SOME FORMAL PROBLEMS IN GAUGE THEORIES
Abstract
The concern of this thesis are the problems due to the extra degrees of freedom in gauge-invariant theories. Since gauge-invariant Lagrangians are singular, Dirac's consistency formalism and Fadeev's extension are first reviewed. A clarification on the origin of primary constraints is given and some of the open problems in singular Lagrangian theory are discussed. The criteria in choosing a gauge, i.e., attainability, maintainability and Poincare invariance are summarized and applied to various linear gauges. The effects of incomplete removal of all gauge freedom on the criteria for gauge conditions are described. A simple example in point mechanics that contains some of the features of gauge field theories is given. Finally, we describe a method of constructing gauge-invariant variables in various gauge field theories. For the Abelian theory, the gauge-invariant, transverse potential and Dirac's gauge-invariant fermion field was derived. For the non-Abelian case we introduce a local set of basis vectors and gauge transformations are interpreted as rotations of the basis vectors introduced. The analysis leads to the reformulation of local SU(2) field theory in terms of path-dependent U(1) x U(1) x U(1). However, the analysis fails to include the matter fields as of now.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Particle physics
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