Transverse Symmetry Transformations and the Quark-Gluon Vertex Function in QCD

Abstract

The transverse symmetry transformations associated with the normal symmetry transformations in gauge theories are introduced, which at first are used to reproduce the transverse Ward-Takahashi identities in the Abelian theory QED. Then the transverse symmetry transformations associated with the BRST symmetry and chiral transformations in the non-Abelian theory QCD are used to derive the transverse Slavnov-Taylor identities for the vector and axial-vector quark-gluon vertices, respectively. Based on the set of normal and transverse Slavnov-Taylor identities, an expression of the quark-gluon vertex function is derived, which describes the constraints on the structure of the quark-gluon vertex imposed from the underlying gauge symmetry of QCD alone. Its role in the study of the Dyson-Schwinger equation for the quark propagator in QCD is discussed.