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Asymptotically Free Gauge Theories. I

David J. Gross and Frank Wilczek
Phys. Rev. D 8, 3633 – Published 15 November 1973
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Abstract

Asymptotically free gauge theories of the strong interactions are constructed and analyzed. The reasons for doing this are recounted, including a review of renormalization-group techniques and their application to scaling phenomena. The renormalization-group equations are derived for Yang-Mills theories. The parameters that enter into the equations are calculated to lowest order and it is shown that these theories are asymptotically free. More specifically the effective coupling constant, which determines the ultraviolet behavior of the theory, vanishes for large spacelike momenta. Fermions are incorporated and the construction of realistic models is discussed. We propose that the strong interactions be mediated by a "color" gauge group which commutes with SU(3) × SU(3). The problem of symmetry breaking is discussed. It appears likely that this would have a dynamical origin. It is suggested that the gauge symmetry might not be broken and that the severe infrared singularities prevent the occurrence of noncolor singlet physical states. The deep-inelastic structure functions, as well as the electron-positron total annihilation cross section are analyzed. Scaling obtains up to calculable logarithmic corrections, and the naive light-cone or parton-model results follow. The problems of incorporating scalar mesons and breaking the symmetry by the Higgs mechanism are explained in detail.

  • Received 23 July 1973

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.8.3633

©1973 American Physical Society

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Nobel Focus: Limited Freedom for Quarks

Published 11 October 2004

The theorists who explained how quarks could be loosely bound yet inseparable won the 2004 physics Nobel Prize.

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Authors & Affiliations

David J. Gross*

  • National Accelerator Laboratory, P. O. Box 500, Batavia, Illinois 60510 and Joseph Henry Laboratories, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

Frank Wilczek

  • Joseph Henry Laboratories, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08540

  • *Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Research Fellow.

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See Also

Asymptotically free gauge theories. II

David J. Gross and Frank Wilczek
Phys. Rev. D 9, 980 (1974)

References

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Issue

Vol. 8, Iss. 10 — 15 November 1973

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