2016/03/03 by Fernando Haas, Haas, Fernando
Physics and Astronomy · #35L65 #70S10 #83A05 #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #FOS: Physical sciences #General Physics (physics.gen-ph) #General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology (gr-qc) #Pulsars and Gravitational Waves Research #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #gr-qc #msc:35L65 #msc:70S10 #msc:83A05 #physics.gen-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1603.02910
Revised version
openalex publication_date 2016/03/03 · arxiv created 2016/03/16 · arxiv updated 2016/03/17 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
A didactic and systematic derivation of Noether point symmetries and conserved currents is put forward in special relativistic field theories, without a priori assumptions about the transformation laws. Given the Lagrangian density, the invariance condition develops as a set of partial differential equations determining the symmetry transformation. The solution is provided in the case of real scalar, complex scalar, free electromagnetic, and charged electromagnetic fields. Besides the usual conservation laws, a less popular symmetry is analyzed: the symmetry associated with the linear superposition of solutions, whenever applicable. The role of gauge invariance is emphasized. The case of the charged scalar particle under external electromagnetic fields is considered, and the accompanying Noether point symmetries determined.