Chiral Perturbation Theory

Abstract

A short overview of the current state of Chiral Perturbation Theory is given. This includes a description of the basic assumptions, the usefulness of the external field method is emphasized using a simple lowest order example. Then at next-to-leading order the determination of the parameters is discussed. We also present the status of calculations at $\mathcal{O}(p^6)$. Finally I present the extension into 3 directions: estimates of the free parameters, inclusion of nonleptonic weak and electromagnetic interactions, and inclusion of non-Goldstone fields in the chiral Lagrangian. Invited Talk at the International Workshop on Nuclear \& Particle Physics ``Chiral Dynamics in Hadrons \& Nuclei,'' Feb 6 $\sim$ Feb 10, 1995, Seoul, Korea.

Comments: 19 pages, 4 postscript figures (included), LaTeX, uses epsf.sty