Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q

In summary, the conversation is about a Lagrangian and a U(1) gauge transformation. The question is raised about how to determine the field to add in to make the Lagrangian gauge invariant, and the concept of covariance and group action in the adjoint representation is discussed as a possible solution.
  • #1
div curl F= 0
19
0
Dear All,

I'd be grateful for a bit of help with the following problems:

Consider the Lagrangian:
[tex] \displaystyle \mathcal{L} = (\partial_{\mu} \phi) (\partial^{\mu} \phi^{\dagger}) - m^2 \phi^{\dagger} \phi [/tex]
where [tex] \phi = \phi(x^{\mu}) [/tex]

Now making a U(1) gauge transformation:
[tex] \displaystyle \phi \longmapsto e^{i \Lambda(x^{\mu})} \phi [/tex]

does the Lagrangian become:

[tex] \displaystyle \mathcal{L} = (\partial_{\mu} \phi) \cdot (\partial^{\mu} \phi^{\dagger}) - m^2 \phi^{\dagger} \phi + \phi \phi^{\dagger} (\partial_{\mu} \Lambda) \cdot (\partial^{\mu} \Lambda) + i \partial_{\mu} \Lambda \cdot (\phi \partial^{\mu} \phi^{\dagger} - \phi^{\dagger} \partial^{\mu} \phi) [/tex] ?

I realize you can add in another field to counteract the gauge transformation so the Lagrangian becomes gauge invariant, but how exactly would you determine the field to "add in" by inspection?

Thanks for any replies
 
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  • #2
Uhm, looks right. The point of gauge invariance is that you want a gauge transformation that commutes with the derivative. In other words, if
[tex]\phi \to g \phi[/tex],
then
[tex]\partial_\mu \phi \to g \partial_\mu \phi + (\partial_\mu g) \phi[/tex]
whereas we would like covariance:
[tex]D_\mu \phi \to g D_\mu \phi[/tex]
which implies that
[tex]D_\mu \to g D_\mu g^{-1}[/tex] (the derivative now acts on everything to its right).
 
  • #3
Thanks for your reply lbrits.

That transformation: [tex] D_{\mu} \to g D_{\mu} g^{-1} [/tex]
looks suspiciously like an equivalence relation from group theory?
 
  • #4
Yes, [tex]g X g^{-1}[/tex] is group action in the adjoint representation.
 

Related to Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q

What is a Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q?

A Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q is a mathematical tool used in theoretical physics to describe the symmetries of a physical system. It involves changing the coordinates of a system in a way that leaves the equations of motion unchanged, resulting in a new set of equations that may be easier to solve or analyze.

How is a Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q different from other types of transformations?

A Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q is different from other types of transformations because it does not change the physical content of a system, but rather just its mathematical description. It is a type of symmetry transformation that preserves the dynamics of the system.

What are the applications of Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q?

Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q has many applications in theoretical and particle physics, particularly in the study of gauge theories and quantum field theory. It is also used in classical mechanics and general relativity to simplify and analyze complex systems.

How is Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q related to the principle of least action?

The principle of least action states that the path a physical system takes between two points is the one that minimizes the action, a mathematical quantity that represents the total energy of the system. Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q is closely related to this principle, as it allows for the simplification of the equations of motion and facilitates the application of the principle in more complex systems.

What are the mathematical properties of Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q?

Lagrangian Gauge Transformation Q has several important mathematical properties, including being a type of symmetry transformation, being a local transformation, and being a unitary transformation. It also has the property of gauge invariance, meaning that the physical predictions of a system should be independent of the choice of gauge transformation used.

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