This monograph describes the pinch technique and its evolution from simple one-loop beginnings to a systematic method at all orders of perturbation theory and then to fully gauge-invariant Schwinger–Dyson equations, leading to its many applications. This 2011 title has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.
Non-Abelian gauge theories, such as quantum chromodynamics (QCD) or electroweak theory, are best studied with the aid of Green's functions that are gauge-invariant off-shell, but unlike for the photon in quantum electrodynamics, conventional graphical constructions fail. The pinch technique provides a systematic framework for constructing such Green's functions, and has many useful applications. Beginning with elementary one-loop examples, this book goes on to extend the method to all orders, showing that the pinch technique is equivalent to calculations in the background field Feynman gauge. The Schwinger–Dyson equations are derived within the pinch technique framework, and are used to show how a dynamical gluon mass arises in QCD. Finally the volume turns to its many applications. This book is ideal for elementary particle theorists and graduate students. This 2011 title has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.
Muu info
This monograph describes the pinch technique within elementary particle theory; it is now available as an Open Access book.
Introduction;
1. The pinch technique at one loop;
2. Advanced pinch
technique still one loop;
3. Pinch technique to all orders;
4. The pinch
technique in the BatalinVilkovisky framework;
5. The gauge technique;
6.
SchwingerDyson equations in the pinch technique framework;
7.
Non-perturbative gluon mass and quantum solitons;
8. Nexuses, sphalerons, and
fractional topological charge;
9. A brief summary of d=3 NAGTs;
10. The pinch
technique for electroweak theory;
11. Other applications of the pinch
technique; Appendix; Index.
John M. Cornwall is Distinguished Professor of Physics Emeritus in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles. Inventor of the pinch technique, he has made many other contributions to the formalism and applications of quantum field theory, as well as to space plasma physics. He has contributed to the technical analysis of many public policy issues, ranging from ballistic missile defense to the human genome. Joannis Papavassiliou is a researcher in the Department of Theoretical Physics and IFIC, the University of ValenciaCSIC. A large part of his work has been devoted to the development of the pinch technique, both its formal foundation and its many applications, and he has published articles on quantum field theory and particle phenomenology. Daniele Binosi is a researcher at the European Centre for Theoretical Studies in Nuclear Physics and Related Areas (ECT*) and Fondazione Bruno Kessler. In addition to his work on extending the pinch technique and its applications, he leads several policy-related European projects on the development of the vision and sustainability of quantum information foundations and technologies.
