What do the numbers in the table represent for the transformation of fields?

In summary, The numbers in the table represent the values assigned to different fields in the Dirac Lagrangian under local transformations of the groups U(1), SU(2), and SU(3). These numbers, known as hypercharge, the third column in the table, are arbitrary and cannot be deduced. Similarly, the first and second columns represent the values assigned to fields under transformations of the groups SU(2) and SU(3), which also have arbitrary choices for their representations.
  • #1
HerrBlatt
3
0
Homework Statement
Here is a table summarizing all left handed particles/ antiparticles. I don't know the relationship between these numbers and the Fermi field. What kind of character does it describe?
And if I only know the first and second column, how can I calculate the third?
Relevant Equations
No Equations.
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  • #2
The numbers are telling you what representations should you use to transform the fields. Let's see an example:
As we know the Dirac Lagrangian can be written as $$\mathscr{L}=\bar{\psi}\left(i\partial_\mu\gamma^\mu-m\right)\psi$$. Is easy to see that under a local transformation of group ##U(1)##, ##\psi'=e^{igY\theta}\psi## the Lagrangian is invariant. But note that ##Y## is an arbitrary number (a diagonal matrix if you work with more than one field). So for each field, you can assign a different value of ##Y##. That's the Hypercharge and it's the 3rd number of your table, and it's an input of SM, you cannot deduce it.
For the first two numbers is the same idea, imagine that, instead of one field you have two (or three) fields with the same mass, then you can write the Dirac Lagrangian as
$$\mathscr{L}=\begin{pmatrix}\bar{\psi}_1&\bar{\psi}_2\end{pmatrix}
\left(i\partial_{\mu}\begin{pmatrix}\gamma^\mu&0\\0&\gamma^\mu\end{pmatrix}-\begin{pmatrix}m&0\\0&m\end{pmatrix}\right)\begin{pmatrix}\psi_1\\\psi_2\end{pmatrix}$$
Now the Lagrangian is invariant under transformations of the group ##SU(2)##; $$\psi'=S\psi \qquad S=e^{ig_W\vec{T}\cdot \vec{\theta}}$$. But ##S## can belong to any representation of ##SU(2)##, so again we have an arbitrary choice of ##\vec{T}##. And that's what the second column of you table tell you. For those that transform with the trivial representation (1) ##\vec{T}=0\Longrightarrow S=I##, but for those that transform with the fundamental representation (2) ##\vec{T}=\frac{\vec{\sigma}}{2}## where ##\sigma## are the Pauli matrices. The same can be done with ##SU(3)##.
 

1. What is the significance of these numbers?

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5. Are these numbers reliable and accurate?

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