Clifford Algebra of Nonrelativistic Phase Space and the Concept of Mass

Prompted by a recent demonstration that the structure of a single quark-lepton generation may be understood via a Dirac-like linearization of the form p^2+x^2, we analyze the corresponding Clifford algebra in some detail. After classifying all elements of this algebra according to their U(1) x SU(3) and SU(2) transformation properties, we identify the element which might be associated with the concept of lepton mass. This element is then transformed into a corresponding element for a single coloured quark. It is shown that - although none of the three thus obtained individual quark mass elements is rotationally invariant - the rotational invariance of the quark mass term is restored when the sum over quark colours is performed.