Relativistic Quantum Theory with Fractional Spin and Statistics

Abstract

These lectures discuss the formulation of quantum mechanics with fractional spin and statistics in 2+1 dimensions in a relativistic setting, emphasizing the path-integral approach. The non-relativistic theory is reviewed from a path-integral viewpoint. The group-theoretical underpinnings of relativistic fractional spin are discussed, then the path-integral quantization of spin and of massive fermions without using spinors is reviewed. The path integral for a system of n relativistic particles with fractional spin is constructed, the spin-statistics relation and the Lorentz and Poincare' representation content of physical states are discussed. Some problems in formulating a field theory with fractional statistics are presented, and their resolution in the operator cocycle approach is reviewed.

77 pages, three figures (not included, available upon request from author), plain TeX with harvmac (b mode), DFTT-93-33