Published March 1980 | Version v1
Journal article Metadata-only

Breaking of gauge symmetry: A geometrical view

Creators

  • 1. Visual Techniques Lab, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195

Description

We present a simple introduction to the basic physical ideas involved in the breaking of local gauge symmetry. By utilizing the geometrical approach to gauge invariance, we see that symmetry breaking corresponds to a phase adjustment in the interaction between a gauge field and a special class of ''self-coherent'' systems. As examples, we discuss superconductivity and spontaneous symmetry breaking in elementary particle physics

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Am. J. Phys.
Journal Volume
48
Journal Issue
3
Series
Am. J. Phys.
Journal Page Range
200-204
ISSN
0002-9505

INIS

Country of Publication
United States
Country of Input or Organization
United States
INIS RN
11540042
Subject category
S72: PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS;
Descriptors DEI
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES; GAUGE INVARIANCE; GEOMETRY; SUPERCONDUCTIVITY; SYMMETRY BREAKING
Descriptors DEC
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY; ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES; INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES; MATHEMATICS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES