CaltechTHESIS
  A Caltech Library Service

Some Aspects of the Quantization of Theories with a Gauge Invariance

Citation

Siopsis, George (1987) Some Aspects of the Quantization of Theories with a Gauge Invariance. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/hf4w-dw98. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:08042017-154857683

Abstract

We discuss some problems that arise when one tries to quantize a theory that possesses gauge degrees of freedom. First, we identify the Gribov problem that is encountered when the Faddeev-Popov procedure of fixing the gauge is employed to define a perturbation expansion. We propose a modification of the procedure that takes this problem into account. We then apply this method to two-dimensional gauge theories where the exact answer is known. Second, we try to build chiral theories that are consistent in the presence of anomalies, without making use of additional degrees of freedom. We are able to solve the model exactly in two dimensions, arriving at a gauge-invariant theory. We discuss the four-dimensional case and also the application of this method to string theory. In the latter, we obtain a model that lives in arbitrary dimensions. However, we do not compute the spectrum of the model. Third, we investigate the possibility of compactifying the unwanted dimensions of superstrings on a group manifold. We give a complete list of conformally invariant models. We also discuss one-loop modular invariance. We consider both type-II and heterotic superstring theories. Fourth, we discuss quantization of string field theory. We start by presenting the lagrangian approach, to demonstrate the non-uniqueness of the measure in the path-integral. It is fixed by demanding unitarity, which manifests itself in the hamiltonian formulation, studied next.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Physics
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Major Option:Physics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Preskill, John P.
Group:Caltech Theory
Thesis Committee:
  • Preskill, John P. (chair)
  • Peck, Charles W.
  • Schwarz, John H.
  • Zachariasen, Fredrik
Defense Date:15 May 1987
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:08042017-154857683
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:08042017-154857683
DOI:10.7907/hf4w-dw98
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:10362
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Benjamin Perez
Deposited On:07 Aug 2017 21:39
Last Modified:16 Apr 2021 23:13

Thesis Files

[img]
Preview
PDF - Final Version
See Usage Policy.

34MB

Repository Staff Only: item control page