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Journal ArticleDOI

Symmetries of baryons and mesons

01 Feb 1962-Physical Review (American Physical Society)-Vol. 125, Iss: 3, pp 1067-1084
TL;DR: In this article, it is suggested that the group is in fact U(3)×U(3), exemplified by the symmetrical Sakata model, and the symmetrized Sakata models are used to define the structure of baryons and mesons.
Abstract: The system of strongly interacting particles is discussed, with electromagnetism, weak interactions, and gravitation considered as perturbations. The electric current jα, the weak current Jα, and the gravitational tensor θαβ are all well-defined operators, with finite matrix elements obeying dispersion relations. To the extent that the dispersion relations for matrix elements of these operators between the vacuum and other states are highly convergent and dominated by contributions from intermediate one-meson states, we have relations like the Goldberger-Treiman formula and universality principles like that of Sakurai according to which the ρ meson is coupled approximately to the isotopic spin. Homogeneous linear dispersion relations, even without subtractions, do not suffice to fix the scale of these matrix elements; in particular, for the nonconserved currents, the renormalization factors cannot be calculated, and the universality of strength of the weak interactions is undefined. More information than just the dispersion relations must be supplied, for example, by field-theoretic models; we consider, in fact, the equal-time commutation relations of the various parts of j4 and J4. These nonlinear relations define an algebraic system (or a group) that underlies the structure of baryons and mesons. It is suggested that the group is in fact U(3)×U(3), exemplified by the symmetrical Sakata model. The Hamiltonian density θ44 is not completely invariant under the group; the noninvariant part transforms according to a particular representation of the group; it is possible that this information also is given correctly by the symmetrical Sakata model. Various exact relations among form factors follow from the algebraic structure. In addition, it may be worthwhile to consider the approximate situation in which the strangeness-changing vector currents are conserved and the Hamiltonian is invariant under U(3); we refer to this limiting case as "unitary symmetry." In the limit, the baryons and mesons form degenerate supermultiplets, which break up into isotopic multiplets when the symmetry-breaking term in the Hamiltonian is "turned on." The mesons are expected to form unitary singlets and octets; each octet breaks up into a triplet, a singlet, and a pair of strange doublets. The known pseudoscalar and vector mesons fit this pattern if there exists also an isotopic singlet pseudoscalar meson χ0. If we consider unitary symmetry in the abstract rather than in connection with a field theory, then we find, as an attractive alternative to the Sakata model, the scheme of Ne'eman and Gell-Mann, which we call the "eightfold way"; the baryons N, Λ, Σ, and Ξ form an octet, like the vector and pseudoscalar meson octets, in the limit of unitary symmetry. Although the violations of unitary symmetry must be quite large, there is some hope of relating certain violations to others. As an example of the methods advocated, we present a rough calculation of the rate of K+→μ++ν in terms of that of π+→μ++ν.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assume that the strong interactions of baryons and mesons are correctly described in terms of the broken "eightfold way", and they are tempted to look for some fundamental explanation of the situation.

2,244 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an alternative to specific Lagrangian models of current algebra is proposed, in which scale invariance is a broken symmetry of strong interactions, as proposed by Kastrup and Mack.
Abstract: An alternative is proposed to specific Lagrangian models of current algebra. In this alternative there are no explicit canonical fields, and operator products at the same point [say, ${j}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}(x){j}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}(x)$] have no meaning. Instead, it is assumed that scale invariance is a broken symmetry of strong interactions, as proposed by Kastrup and Mack. Also, a generalization of equal-time commutators is assumed: Operator products at short distances have expansions involving local fields multiplying singular functions. It is assumed that the dominant fields are the $\mathrm{SU}(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(3)$ currents and the $\mathrm{SU}(3)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(3)$ multiplet containing the pion field. It is assumed that the pion field scales like a field of dimension $\ensuremath{\Delta}$, where $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is unspecified within the range $1\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\Delta}l4$; the value of $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is a consequence of renormalization. These hypotheses imply several qualitative predictions: The second Weinberg sum rule does not hold for the difference of the ${K}^{*}$ and axial-${K}^{*}$ propagators, even for exact $\mathrm{SU}(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}(2)$; electromagnetic corrections require one subtraction proportional to the $I=1$, ${I}_{z}=0\ensuremath{\sigma}$ field; $\ensuremath{\eta}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3\ensuremath{\pi}$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}_{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2\ensuremath{\gamma}$ are allowed by current algebra. Octet dominance of nonleptonic weak processes can be understood, and a new form of superconvergence relation is deduced as a consequence. A generalization of the Bjorken limit is proposed.

1,493 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the behavior under SU3×SU3 of the hadron energy density and the closely related question of how the divergences of the axial-vector currents and the strangeness-changing vector currents transform under SU 3×SU 3.
Abstract: We investigate the behavior under SU3×SU3 of the hadron energy density and the closely related question of how the divergences of the axial-vector currents and the strangeness-changing vector currents transform under SU3×SU3. We assume that two terms in the energy density break SU3×SU3 symmetry; under SU3 one transforms as a singlet, the other as the member of an octet. The simplest possible behavior of these terms under chiral transformations is proposed: They are assigned to a single (3,3*)+(3*,3) representation of SU3×SU3 and parity together with the current divergences. The commutators of charges and current divergences are derived in terms of a single constant c that describes the strength of the SU3-breaking term relative to the chiral symmetry-breaking term. The constant c is found not to be small, as suggested earlier, but instead close to the value (-sqrt[2]) corresponding to an SU2×SU2 symmetry, realized mainly by massless pions rather than parity doubling. Some applications of the proposed commutation relations are given, mainly to the pseudoscalar mesons, and other applications are indicated.

1,475 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a general method is developed that enables us to determine the degree of divergence of unrenormalized Feynman amplitudes at such singularities, which is also applied to the determination of mass dependence of a total transition probability.
Abstract: Feynman amplitudes, regarded as functions of masses, exhibit various singularities when masses of internal and external lines are allowed to go to zero. In this paper, properties of these mass singularities, which may be defined as pathological solutions of the Landau condition, are studied in detail. A general method is developed that enables us to determine the degree of divergence of unrenormalized Feynman amplitudes at such singularities. It is also applied to the determination of mass dependence of a total transition probability. It is found that, although partial transition probabilities may have divergences associated with the vanishing of masses of particles in the final state, they always cancel each other in the calculation of total probability. However, this cancellation is partially destroyed if the charge renormalization is performed in a conventional manner. This is related to the fact that interacting particles lose their identity when their masses vanish. A new description of state and a new approach to the problem of renormalization seem to be required for a consistent treatment of this limit.

1,307 citations

Book
30 May 2011
TL;DR: In this article, a systematic treatment of perturbative QCD is given, giving an accurate account of the concepts, theorems and their justification, giving strong motivations for the methods.
Abstract: The most non-trivial of the established microscopic theories of physics is QCD: the theory of the strong interaction. A critical link between theory and experiment is provided by the methods of perturbative QCD, notably the well-known factorization theorems. Giving an accurate account of the concepts, theorems and their justification, this book is a systematic treatment of perturbative QCD. As well as giving a mathematical treatment, the book relates the concepts to experimental data, giving strong motivations for the methods. It also examines in detail transverse-momentum-dependent parton densities, an increasingly important subject not normally treated in other books. Ideal for graduate students starting their work in high-energy physics, it will also interest experienced researchers wanting a clear account of the subject.

928 citations