1964/07/01 by Murray Gell‐Mann · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Mathematics · #Particle physics theoretical and experimental studies #Quantum Chromodynamics and Particle Interactions #Neutrino Physics Research #Physics #Octet #Pseudovector #Pseudoscalar #Scalar (mathematics) #Symmetry group #Sum rule in quantum mechanics #Particle physics #Baryon #Mathematical physics #Meson #Quantum chromodynamics #Mathematics #Geometry
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physicsphysiquefizika.1.63
openalex publication_date 1964/07/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/04/05
We review, modify slightly, generalize, and attempt to apply a theory proposed earlier of a higher broken symmetry than the eightfold way. The integrals of the time components of the vector and axial vector current octets are assumed to generate, under equal time commutation, the algebra of SU(3)\phantom\rule0.25em0ex\ifmmode×\else\texttimes\fi\phantom\rule0.25em0exSU(3). The energy density of the strong interactions is assumed to consist of a piece invariant under the algebra, a piece that violates conservation of the axial vector currents only and belongs to the representation (3,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex3*) and (3*,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex3), and a piece that violates the eightfold way and probably belongs to (1,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex8) and (8,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex1). Assuming the algebraic structure is exactly correct, there is still the question of whether one can assign particles approximately to super-supermultiplets. The pseudoscalar meson octet, together with a pseudoscalar singlet, a scalar octet, and a scalar singlet, may belong to (3,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex3*) and (3*,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex3). The vector meson octet, together with an axial vector octet, may belong to (1,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex8) and (8,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex1). The baryon octet with J\phantom\rule0.15em0ex=\phantom\rule0.15em0ex1/2+, together with a singlet with J\phantom\rule0.15em0ex=\phantom\rule0.15em0ex1/2^\ensuremath-, may belong to (3,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex3*) and (3*,\phantom\rule0.25em0ex3), as suggested before. Several crude coupling patterns and mass rules emerge, to zeroth or first order in the symmetry violations. Some are roughly in agreement with experiment, but certain predictions, like that of the existence of a scalar octet, have not been verified. Whether or not they are useful as an approximate symmetry, the equal time commutation rules fix the scale of the weak interaction matrix elements. Further rules of this kind are found to hold in certain Lagrangian field theory models and may be true in reality. In particular, we encounter an algebraic system based on SU(6) that relates quantities with different kinds of behavior under Lorentz transformations.