Broken conformal invariance and spectrum of anomalous dimensions in QCD

Employing the operator algebra of the conformal group and the conformal Ward identities, we derive the constraints for the anomalies of dilatation and special conformal transformations of the local twist-2 operators in Quantum Chromodynamics. We calculate these anomalies in the leading order of perturbation theory in the minimal subtraction scheme. From the conformal consistency relation we derive then the off-diagonal part of the anomalous dimension matrix of the conformally covariant operators in the two-loop approximation of the coupling constant in terms of these quantities. We deduce corresponding off-diagonal parts of the Efremov-Radyushkin-Brodsky-Lepage kernels responsible for the evolution of the exclusive distribution amplitudes and non-forward parton distributions in the next-to-leading order in the flavour singlet channel for the chiral-even parity-odd and -even sectors as well as for the chiral-odd one. We also give the analytical solution of the corresponding evolution equations exploiting the conformal partial wave expansion.     

Conformal invariance of the Ising model in three dimensions

We investigate a critical Ising-like model in the curved geometry S2 x R1 obtained by a conformal mapping of the infinite 3D space R3. The incompatibility of regular lattices with this geometry is avoided by use of the anisotropic limit of the lattice Ising model, which renders one of the space coordinates continuous. We determine magnetic and energylike correlation lengths of this model by means of a cluster Monte Carlo algorithm. From these data, and the assumption of conformal invariance, we obtain the magnetic and temperature scaling dimensions as X(h) = 0.5178(12) and X(t) = 1.423(19), respectively. These numbers are in a good agreement with the existing results for the 3D Ising universality class.     

Tests of time-reversal invariance in complex systems

The random-matrix theory for the effects of time-reversal non-invariance (TRNI) on energy level, strength and cross-section fluctuations in complex systems is reviewed. Applied to the compound-nuclear data this gives bounds on rms TRNI matrix elements. Using a fluctuation-free form of statistical spectroscopy bounds on α, the relative magnitude of the TRNI nucleon-nucleon interaction, is deduced. In all three cases we find α ≲ (2–3) × 10⁻³ at high (∼ 99%) statistical confidence. Suggestions are made about experiments which should improve the bounds.     

On renormalization and complex space-time dimensions

The method of using the dimension of space-time as a complex parameter introduced recently to regularize Feynman amplitudes is extended to an arbitrary Feynman graph. The method has promise of being particularly well-suited to gauge theories. It is shown how the renormalized amplitude, together with the Lagrangian counter-terms, may be extracted directly, following the method of analytic renormalization.     

(8,0) Locally supersymmetric sigma models with conformal invariance in two dimensions

The (8,0) conformal supergravity, and an action which describes its coupling to an arbitrary number of (8,0) scalar multiplets are constructed. The 64+64 components of the conformal supermultiplet occur as Lagrange multipliers which lead to differential and algebraic constraints on the fields of the scalar multiplets. Solving the algebraic constraints yields an (8,0) locally supersymmetric sigma model based on the manifold SO(8 + n,m)/SO(8)×SO(n,m), where n,m ⩾ 0.     

Conformal invariance,current algebra and modular invariance

A large class of conformally invariant models in two dimensions is realised by constraining free fermion theories. The Fock spaces of the constrained theories are described, using the representation theory of affine Kac-Moody algebras. The results are extended to superconformally invariant theories. Projections of the models, producing consistent two-dimensional field theories, are discussed.     

Superfield approach to symmetry invariance in quantum electrodynamics with complex scalar fields

We show that the Grassmannian independence of the super-Lagrangian density, expressed in terms of the superfields defined on a (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold, is a clear-cut proof for the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST invariance of the corresponding four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) Lagrangian density that describes the interaction between the U(1) gauge field and the charged complex scalar fields. The above 4D field theoretical model is considered on a (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold parametrized by the ordinary four space-time variables x ^μ (with μ = 0, 1, 2, 3) and a pair of Grassmannian variables θ and (with θ ² = ² = 0, θ + θ = 0). Geometrically, the (anti-)BRST invariance is encoded in the translation of the super-Lagrangian density along the Grassmannian directions of the above supermanifold such that the outcome of this shift operation is zero.      

Symmetry and invariance

The concept of invariance relates to both the intrinsic symmetries of physical systems and the symmetry of the set of equivalent reference frames used to observe them. Standard algebraic expressions for electrostatic potentials and crystal-field effective operators display both types of invariance. The concept of a reference frame is generalized to that of an ‘observing system’, which can, for example, be the basis states of a quantum system. This idea is related to Racah’s mathematical machinery for evaluating the matrix elements of many-electron 4f open-shell states in lanthanide ions. It is argued, on the basis of computational flexibility and ease of interpretation, that all equations that represent physical processes be expressible in terms of invariants of the set of observing systems. This ‘Principle of Invariance’ is then applied to special relativity, leading to a simple geometrical interpretation of Maxwell’s electromagnetic field equations. The close relationship between Dirac’s relativistic wave equation and Maxwell’s equations is then exposed. This leads to the concept of an inner structure of space-time and the reinterpretation of particle spin. Finally, it is shown that the use of invariants in relativity theory identifies a set of observing systems with a higher symmetry than that of Minkowski space-time.     

