Summary of Elements of Algebraic Theory

Algebraic theory makes use of an algebraic structure. The structure appropriate to ordinary quantum mechanical problems is that of a Lie algebra. We begin this chapter with a brief review of the essential concepts of Lie algebras. The binary operation (“multiplication”) in the Lie algebra is that of taking the commutator. As usual, we denote the commutator by square brackets, [A, B] = AB - BA. A set of operators {X} is a Lie algebra when it is closed under commutation.