Covariant calculations at finite temperature: The relativistic plasma

H. Arthur Weldon
Phys. Rev. D 26, 1394 – Published 15 September 1982
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

It is shown that finite-temperature calculations in field theory are manifestly Lorentz covariant at all stages if the Minkowski-space form of the temperature-dependent propagators is used and if the four-velocity uμ of the heat bath is taken into account. New tensor structures involving uμ generally arise but are severely constrained by covariant current conservation. A complete high-temperature (Tm) expansion of the vacuum polarization tensor for non-Abelian gauge theories is computed to order g2 and displays the separate dependence on frequency ω and wave number k that occurs at finite temperature. A covariant phenomenology of "electric" and "magnetic" properties is applied to the collective plasma effects, characterized by a plasma frequency ωp2=(Nf+2N)g2T26 for SU(N) with Nf fermions. The longitudinal normal modes of the "electric" field exist only for ω>ωp; for ω<ωp all "electric" fields are screened. The transverse normal modes are plane waves along Ẽ×B̃ for ω>ωp; for ω<ωp both transverse "electric" and "magnetic" fields are shielded except for the static (ω=0) case.

  • Received 15 March 1982

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.26.1394

©1982 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. Arthur Weldon

  • Department of Physics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 26, Iss. 6 — 15 September 1982

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review D

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×