ملخص
: Gauge symmetries play a central role, both in the
mathematical foundations as well as the conceptual construction of
modern (particle) physics theories. However, it is yet unclear whether
they form a necessary component of theories, or whether they can be
eliminated. It is also unclear whether they are merely an auxiliary tool to
simplify (and possibly localize) calculations or whether they contain
independent information. Therefore their status, both in physics and
philosophy of physics, remains to be fully clarified.
In this overview we review the current state of affairs on both the
philosophy and the physics side. In particular, we focus on the
circumstances in which the restriction of gauge theories to gauge
invariant information on an observable level is warranted, using the
Brout-Englert-Higgs theory as an example of particular current
importance. Finally, we determine a set of yet to be answered questions
to clarify the status of gauge symmetries
mathematical foundations as well as the conceptual construction of
modern (particle) physics theories. However, it is yet unclear whether
they form a necessary component of theories, or whether they can be
eliminated. It is also unclear whether they are merely an auxiliary tool to
simplify (and possibly localize) calculations or whether they contain
independent information. Therefore their status, both in physics and
philosophy of physics, remains to be fully clarified.
In this overview we review the current state of affairs on both the
philosophy and the physics side. In particular, we focus on the
circumstances in which the restriction of gauge theories to gauge
invariant information on an observable level is warranted, using the
Brout-Englert-Higgs theory as an example of particular current
importance. Finally, we determine a set of yet to be answered questions
to clarify the status of gauge symmetries
اللغة الأصلية | إنجليزيّة أمريكيّة |
---|---|
ناشر | Cambridge University Press |
حالة النشر | نُشِر - 2021 |