Concepts of Symmetry in the Work of Wolfgang Pauli

TL;DR

This paper reviews the diverse concepts of symmetry in physics, emphasizing Wolfgang Pauli's contributions and illustrating how different symmetry notions are applied across various physical contexts.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of symmetry concepts in 20th-century physics through the lens of Wolfgang Pauli's work, highlighting their mathematical and conceptual diversity.

Findings

Different notions of symmetry have distinct mathematical and physical implications.

Symmetry concepts have evolved and diversified in physics, influencing theoretical developments.

Pauli's work exemplifies the application of various symmetry ideas in scientific research.

Abstract

"Symmetry" was one of the most important methodological themes in 20th-century physics and is probably going to play no lesser role in physics of the 21st century. As used today, there are a variety of interpretations of this term, which differ in meaning as well as their mathematical consequences. Symmetries of crystals, for example, generally express a different kind of invariance than gauge symmetries, though in specific situations the distinctions may become quite subtle. I will review some of the various notions of "symmetry" and highlight some of their uses in specific examples taken from Pauli's scientific oevre.