Nonrelativistic scale anomaly, and composite operators with complex scaling dimensions

It is demonstrated that a nonrelativistic quantum scale anomaly manifests itself in the appearance of composite operators with complex scaling dimensions. In particular, we study nonrelativistic quantum mechanics with an inverse square potential and consider a composite s-wave operator O=ψψ. We analytically compute the scaling dimension of this operator and determine the propagator 〈0|TOO^†|0〉. The operator O represents an infinite tower of bound states with a geometric energy spectrum. Operators with higher angular momenta are briefly discussed.     

Exact complex integrals in two dimensions for shifted harmonic oscillators

We use rationalization method to study two-dimensional complex dynamical systems (shifted harmonic oscillator in complex plane) on the extended complex phase space (ECPS). The role and scope of the derived invariants in the context of various physical problems are highlighted.     

Gauge invariance and renormalization

The renormalization of Abelian and non-Abelian local gauge theories is discussed. It is recalled that whereas Abelian gauge theories are invariant to local c-number gauge transformations δA_μ(x) = ?_μ,…, with □Λ = 0, and to the operator gauge transformation δA_μ(x) = ?_μφ(x), …, δφ(x) = α^?1?·A(x), with □φ = 0, non-Abelian gauge theories are invariant only to the operator gauge transformations $\text{δA}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{(x) ～}\textcolor{red}{}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{C(x)}$, …, introduced by Becchi, Rouet and Stora, where

_μ is the covariant derivative matrix and C is the vector of ghost fields. The renormalization of these gauge transformation is discussed in a formal way, assuming that a gauge-invariant regularization is present. The naive renormalized local non-Abelian c-number gauge transformation $\text{δA}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{(x) = (Z}{}_1\text{/Z}{}_3\text{)gA}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{(x) ×}\text{Λ}\text{(x)+?}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{Λ}\text{(x)}$, …, is never a symmetry transformation and is never finite in perturbation theory. Only for $\text{Λ}\text{(x) = (Z}{}_3\text{/Z}{}_1\text{)L}$ with L finite constants or for $\text{Λ}\text{(x) = Ω}\text{z}\text{?}{}_3\text{C(x)}$ with Ω a finite constant does it become a finite symmetry transformation, where $\text{z}\text{?}{}_3$ is the ghost field renormalization constant. The renormalized non-Abelian Ward-Takahashi (Slavnov-Taylor) identities are consequences of the invariance of the renormalized gauge theory to this formation. It is also shown how the symmetry generators are renormalized, how photons appear as Goldstone bosons, how the (non-multiplicatively renormalizable) composite operator A_μ × C is renormalized, and how an Abelian c-number gauge symmetry may be reinstated in the exact solution of many asymptotically fr ee non-Abelian gauge theories.     

Self-interaction and gauge invariance

A simple unified closed form derivation of the non-linearities of the Einstein, Yang-Mills and spinless (e.g. chiral) meson systems is given. For the first two, the non-linearities are required by locality and consistency; in all cases, they are determined by the conserved currents associated with the initial (linear) gauge invariance of the first kind. Use of first-order formalism leads uniformly to a simple cubic self-interaction.Supported by USAF OAR under Grant AFOSR 70-1864.     

Gauge invariance and daisies

Perturbative calculation of effective potentials based on fine-tuning of coupling constants must be carefully done in order to preserve its gauge invariant contents.     

Lorentz invariance of wave equations and galilean invariance of diffusion equations

The Lorentz invariance of a certain class of wave equations and on the other hand the galilean invariance of a certain class of diffusion equations is discussed.     

Scale invariance and inflation

A scale invariant model for early universe inflationary cosmology is developed. In order to realize dilatation invariance and spontaneous symmetry breaking we introduce two scalar fields, a dilaton and an inflaton. The scale invariant theory encompasses the Brans-Dicke and induced-gravity models as limiting cases. The model is solved numerically for a wide class of initial conditions. We find that the inflationary epoch is generically characterized by a two phase evolution of the universe: A single or double exponential era and a power-law expansion. Onset of gravity triggers double exponential evolution of the scale factor. We further examine inflation in the Brans-Dicke theory and find that scale invariance is restored in the course of spontaneous symmetry breaking.