Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking of SU(3)

jazznaz
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Homework Statement



The generators of SU(3) are the Gell Mann matrices, [tex]\lambda_a[/tex]. Consider symmetry breaking of an SU(3) theory generated by a triplet of complex scalar fields [tex]\Phi = \left(\phi_1, \phi_2, \phi_3\right)[/tex]. Assuming the corresponding potential has a minimum at [tex]\Phi_0 = \left(0,0,v\right)[/tex], write down the kinetic term of the scalar fields and extract the mass term of the gauge bosons.

Homework Equations



The covariant derivative is,

[tex]D_\mu \phi = \left(\partial_\mu - ig\frac{\lambda_a}{2} G^{a\nu}_{\mu} \right) \phi[/tex]

(I think)

The Attempt at a Solution



Started by writing the kinetic term as [tex]\|D_\mu \phi\|^2[/tex], but I'm having trouble getting to anything that looks vaguely like a mass term. :(

Any suggestions would be fantastic!
 
on Phys.org
The covariant derivative is similar to

[tex]D_\mu \phi = \left(\partial_\mu - ig\frac{\lambda_a}{2} G^{a\nu}_{\mu} \right) \phi[/tex]

but you might want to put in the rest of the indices to understand the structure. Also, you want to expand around the VEV, so let

[tex]\phi_i = \langle \phi_i \rangle + \varphi_i[/tex]

and expand the kinetic term, keeping track of all gauge index structure.
 

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