TITLE:
Formulas for Matrix Representations of su(3) and sl(3,C) Lie Algebras
AUTHORS:
Richard Shurtleff
KEYWORDS:
Lie algebras, Matrix Representations, su(3), sl(3, C)
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics,
Vol.14 No.5,
May
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Topological groups have wide application in the study of continuous symmetries in mathematics and the sciences. The Lie group SU(3) is one such group. The Lie algebra su(3) incorporates the generators that produce the elements of SU(3) by exponentiation. Many other Lie algebras, including su(2), have known formulas that may be utilized to build matrix bases that span the generators of those algebras. This article contributes formulas for matrices that form bases of irreducible representations of the su(3) and sl(3,C) Lie algebras. Having access to these matrix bases may provide benefits similar to those provided by the well-known formulas for the su(2) Lie algebra.