The structure of the gauge theory vacuum

Curtis Gove Callan, R. F. Dashen, D. J. Gross

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1108 Scopus citations

Abstract

The finite action Euclidean solutions of gauge theories are shown to indicate the existence of tunneling between topologically distinct vacuum configurations. Diagonalization of the Hamiltonian then leads to a continuum of vacua. The construction and properties of these vacua are analyzed. In non-abelian theories of the strong interactions one finds spontaneous symmetry breaking of axial baryon number without the generation of a Goldstone boson, a mechanism for chiral SU(N) symmetry breaking and a possible source of T violation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)334-340
Number of pages7
JournalPhysics Letters B
Volume63
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2 1976

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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