Aharonov-Bohm order parameters for non-Abelian gauge theories
- School of Natural Sciences, Institute for Advanced Study, Olden Lane, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 (United States)
The Aharonov-Bohm effect has been invoked to probe the phase structure of a gauge theory. Yet in the case of non-Abelian gauge theories, it proves difficult to formulate a general procedure that unambiguously specifies the realization of the gauge symmetry, e.g., the unbroken subgroup. In this paper we propose a set of order parameters that will do the job. We articulate the fact that any useful Aharonov-Bohm experiment necessarily proceeds in two stages: calibration and measurement. World sheets of virtual cosmic string loops can wrap around test charges, thus changing their states relative to other charges in the universe. Consequently, repeated flux measurements with test charges will not necessarily agree. This was the main stumbling block to previous attempts to construct order parameters for non-Abelian gauge theories. In those works, the particles that one uses for calibration and subsequent measurement are stored in {ital separate} ``boxes.`` By storing all test particles in the {ital same} ``box`` we show how quantum fluctuations can be overcome. The importance of gauge fixing is also emphasized. {copyright} 1995 The American Physical Society.
- Research Organization:
- Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-90ER40542
- OSTI ID:
- 147847
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, D, Vol. 52, Issue 12; Other Information: PBD: 15 Dec 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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