On the Gribov Problem for Generalized Connections

 The bundle structure of the space of Ashtekar's generalized connections is investigated in the compact case. It is proven that every stratum is a locally trivial fibre bundle. The only stratum being a principal fibre bundle is the generic stratum. Its structure group equals the space of all generalized gauge transforms modulo the constant center-valued gauge transforms. For abelian gauge theories the generic stratum is globally trivial and equals the total space . However, for a certain class of non-abelian gauge theories – e.g., all SU(N) theories – the generic stratum is nontrivial. This means, there are no global gauge fixings – the so-called Gribov problem. Nevertheless, for many physical measures there is a covering of the generic stratum by trivializations each having total measure 1. Finally, possible physical consequences and the relation between fundamental modular domains and Gribov horizons are discussed. Received: 4 March 2002 / Accepted: 20 August 2002 Published online: 30 January 2003 Communicated by H. Nicolai     

Twisted Gauge Theories

Gauge theories on a space-time that is deformed by the Moyal–Weyl product are constructed by twisting the coproduct for gauge transformations. This way a deformed Leibniz rule is obtained, which is used to construct gauge invariant quantities. The connection will be enveloping algebra valued in a particular representation of the Lie algebra. This gives rise to additional fields, which couple only weakly via the deformation parameter θ and reduce in the commutative limit to free fields. Consistent field equations that lead to conservation laws are derived and some properties of such theories are discussed.     

Dynamical supersymmetry breaking and gauge anomalies

Some aspects of supersymmetric gauge theories and discussed. It is shown that dynamical supersymmetry breaking does not occur in supersymmetric QED in higher dimensions. The cancellation of both local (perturbative) and global (non-perturbative) gauge anomalies are also discussed in supersymmetric gauge theories. We argue that there is no dynamical supersymmetry breaking in higher dimensions in any supersymmetric gauge theories free of gauge anomalies. It is also shown that for supersymmetric gauge theories in higher dimensions with a compact connected simple gauge group, when the local anomaly-free condition is satisfied, there can be at most a possibleZ ₂ global gauge anomaly in extended supersymmetricSO(10) (or spin (10)) gauge theories inD=10 dimensions containing additional Weyl fermions in a spinor representation ofSO(10) (or spin (10)). In four dimensions with local anomaly-free condition satisfied, the only possible global gauge anomalies in supersymmetric gauge theories areZ ₂ global gauge anomalies for extended supersymmetricSP(2N) (N=rank) gauge theories containing additional Weyl fermions in a representation ofSP(2N) with an odd 2nd-order Dynkin index.     

Quantum Wall Crossing in $${{\mathcal N}=2}$$ Gauge Theories

We study refined and motivic wall-crossing formulas in N=2{{\mathcal N}=2} supersymmetric gauge theories with SU(2) gauge group and N _f < 4 matter hypermultiplets in the fundamental representation. Such gauge theories provide an excellent testing ground for the conjecture that “refined = motivic.”     

Implicit regularization beyond one-loop order: gauge field theories

We extend a constrained version of implicit regularization (CIR) beyond one-loop order for gauge field theories. In this framework, the ultraviolet content of the model is displayed in terms of momentum loop integrals order by order in perturbation theory for any Feynman diagram, while the Ward–Slavnov–Taylor identities are controlled by finite surface terms. To illustrate, we apply CIR to massless abelian gauge field theories (scalar and spinorial QED) to two-loop order and calculate the two-loop beta-function of spinorial QED. PACS  11.10.Gh; 11.15.Bt; 11.15.-q     

Spin and mass content of linearized Poincaré gauge theories

A unified gauge theory of massless and massive spin-2 fields is of considerable current interest. The Poincaré gauge theories with quadratic Lagrangian are linearized, and the conditions on the parameters are found which will lead to viable linear theories with massive gauge particles. As well as the 2⁺ massless gravitons coming from the translational gauge potential, the rotational gauge potentials, in the linearized limit, give rise to 2⁺ and 2⁻ particles of equal mass, as well as a massive pseudoscalar.     

Large-N lattice models with mixed actions

U(N) lattice gauge theories and spin systems with mixed fundamental and adjoint representation actions are studied. Exact results are found for two-dimensional gauge theories and one-dimensional spin chains. Phase diagrams for higher-dimensional systems are found using mean field theory. Various implications of this work are discussed.     

Renormalization group approach to QCD phase transitions

Effective scalar theories for QCD are proposed to investigate the deconfining and chiral phase transitions. The orders of the phase transitions are determined by infrared stabilities of the fixed points. It is found that the transitions inSU (3) gauge theories are of 1st order for any number of massless flavors. The cases ofSU (2) andSU (4) gauge theories are also discussed.     

Parametric Representation of “Covariant” Noncommutative QFT Models

We extend the parametric representation of renormalizable non commutative quantum field theories to a class of theories which we call “covariant”, because their power counting is definitely more difficult to obtain.This class of theories is important since it includes gauge theories, which should be relevant for the quantum Hall effect.     

