(1+1)-dimensional Yang-Mills theory coupled to adjoint fermions on the light front
- Department of Physics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210 (United States)
We consider SU(2) Yang-Mills theory in 1+1 dimensions coupled to massless adjoint fermions. With all fields in the adjoint representation the gauge group is actually SU(2)/Z{sub 2}, which possesses a nontrivial topology. In particular, there are two distinct topological sectors and the physical vacuum state has a structure analogous to a {theta} vacuum. We show how this feature is realized in light-front quantization, with periodicity boundary conditions in x{sup {plus_minus}} used to regulate the infrared behavior of the theory. The gauge field zero mode is treated as a dynamical quantity. We find expressions for the degenerate vacuum states and construct the analogue of the {theta} vacuum. We then calculate the bilinear condensate in the model. We argue that the condensate does not affect the spectrum of the theory, although it is related to the string tension that characterizes the potential between fundamental test charges when the dynamical fermions are given a mass. We also argue that this result is fundamentally different from calculations that use periodicity conditions in x{sup 1} as an infrared regulator. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
- OSTI ID:
- 632700
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, D, Vol. 56, Issue 8; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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