Constitutive Elements of Non-Abelian Gauge Theories

Abstract

A set, S, of constitutive elements characterizing mechanical theories is defined. In S, the role played by concepts such as mass, particle, fields and symmetry is discussed. This structure is first used to consider the Nöther's theorem from an algebraic point of view. As examples, we explore non-relativistic quantum mechanics and special relativistic particles. The set S is then applied to analyze non-abelian gauge theories, considering the Higgs mechanism for generation of mass.