The $\pi$-$\pi$ scattering amplitude calculated with a model for the quark-antiquark interaction in the framework of the covariant spectator theory (CST) is shown to satisfy the Adler zero constraint imposed by chiral symmetry. The CST formalism is established in Minkowski space and our calculations are performed in momentum space. We prove that the axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identity is satisfied by our model. Then we show that, similar to what happens within the Bethe-Salpeter formalism, application of the axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identity to the CST $\pi$-$\pi$ scattering amplitude allows us to sum the intermediate quark-quark interactions to all orders. The Adler self-consistency zero for $\pi$-$\pi$ scattering in the chiral limit emerges as the result for this sum.

We present a model for the quark-antiquark interaction formulated in Minkowski space using the Covariant Spectator Theory. The quark propagators are dressed with the same kernel that describes the interaction between different quarks. By applying the axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identity we show that our model satisfies the Adler-zero constraint imposed by chiral symmetry. For this model, our Minkowski-space results of the dressed quark mass function are compared to lattice QCD data obtained in Euclidean space. The mass function is then used in the calculation of the electromagnetic pion form factor in relativistic impulse approximation, and the results are presented and compared with the experimental data from JLab.

We study the meson spectra in the excited QCD vacua, denominated replicas. We find all mesons have real masses, with no tachyons, thus showing the QCD replicas are indeed metastable.

We study the meson spectra in the excited QCD vacua, denominated replicas. We find all mesons have real masses, with no tachyons, thus showing the QCD replicas are indeed metastable.

The pi-pi scattering amplitude calculated with a model for the quark-antiquark interaction in the framework of the Covariant Spectator Theory (CST) is shown to satisfy the Adler zero constraint imposed by chiral symmetry. The CST formalism is established in Minkowski space and our calculations are performed in momentum space. We prove that the axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identity is satisfied by our model. Then we show that, similar to what happens within the Bethe-Salpeter formalism, application of the axial-vector Ward-Takahashi identity to the CST pi-pi scattering amplitude allows us to sum the intermediate quark-quark interactions to all orders. The Adler self-consistency zero for pi-pi scattering in the chiral limit emerges as the result for this sum.