Geometric Computing With Clifford Algebras

This monograph-like anthology introduces the concepts and framework of Clifford algebra. It provides a rich source of examples of how to work with this formalism. Clifford or geometric algebra shows strong unifying aspects and turned out in the 1960s to be a most adequate formalism for describing different geometry-related algebraic systems as specializations of one "mother algebra" in various subfields of physics and engineering. Recent work shows that Clifford algebra provides a universal and powerful algebraic framework for an elegant and coherent representation of various problems occurring in computer science, signal processing, neural computing, image processing, pattern recognition, computer vision, and robotics.

Geometric algebra provides a rich and general mathematical framework for the development of solutions, concepts and computer algorithms without losing geometric insight into the problem in question. Many current mathematical subjects can be treated in an unified manner without abandoning the mathematical system of geometric algebra, such as multilinear algebra, projective and affine geometry, calculus on manifolds, Riemann geometry, the representation of Lie algebras and Lie groups using bivector algebras, and conformal geometry. Geometric Algebra Computing in Engineering and Computer Science presents contributions from an international selection of experts in the field. This useful text/reference offers new insights and solutions for the development of theorems, algorithms and advanced methods for real-time applications across a range of disciplines. The book also provides an introduction to advanced screw theory and conformal geometry. Written in an accessible style, the discussion of all applications is enhanced by the inclusion of numerous examples, figures and experimental analysis. Topics and features: Provides a thorough discussion of several tasks for image processing, pattern recognition, computer vision, robotics and computer graphics using the geometric algebra framework Introduces nonspecialists to screw theory in the geometric algebra framework, offering a tutorial on conformal geometric algebra and an overview of recent applications of geometric algebra Explores new developments in the domain of Clifford Fourier Transforms and Clifford Wavelet Transform, including novel applications of Clifford Fourier transforms for 3D visualization and colour image spectral analysis Presents a detailed study of fluid flow problems with quaternionic analysis Examines new algorithms for geometric neural computing and cognitive systems Analyzes computer software packages for extensive calculations in geometric algebra, investigating the algorithmic complexity of key geometric operations and how the program code can be optimized for real-time computations The book is an essential resource for computer scientists, applied physicists, AI researchers and mechanical and electrical engineers. It will also be of value to graduate students and researchers interested in a modern language for geometric computing. Prof. Dr. Eng. Eduardo Bayro-Corrochano is a Full Professor of Geometric Computing at Cinvestav, Mexico. He is the author of the Springer titles Geometric Computing for Perception Action Systems, Handbook of Geometric Computing, and Geometric Computing for Wavelet Transforms, Robot Vision, Learning, Control and Action. Prof. Dr. Gerik Scheuermann is a Full Professor at the University of Leipzig, Germany. He is the author of the Springer title Topology-Based Methods in Visualization II.

After an introduction to geometric algebra, and the necessary math concepts that are needed, the book examines a variety of applications in the field of cognitive systems using geometric algebra as the mathematical system. There is strong evidence that geobetric albegra can be used to carry out efficient computations at all levels in the cognitive system. Geometric algebra reduces the complexity of algebraic expressions and as a result, it improves algorithms both in speed and accuracy. The book is addressed to a broad audience of computer scientists, cyberneticists, and engineers. It contains computer programs to clarify and demonstrate the importance of geometric algebra in cognitive systems.

This edited survey book consists of 20 chapters showing application of Clifford algebra in quantum mechanics, field theory, spinor calculations, projective geometry, Hypercomplex algebra, function theory and crystallography. Many examples of computations performed with a variety of readily available software programs are presented in detail.

The demand for more reliable geometric computing in robotics, computer vision and graphics has revitalized many venerable algebraic subjects in mathematics OCo among them, GrassmannOCoCayley algebra and Geometric Algebra. Nowadays, they are used as powerful languages for projective, Euclidean and other classical geometries. This book contains the author and his collaborators' most recent, original development of GrassmannOCoCayley algebra and Geometric Algebra and their applications in automated reasoning of classical geometries. It includes two of the three advanced invariant algebras OCo Cayley bracket algebra, conformal geometric algebra, and null bracket algebra OCo for highly efficient geometric computing. They form the theory of advanced invariants, and capture the intrinsic beauty of geometric languages and geometric computing. Apart from their applications in discrete and computational geometry, the new languages are currently being used in computer vision, graphics and robotics by many researchers worldwide. Sample Chapter(s). Chapter 1: Introduction (252 KB). Contents: Projective Space, Bracket Algebra and GrassmannOCoCayley Algebra; Projective Incidence Geometry with Cayley Bracket Algebra; Projective Conic Geometry with Bracket Algebra and Quadratic Grassmann-Cayley Algebra; Inner-product Bracket Algebra and Clifford Algebra; Geometric Algebra; Euclidean Geometry and Conformal GrassmannOCoCayley Algebra; Conformal Clifford Algebra and Classical Geometries. Readership: Graduate students in discrete and computational geometry, and computer mathematics; mathematicians and computer scientists.

The subject of Clifford (geometric) algebras offers a unified algebraic framework for the direct expression of the geometric concepts in algebra, geometry, and physics. This bird's-eye view of the discipline is presented by six of the world's leading experts in the field; it features an introductory chapter on Clifford algebras, followed by extensive explorations of their applications to physics, computer science, and differential geometry. The book is ideal for graduate students in mathematics, physics, and computer science; it is appropriate both for newcomers who have little prior knowledge of the field and professionals who wish to keep abreast of the latest applications.

The author defines “Geometric Algebra Computing” as the geometrically intuitive development of algorithms using geometric algebra with a focus on their efficient implementation, and the goal of this book is to lay the foundations for the widespread use of geometric algebra as a powerful, intuitive mathematical language for engineering applications in academia and industry. The related technology is driven by the invention of conformal geometric algebra as a 5D extension of the 4D projective geometric algebra and by the recent progress in parallel processing, and with the specific conformal geometric algebra there is a growing community in recent years applying geometric algebra to applications in computer vision, computer graphics, and robotics. This book is organized into three parts: in Part I the author focuses on the mathematical foundations; in Part II he explains the interactive handling of geometric algebra; and in Part III he deals with computing technology for high-performance implementations based on geometric algebra as a domain-specific language in standard programming languages such as C++ and OpenCL. The book is written in a tutorial style and readers should gain experience with the associated freely available software packages and applications. The book is suitable for students, engineers, and researchers in computer science, computational engineering, and mathematics.