Discrete gauge symmetry in continuum theories

Journal Article · Mon Mar 13 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.62.1221· OSTI ID:6341986

Krauss, L M; Wilczek, F

We point out that local symmetries can masquerade as discrete global symmetries to an observer equipped with only low-energy probes. The existence of the underlying local gauge invariance can, however, result in observable Aharonov-Bohm-type effects. Black holes can therefore carry discrete gauge charges: a form of nonclassical ''hair.'' Neither black-hole evaporation, wormholes, nor anything else can violate discrete gauge symmetries. In supersymmetric unified theories such discrete symmetries can forbid proton-decay amplitudes that might otherwise be catastrophic.

• Research Organization: Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106
• OSTI ID: 6341986
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Vol. 62:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
COSMOLOGICAL MODELS
GAUGE INVARIANCE
PROTONS
DECAY
AXIONS
BLACK HOLES
SCALAR FIELDS
SYMMETRY
BARYONS
BOSONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
GOLDSTONE BOSONS
HADRONS
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUCLEONS
POSTULATED PARTICLES
645400* - High Energy Physics- Field Theory