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Bases for a discrete special relativity

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Abstract

Following recent developments in the hypothesis of a discrete space-time lattice, some assumptions are postulated that seem necessary to work out this model in the theory of special relativity. In particular, the assumption of space-time coordinates with integer values requires the translation of relativistic mechanics and electrodynamics into the language of finite difference equations. A special study of the covariance of these equations under the inhomogeneous Lorentz group is carried out. Finally, a stronger assumption is postulated, by which the physical magnitudes derived from the space-time coordinates should take rational values.

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Author notes

  1. M. Lorente

    Present address: Departamento de Física Teórica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Madrid, Madrid-3

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Nuclear Science and Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    M. Lorente

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  1. M. Lorente
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Additional information

This work is supported in part through funds provided by the Atomic Energy Commission under Contract No. AT11-1-3069.

I am thankful to Professor R. Jackiw for bringing to my attention Wilson's ideas.

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Lorente, M. Bases for a discrete special relativity. Int J Theor Phys 15, 927–947 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01807714

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01807714

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