gauge theory

[ geyj theer-ee ]

noun

, Physics.

1. a type of field theory that describes elementary particles and their interactions:

   gauge theories involving nonlinear differential equations.

gauge theory

noun

1. physics a type of theory of elementary particles designed to explain the strong, weak, and electromagnetic interactions in terms of exchange of virtual particles

Word History and Origins

Origin of gauge theory¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

The Abel Prize cited “her pioneering achievements in geometric partial differential equations, gauge theory and integrable systems, and for the fundamental impact of her work on analysis, geometry and mathematical physics.”

From New York Times

Uhlenbeck, who is seventy-six and an emeritus professor at the University of Texas at Austin, has done revolutionary work across several disciplines; indeed, the academy lauded “her pioneering achievements in geometric partial differential equations, gauge theory and integrable systems, and for the fundamental impact of her work on analysis, geometry and mathematical physics.”

From The New Yorker

The academy cited her “pioneering achievements in geometric partial differential equations, gauge theory and integrable systems, and for the fundamental impact of her work on analysis, geometry and mathematical physics.”

From Scientific American

Gauge theory is a field where you did some of your most famous work.

From Scientific American

I would dearly love to understand something about gauge theory with non-compact groups, for example, but that’s a difficult subject.

From Scientific American