Unraveling the Mystery of the Gluon's Wave Function

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of a gluon's wave function, specifically the terminology used to describe it. Participants explore the relationship between the vector potential A_\mu and the helicity \epsilon_\mu, questioning whether these terms are appropriately used in the context of gluons.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • earth2 questions whether the helicity \epsilon_\mu is correctly referred to as the wave function of a gluon, citing confusion from various papers.
  • Another participant argues that neither A_\mu nor \epsilon_\mu should be called a "wave function," suggesting that knowing a gluon's wave function would be a significant breakthrough.
  • earth2 seeks clarification on why some refer to these quantities as wave functions despite the contention.
  • A participant challenges the term "people," asking for specific names of those who use the term wave function in this context.
  • earth2 specifies that "people" refers to researchers in the amplitude business, prompting further inquiry for names from another participant.
  • One participant identifies themselves as part of the group but maintains their stance against calling it a wave function.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express disagreement regarding the terminology used to describe gluons' wave functions, with no consensus on whether A_\mu or \epsilon_\mu should be classified as such.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the ambiguity in terminology and the potential misuse of terms within the field, but does not resolve the underlying conceptual issues.

earth2
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Hi there,

I have question about a gluon's wave function.

First of all, I thought it is just the vector potential [tex]A_\mu[/tex] but I read several papers and they keep referring to the helicity [tex]\epsilon_\mu[/tex] as the wave function. At least this is what I understand from the context. See for instance (Peter Svrceks thesis, chapter 2) I don't understand that - is that just a misuse of terms? Where does it come from?

Cheers,
earth2
 
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I would not call EITHER the "wavefunction" - if you knew the wavefunction of the gluon, you can win $1,000,000 from the Clay Math Institute!

[itex]A^a_\mu[/itex] is the FIELD that annihilates a "gluon state" (another funny thing), and it is given in terms of the polarization tensor [itex]\epsilon_\mu[/itex]. So these two things are effectively equivalent.

But I wouldn't call either the "wavefunction".
 
Thanks a lot!
So, if it is not a real wf, why do people sometimes call it that way?

Cheers,
earth2
 
who are "people"?
 
Well, by people i mean those guys working in the amplitude business and writing papers about it :)
 
names, please! i can't respond without details!

i don't call it a wavefunction, but I consider myself one of "those guys"!
 

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