- #1
micomaco86572
- 54
- 0
What is the minimal coupling principle?
Is it some sort of a prescription?
Thx
Is it some sort of a prescription?
Thx
What Are Non-Minimal Couplings in Particle Interactions?
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the concept of non-minimal couplings in particle interactions, exploring the definitions and implications of minimal coupling and its extensions. Participants examine theoretical frameworks and examples related to particle physics, particularly in the context of electromagnetic interactions.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant asks about the minimal coupling principle and whether it is a prescription.
- Another participant suggests seeking the simplest form of any interaction term, indicating a focus on foundational concepts.
- A later post clarifies that "Minimal Coupling" refers to the introduction of electromagnetic interaction through a specific transformation involving momentum and gauge fields.
- It is noted that non-minimal couplings exist and arise in effective interactions between composite charged objects and gauge fields, with examples provided, such as the neutron's interaction with the electromagnetic field despite having zero electrical charge but a non-zero magnetic moment.
- Participants discuss that non-minimal coupling is relevant for neutral particles like mesons, emphasizing the underlying quark structure that leads to minimal coupling with the electromagnetic field.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express varying levels of understanding and interpretation of minimal and non-minimal couplings, with no consensus reached on the broader implications or definitions of these concepts.
Contextual Notes
Some assumptions about the definitions of minimal and non-minimal couplings remain unaddressed, and the discussion does not resolve the complexities involved in the interactions of composite particles.
- #2
ansgar
- 514
- 1
seek the simplest form of any interaction term
- #3
micomaco86572
- 54
- 0
ansgar said:
got it， thanks
- #4
Meir Achuz
Science Advisor
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"Minimal Coupling" usually refers to the introduction of the electromagnetic interaction by the transformation p --> (p-q A).
- #5
xepma
- 525
- 8
And for the record, non-minimal couplings do exist and pop up when you consider effective interactions between composite charged objects and the gauge field.
An example is the interaction of the neutron with the eletromagnetic field: the neutron has zero electrical charge, but non-zero magnetic moment and therefore still couples to the electromagnetic field. This coupling is non-minimal with respect to some effective neutron-field.
A similar idea applies to zero-charged mesons (i.e. the neutral pi particle)
In the end, this non-minimal coupling arises because the neutron is made up out of three quarks who do couple minimally to the electromagnetic field.
An example is the interaction of the neutron with the eletromagnetic field: the neutron has zero electrical charge, but non-zero magnetic moment and therefore still couples to the electromagnetic field. This coupling is non-minimal with respect to some effective neutron-field.
A similar idea applies to zero-charged mesons (i.e. the neutral pi particle)
In the end, this non-minimal coupling arises because the neutron is made up out of three quarks who do couple minimally to the electromagnetic field.
Last edited:
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