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Tensor Products


Tensor products are a fundamental concept in abstract algebra and linear algebra. They allow the construction of new modules or vector spaces from existing modules or vector spaces. Understanding tensor products is essential in many areas of mathematics, including geometry, topology, and more. To fully understand the concept, it is important to understand the algebraic structures involved and how the tensor product works on them. This explanation will go deep into the definitions, properties, and examples of tensor products in the context of modules.

What is a module?

Before diving into tensor products, let's first understand what a module is. A module is like a generalization of a vector space. However, instead of a field of scalars (like the real numbers in a vector space), a module uses a ring as the set of scalars. Here is the formal definition:

A set M is a left R module if there is an operation R × M → M such that:
1. r · (m + n) = r · m + r · n for all r ∈ R and m, n ∈ M
2. (r + s) · m = r · m + s · m for all r, s ∈ R and m ∈ M
3. (r · s) · m = r · (s · m) for all r, s ∈ R and m ∈ M
4. 1_R · m = m for all m ∈ M where 1_R is a multiplicative identity in R

Definition of tensor products

Now, on to the tensor product of modules. The tensor product allows us to "multiply" two modules over the same ring to form another module. This operation extends the notion of multiplying numbers or vectors to the more general context of modules.

If M and N are modules over a ring R, then the tensor product M ⊗_R N is an R module, constructed such that for any R module P and bilinear map f: M × N → P, there exists a unique linear map g: M ⊗_R N → P such that transforms the following diagram:

m × n --f--> p
 ,
 |G∘⊗ |
M ⊗_R N -----G--→ P

The operation  maps the pair (m, n) to the elements in the tensor product M ⊗_R N.

Construction of the tensor product

The construction of the tensor product can get quite technical, but it essentially involves starting with a free module generated by the pairs (m, n) and then quotienting by certain relations to ensure bilinearity. Specifically:

To construct M ⊗_R N, consider the free module generated by the symbols [m, n] for m ∈ M and n ∈ N Then, apply the following relation:
1. [m + m', n] = [m, n] + [m', n]
2. [m, n + n'] = [m, n] + [m, n']
3. [rm, n] = r[m, n] and [m, rn] = r[m, n].

These relations ensure that the tensor product is bilinear.

Properties of tensor products

  • Distributivity: (M ⊕ M') ⊗_R N ≅ (M ⊗_R N) ⊕ (M' ⊗_R N)
  • Associativity: (M ⊗_R N) ⊗_R P ≅ M ⊗_R (N ⊗_R P)
  • Commutativity: M ⊗_R N ≅ N ⊗_R M (only if R is commutative)

Here, ⊕ denotes the direct sum of modules, and ≅ denotes isomorphism.

Examples of tensor products

Let's walk through some examples of tensor products in action.

Example 1: Tensor product of vector spaces

Let V and W be vector spaces over a field K The tensor product V ⊗_K W is a vector space whose dimension is the product of the dimensions of V and W

If {v_1, v_2, ..., v_m} is a basis for V and {w_1, w_2, ..., w_n} is a basis for W, 
So {v_i ⊗ w_j | i = 1, ..., m; j = 1, ..., n} forms a basis for V ⊗_K W.
v_1 w_1 v_2 w_2

Example 2: Tensor product with Z-modules

Consider integers modulo 2, ℤ/2ℤ, and integers modulo 3, ℤ/3ℤ. Compute their tensor product on .

Since ℤ/2ℤ is similar to ℤ[x]/(x²-x) and ℤ/3ℤ is similar to ℤ[y]/(y²-y), 
The tensor product (ℤ/2ℤ) ⊗_ℤ (ℤ/3ℤ) is trivial.
Z/2Z Z/3Z

Applications of tensor products

Tensor products are widely used in various mathematical fields. For example, in algebraic geometry, tensor products allow the construction of sheaves and are essential in defining schemes. In physics, especially quantum mechanics, tensor products are used to describe systems with many particles.

In the context of quantum mechanics, if H_1 and H_2 are Hilbert spaces, 
The tensor product H_1 ⊗ H_2 represents the combined state space of the two-part system.

Conclusion

Tensor products are a powerful and versatile mathematical concept. They provide a way to combine modules and vector spaces in a rigorous algebraic framework. Understanding tensor products enhances our ability to work with complex algebraic structures and to see connections between different mathematical fields.

In short, tensor products extend fundamental operations in mathematics to a broader context, giving us the opportunity to explore new and exciting areas of mathematical theory and application.


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