Space-time origin of gauge symmetry

Abstract

In this work I show by a first principles calculation that quantum states describing massive relativistic free spinning particles obey kinematical conditions whose origin can be traced to parity as a good quantum number. These conditions are at the root of the equations of motion and of the constraints satisfied by the corresponding fields. In the massless limit, well defined parity is lost but a symmetry emerges related to arbitrary changes in the unphysical parity components. It is shown that this emergent symmetry is the celebrated gauge symmetry.