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Gauge transformations and conserved quantities in classical and quantum mechanics

  • Université de Lorraine
  • Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

We are taught that gauge transformations in classical and quantum mechanics do not change the physics of the problem. Nevertheless, here we discuss three broad scenarios where under gauge transformations: (i) conservation laws are not preserved in the usual manner; (ii) non-gaugeinvariant quantities can be associated with physical observables; and (iii) there are changes in the physical boundary conditions of the wave function that render it non-single-valued. We give worked examples that illustrate these points, in contrast to general opinions from classic texts. We also give a historical perspective on the development of Abelian gauge theory in relation to our particular points. Our aim is to provide a discussion of these issues at the graduate level.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)616-625
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Physics
Volume84
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Aug 2016
Externally publishedYes

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