Equivalence theorem at work: Manifestly gauge-invariant Abelian Higgs model physics

Abstract

We reconsider the equivalence theorem from an algebraic viewpoint, using an extended Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tuytin symmetry. This version of the equivalence theorem is then used to reexpress the Abelian Higgs model action, originally written in terms of undesirable gauge variant field excitations, in terms of gauge-invariant, physical variables, corresponding to the Fröhlich-Morchio-Strocchi composite operators in the original field formulation. Although the ensuing action encompasses an infinite number of vertices and appears to be nonrenormalizable from the power counting viewpoint, it nevertheless is renormalizable, thanks to the hidden equivalence with the original model. Hence, manifestly gauge-invariant computations are possible. We present an explicit illustration in terms of the gauge-invariant scalar field, its Green’s function and corresponding pole mass. Published by the American Physical Society 2025