor(pauli)` is equivalent to `init_atensor(clifford,3)`.

  `dirac` implements the algebra of Dirac-spinors as the Clifford-algebra Cl(3,1). A call to `init_atensor(dirac)` is equivalent to `init_atensor(clifford,3,0,1)`.

Function: atensimp (expr)

  Simplifies an algebraic tensor expression expr according to the rules configured by a call to `init_atensor`. Simplification includes recursive application of commutation relations and resolving calls to `sf`, `af`, and `av` where applicable. A safeguard is used to ensure that the function always terminates, even for complex expressions.

Function: alg_type

  The algebra type. Valid values are `universal`, `grassmann`, `clifford`, `symmetric`, `symplectic` and `lie_envelop`.

Variable: adim

  Default value: 0

  The dimensionality of the algebra. `atensor` uses the value of `adim` to determine if an indexed object is a valid base vector. See `abasep`.

Variable: aform

  Default value: `ident(3)`

  Default values for the bilinear forms `sf`, `af`, and `av`. The default is the identity matrix `ident(3)`.

Variable: asymbol

  Default value: `v`

  The symbol for base vectors..

Function: sf (u, v)

  A symmetric scalar function that is used in commutation relations. The default implementation checks if both arguments are base vectors using `abasep` and if that is the case, substitutes the corresponding value from the matrix `aform`.

Function: af (u, v)

  An antisymmetric scalar function that is used in commutation relations. The default implementation checks if both arguments are base vectors using `abasep` and if that is the case, substitutes the corresponding value from the matrix `aform`.

Function: av (u, v)

  An antisymmetric function that is used in commutation relations. The default implementation checks if both arguments are base vectors using `abasep` and if that is the case, substitutes the corresponding value from the matrix `aform`.

  For instance:

      (%i1) load(atensor);
      (%o1)       /share/tensor/atensor.mac
      (%i2) adim:3;
      (%o2)                                  3
      (%i3) aform:matrix([0,3,-2],[-3,0,1],[2,-1,0]);
                                     [  0    3   - 2 ]
                                     [               ]
      (%o3)                          [ - 3   0    1  ]
                                     [               ]
                                     [  2   - 1   0  ]
      (%i4) asymbol:x;
      (%o4)                                  x
      (%i5) av(x[1],x[2]);
      (%o5)                                 x
                                             3

Function: abasep (v)

  Checks if its argument is an `atensor` base vector. That is, if it is an indexed symbol, with the symbol being the same as the value of `asymbol`, and the index having a numeric value between 1 and `adim`.

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This document was generated by Robert Dodier on August, 25 2007 using texi2html 1.76.