Renormalization of gauge theories

Gauge theories are characterized by the Slavnov identities which express their invariance under a family of transformations of the supergauge type which involve the Faddeev Popov ghosts. These identities are proved to all orders of renormalized perturbation theory, within the BPHZ framework, when the underlying Lie algebra is semisimple and the gauge function is chosen to be linear in the fields in such a way that all fields are massive. An example, the SU2 Higgs Kibble model is analyzed in detail: the asymptotic theory is formulated in the perturbative sense, and shown to be reasonable, namely, the physical S operator is unitary and independent from the parameters which define the gauge function.     

Quantization of gauge theories

A path-integral procedure for quantizing gauge theories is proposed (on a heuristic level). The Hilbert space of physical states is constructed. Each physical state is represented by an infinite set of gauge equivalent configurations. All physical transition amplitudes are defined. In this approach, the “natural” value of parameter θ is zero.     

Complexification of gauge theories

For the case of a first-class constrained system with equivariant momentum map, we study the conditions under which the double process of reducing to the constraint surface and dividing out by the group of gauge transformations G is equivalent to the single process of dividing out the initial phase space by the complexification G_C of G. For the particular case of a phase space action that is the lift of a configuration space action, conditions are found under which, in finite dimensions, the physical phase space of a gauge system with first-class constraints is diffeomorphic to a manifold imbedded in the physical configuration space of the complexified gauge system. Similar conditions are shown to hold for the infinite-dimensional example of Yang-Mills theories. As a physical application we discuss the adequateness of using holomorphic Wilson loop variables as (generalized) global coordinates on the physical phase space of Yang-Mills theory.     

A study of alternative actions for lattice gauge theories

A study of the intrinsic properties of Manton and Menotti-Onofri alternative actions for lattice gauge theories is presented. Their mutual relationships as well as their duality transformations and the behavior of the corresponding Wilson loop functionals are investigated. We show that Manton's action leads (in the weak coupling region) to a self-dual theory and that both the new actions imply in two-dimensions no crossover kink.     

Magnetically extended gauge theories

The gauge fields of two distinct O(3) gauge theories with spontaneous symmetry breaking are constrained to share an invariantly defined abelian-like “photon” sector. This magnetically extended lagrangian theory has O(3) × O(3) gauge invariance but only five gauge bosons: the “photon” and four further bosons that provide the electric and magnetic currents to which the “photon” couples. Generalizations to higher groups and comparison with a recent proposal of Montonen and Olive are made.     

Noncommutative two-dimensional gauge theories

We elaborate on the dynamics of noncommutative two-dimensional gauge field theories. We consider U(N) gauge theories with fermions in either the fundamental or the adjoint representation. Noncommutativity leads to a rather non-trivial dependence on theta (the noncommutativity parameter) and to a rich dynamics. In particular the mass spectrum of the noncommutative U(1) theory with adjoint matter is similar to that of ordinary (commutative) two-dimensional large-NSU(N) gauge theory with adjoint matter. The noncommutative version of the ?t Hooft model receives a non-trivial contribution to the vacuum polarization starting from three-loops order. As a result the mass spectrum of the noncommutative theory is expected to be different from that of the commutative theory.     

Charges in gauge theories

In this article we investigate charged particles in gauge theories. After reviewing the physical and theoretical problems, a method to construct charged particles is presented. Explicit solutions are found in the abelian theory and a physical interpretation is given. These solutions and our interpretation of these variables as the true degrees of freedom for charged particles, are then tested in the perturbative domain and are demonstrated to yield infra-red finite, on-shell Green’s functions at all orders of perturbation theory. The extension to collinear divergences is studied and it is shown that this method applies to the case of massless charged particles. The application of these constructions to the charged sectors of the standard model is reviewed and we conclude with a discussion of the successes achieved so far in this programme and a list of open questions. An erratum to this article is available at .     

On nonlinear gauge theories

In this note, we study non-linear gauge theories for principal bundles, where the structure group is replaced by a Lie groupoid. We follow the approach of Moerdijk–Mr?un and establish its relation with the existing physics literature. In particular, we derive a new formula for the gauge transformation which closely resembles and generalizes the classical formulas found in Yang Mills gauge theories.     

Residual gauge invariance of Hamiltonian lattice gauge theories

The time-independent residual gauge invariance of Hamiltonian lattice gauge theories is considered. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the unperturbed Hamiltonian are found in terms of Gegenbauer's polynomials. Physical states which satisfy the subsidiary condition corresponding to Gauss' law are constructed systematically.     

Topologically massive gauge theories

Gauge vector and gravity models are studied in three-dimensional space-time, where novel, gauge invariant, P and T odd terms of topological origin give rise to masses for the gauge fields. In the vector case, the massless Maxwell excitation, which is spinless, becomes massive with spin 1. When interacting with fermions, the quantum theory is infrared and ultraviolet finite in perturbation theory. For non-Abelian models, topological considerations lead to a quantization condition on the dimensionless coupling constant-mass ratio. Ordinary Einstein gravity is trivial, but when augmented by our mass term, it acquires a propagating, massive, spin 2 mode. This theory is ghost-free and causal, although of third-derivative order. Quantum calculations are presented in both the Abelian and non-Abelian vector models, to exhibit some of the delicate aspects of infrared behavior, and regularization dependence.     

Surface description of gauge theories

The partition function of non-abelian gauge theory is expressed, in the continuum limit, as a sum over surfaces which are swept out by the propagation of electric flux rings. Each flux surface is described by a two-dimensional continuum gauge theory, confined to that particular surface. The gauge field can then be integrated out; however, for closed and intersecting surfaces interesting complications arise, which reveal an algebraic structure typical of strong-coupling lattice gauge theory.     

On gauge theories of mass

The classical Einstein–Hilbert action in general relativity extends naturally to a blow-up (in the sense of algebraic geometry) of the usual space of pseudo-Riemannian metrics; this presents the metric tensor _gik$g_{ik}$ as a kind of Goldstone boson associated to the real scalar field defined by its determinant. This seems to be quite compatible with the Higgs mechanism in the standard model of particle physics.     

Non-abelian gauge couplings in thermal gauge field theories

Properties of the effective gauge couplings renormalized at finite temperature and density in thermal non-abelian gauge field theories are studied within one-loop approximations. Strong and severe vertex dependence is shown to come out both in the temperature and chemical potential dependences. Difficulties appearing in the perturbative calculation of physical quantities, indicated by the above disaster, are discussed. Also discussed is what insight might be gained from the present analysis into the “magnetic” screening of effective charge.     

Regularization of chiral gauge theories

The regularization of chiral gauge theories is reviewed from the “overlap” point of riew. This is a brief and biased review containing no references. Contribution dedicated to Lawrence Horwitz on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Geometrical properties of gauge theories

We calculate the metric of the orbit space in the free Yang-Mills theory and in scalar electrodynamics. From this metric we derive the curvature of the orbit space. We examine singular points where the curvature is ill defined. Finally we discuss the relation of the metric to the topological properties of the orbit space and the instanton solution.