Invariance under gauge transformations

Special Relativity and Electrodynamics (Spring, 2008)

May 26, 2008
Gauge theory.
Phase transformation of a complex wave function.
The electromagnetic vector potential appears in the covariant derivative.
The Action for the relativistic wave equation is invariant under a phase (gauge) transformation.
The electromagnetic field tensor is gauge invariant.
Topics: 
  • Complex field
  • Gauge transformation
  • Gauge covariant derivative
  • Symmetry and gauge transformations
  • Current vector
  • Conservation of charge
  • Charged particle in a magnetic field
  • Electromagnetic interaction term
  • Lagrangian for electromagnetics