Tensor Methods and a Unified Representation Theory of SU3

Starting with irreducible tensors, we develop an explicit construction of orthonormal basic states for an arbitrary unitary irreducible representation (λ, μ) of the group SU3. A knowledge of the simple properties of the irreducible tensors can then be exploited to obtain a variety of results, which ordinarily require more abstract algebraic methods for their derivation. As illustrative applications, we (i) derive Biedenharn's expressions for the matrix elements of the generators of SU3, (ii) compute the matrix elements of octet-type operators for the case (λ, μ) → (λ, μ), and (iii) develop an explicit unitary transformation connecting the isospin and the U-spin states in any arbitrary irreducible representation.