de Sitter QED

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1983 · Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(83)90197-5· OSTI ID:5467743

Binegar, B; Fronsdal, C; Heidenreich, W

Attention is called to the fact that the well-known and straightforward generalization of electrodynamics to de Sitter space is incompatible with conformal invariance. In addition, there is difficulty in reconciling the space of one-photon states in de Sitter QED, for which the field carries no degree of freedom related to helicity, with that of flat space QED in which both signs of the helicity appear. The requirement of conformal invariance leads to the introduction of two vector potentials in de Sitter electrodynamics and resolves the helicity problem. A conformally invariant, indefinite metric quantization is carried out, and the nature of the flat space limit is clarified. Implications for a theory of composite massless particles are discussed, as well as applications to supersymmetry and supergravity.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90024
• OSTI ID: 5467743
• Journal Information: Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 149:2; ISSN APNYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
CONFORMAL INVARIANCE
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUATIONS
FIELD EQUATIONS
FIELD THEORIES
HELICITY
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MATHEMATICAL SPACE
PARTICLE PROPERTIES
PHOTONS
PROPAGATOR
QUANTUM ELECTRODYNAMICS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
SPACE
SUPERGRAVITY
SUPERSYMMETRY
SYMMETRY
UNIFIED-FIELD THEORIES