Gauge invariance of massless QED

A simple general proof of gauge invariance in QED is given in the framework of causal perturbation theory. It illustrates a method which can also be used in non-abelian gauge theories.Comment: 7 pages, TEX-file, Zuerich University Preprint ZU-TH-33/199

The Master Ward Identity and Generalized Schwinger-Dyson Equation in Classical Field Theory

In the framework of perturbative quantum field theory a new, universal renormalization condition (called Master Ward Identity) was recently proposed by one of us (M.D.) in a joint paper with F.-M. Boas. The main aim of the present paper is to get a better understanding of the Master Ward Identity by analyzing its meaning in classical field theory. It turns out that it is the most general identity for classical local fields which follows from the field equations. It is equivalent to a generalization of the Schwinger-Dyson Equation and is closely related to the Quantum Action Principle of Lowenstein and Lam. As a byproduct we give a self-contained treatment of Peierls' manifestly covariant definition of the Poisson bracket.Comment: 56 pages. to appear in Commun. Math. Phy

Non-Uniqueness of Quantized Yang-Mills Theories

We consider quantized Yang-Mills theories in the framework of causal perturbation theory which goes back to Epstein and Glaser. In this approach gauge invariance is expressed by a simple commutator relation for the S-matrix. The most general coupling which is gauge invariant in first order contains a two-parametric ambiguity in the ghost sector - a divergence- and a coboundary-coupling may be added. We prove (not completely) that the higher orders with these two additional couplings are gauge invariant, too. Moreover we show that the ambiguities of the n-point distributions restricted to the physical subspace are only a sum of divergences (in the sense of vector analysis). It turns out that the theory without divergence- and coboundary-coupling is the most simple one in a quite technical sense. The proofs for the n-point distributions containing coboundary-couplings are given up to third or fourth order only, whereas the statements about the divergence-coupling are proven in all orders.Comment: 22 pages. The paper is written in TEX. The necessary macros are include

Comments on the Gauge Fixed BRST Cohomology and the Quantum Noether Method

We discuss in detail the relation between the gauge fixed and gauge invariant BRST cohomology. We showed previously that in certain gauges some cohomology classes of the gauge-fixed BRST differential do not correspond to gauge invariant observables. We now show that in addition ``accidental'' conserved currents may appear. These correspond one-to-one to observables that become trivial in this gauge. We explicitly show how the gauge-fixed BRST cohomology appears in the context of the Quantum Noether Method.Comment: 24 pages, example section improved, short version without background material will appear in Physics Letters

General massive gauge theory

The concept of perturbative gauge invariance formulated exclusively by means of asymptotic fields is used to construct massive gauge theories. We consider the interactions of $r$ massive and $s$ massless gauge fields together with $(r+s)$ fermionic ghost and anti-ghost fields. First order gauge invariance requires the introduction of unphysical scalars (Goldstone bosons) and fixes their trilinear couplings. At second order additional physical scalars (Higgs fields) are necessary, their coupling is further restricted at third order. In case of one physical scalar all couplings are determined by gauge invariance, including the Higgs potential. For three massive and one massless gauge field the $SU(2)\times U(1)$ electroweak theory comes out as the unique solution.Comment: 20 pages, latex, no figure

The Standard Model and its Generalizations in Epstein-Glaser Approach to Renormalization Theory II: the Fermion Sector and the Axial Anomaly

We complete our study of non-Abelian gauge theories in the framework of Epstein-Glaser approach to renormalization theory including in the model an arbitrary number of Dirac Fermions. We consider the consistency of the model up to the third order of the perturbation theory. In the second order we obtain pure group theoretical relations expressing a representation property of the numerical coefficients appearing in the left and right handed components of the interaction Lagrangian. In the third order of the perturbation theory we obtain the the condition of cancellation of the axial anomaly.Comment: 38 pages, LATEX 2e, extensive rewritting, some errors eliminate

Removal of violations of the Master Ward Identity in perturbative QFT

We study the appearance of anomalies of the Master Ward Identity, which is a universal renormalization condition in perturbative QFT. The main insight of the present paper is that any violation of the Master Ward Identity can be expressed as a LOCAL interacting field; this is a version of the well-known Quantum Action Principle of Lowenstein and Lam. Proceeding in a proper field formalism by induction on the order in $\hbar$, this knowledge about the structure of possible anomalies as well as techniques of algebraic renormalization are used to remove possible anomalies by finite renormalizations. As an example the method is applied to prove the Ward identities of the O(N) scalar field model.Comment: 51 pages. v2: a few formulations improved, one reference added. v3: a few mistakes corrected and one additional reference. v4: version to be printed in Reviews in Mathematical Physic

Perturbative quantum gauge invariance: Where the ghosts come from

A condensed introduction to quantum gauge theories is given in the perturbative S-matrix framework; path integral methods are used nowhere. This approach emphasizes the fact that it is not necessary to start from classical gauge theories which are then subject to quantization, but it is also possible to recover the classical group structure and coupling properties from purely quantum mechanical principles. As a main tool we use a free field version of the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin gauge transformation, which contains no interaction terms related to a coupling constant. This free gauge transformation can be formulated in an analogous way for quantum electrodynamics, Yang-Mills theories with massless or massive gauge bosons and quantum gravity.Comment: 28 pages, LATEX. Some typos corrected, version to be publishe

On the assertion that PCT violation implies Lorentz non-invariance

Out of conviction or expediency, some current research programs take for granted that "PCT violation implies violation of Lorentz invariance". We point out that this claim is still on somewhat shaky ground. In fact, for many years there has been no strengthening of the evidence in this direction. However, using causal perturbation theory, we prove here that when starting with a local PCT-invariant interaction, PCT symmetry can be maintained in the process of renormalization.Comment: 13 page

On Gauge Invariance and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking

We show how the widely used concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking can be explained in causal perturbation theory by introducing a perturbative version of quantum gauge invariance. Perturbative gauge invariance, formulated exclusively by means of asymptotic fields, is discussed for the simple example of Abelian U(1) gauge theory (Abelian Higgs model). Our findings are relevant for the electroweak theory, as pointed out elsewhere.Comment: 13 pages, latex, no figure