A projection operator expansion is used to obtain the explicit forms of finite transformations in the triplet, octet, and decuplet representations of SU(3). The projection operators are obtained from the characteristic equations for the matrices in these representations. These characteristic equations are developed from known properties of the λi, Fi, and decuplet matrices; where multiple eigenvalues appear, it is shown that the relevant matrices also satisfy reduced equations in which no eigenvalue appears twice or more. General features of the method are discussed.

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© 1971 The American Institute of Physics.
1971
The American Institute of Physics
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