Progress in lattice gauge theory

Two topics of lattice gauge theory are reviewed. They include string tension and β-function calculations by strong coupling Hamiltonian methods for SU(3) gauge fields in 3 + 1 dimensions, and a 1/N-expansion for discrete gauge and spin systems in all dimensions. The SU(3) calculations give solid evidence for the coexistence of quark confinement and asymptotic freedom in the renormalized continuum limit of the lattice theory. The crossover between weak and strong coupling behavior in the theory is seen to be a weak coupling but non-perturbative effect. Quantitative relationships between perturbative and non-perturbative renormalization schemes are obtained for the O(N) nonlinear sigma models in 1 + 1 dimensions as well as the range theory in 3 + 1 dimensions. Analysis of the strong coupling expansion of the β-function for gauge fields suggests that it has cuts in the complex 1/g²-plane. A toy model of such a cut structure which naturally explains the abruptness of the theory's crossover from weak to strong coupling is presented. The relation of these cuts to other approaches to gauge field dynamics is discussed briefly.The dynamics underlying first order phase transitions in a wide class of lattice gauge theories is exposed by considering a class of models-P(N) gauge theories - which are soluble in the N → ∞ limit and have non-trivial phase diagrams. The first order character of the phase transitions in Potts spin systems for N #62; 4 in 1 + 1 dimensions is explained in simple terms which generalizes to P(N) gauge systems in higher dimensions. The phase diagram of Ising lattice gauge theory coupled to matter fields is obtained in a $\text{1}\text{N}$ expansion. A one-plaquette model (1 time-0 space dimensions) with a first-order phase transitions in the N → ∞ limit is discussed.     

Monte Carlo computations in lattice gauge theories

The formulation of gauge theories on Euclidean space-time lattices and the application of the Monte Carlo computational technique to the ensuing systems are reviewed. A variety of numerical results obtained for lattice gauge theories are presented and discussed.     

Vacuum structure in gauge theories. The problem of strong CP violation and cosmology

An interplay between vacuum structure in gauge theories and cosmology is discussed and a possible solution of the strong CP violation problem in gauge theories is suggested.     

Exotic Tensor Gauge Theory and Duality

 Gauge fields in exotic representations of the Lorentz group in D dimensions – i.e. ones which are tensors of mixed symmetry corresponding to Young tableaux with arbitrary numbers of rows and columns – naturally arise through massive string modes and in dualising gravity and other theories in higher dimensions. We generalise the formalism of differential forms to allow the discussion of arbitrary gauge fields. We present the gauge symmetries, field strengths, field equations and actions for the free theory, and construct the various dual theories. In particular, we discuss linearised gravity in arbitrary dimensions, and its two dual forms. Received: 9 September 2002 / Accepted: 22 October 2002 Published online: 21 February 2003 Communicated by A. Connes     

Transformation properties of proper vertices in gauge theories

The Ward-Takahashi identities for (single-particle irreducible) proper vertices are derived for non-Abelian gauge theories; the renormalization of such theories, previously discussed in terms of the Ward-Takahashi identities for Green functions, can now be considerably simplified.     

Exact magnetic monopole solutions in Yang-Mills and unified gauge theories

We study the magnetic monopoles in non-Abelian gauge theories. The exact static, spherically symmetric solutions of the magnetic monopoles in both Yang-Mills and unified gauge theories are obtained. The energyE of the static system is calculable and it is either zero or infinite. The existence of the magnetic monopole solution is a consequence of symmetry rather than dynamics. We propose a new definition of the electromagnetic field tensor, which relates the static solution of gauge fields and the magnetic monopole solution. Experimental implications are discussed.     

U(1) gauge field theory on κ-Minkowski space

This study of U(1) gauge field theory on the kappa-deformed Minkowski space-time extends previous work on gauge field theories on this type of noncommutative space-time.We construct the conserved gauge current, fix part of the ambiguities in the Seiberg-Witten map and obtain an effective U(1) action invariant under the action of the undeformed Poincare group. Presented at the International Colloquium “Integrable Systems and Quantum Symmetries”, Prague, 16–18 June 2005.     

BRST analysis of topologically massive gauge theory: novel observations

A dynamical non-Abelian 2-form gauge theory (with B∧F term) is endowed with the “scalar” and “vector” gauge symmetry transformations. In our present endeavor, we exploit the latter gauge symmetry transformations and perform the Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) analysis of the four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) topologically massive non-Abelian 2-form gauge theory. We demonstrate the existence of some novel features that have, hitherto, not been observed in the context of BRST approach to 4D (non-)Abelian 1-form as well as Abelian 2-form and 3-form gauge theories. We comment on the differences between the novel features that emerge in the BRST analysis of the “scalar” and “vector” gauge symmetries.     

Entanglement entropy in Abelian gauge theories

The definition of geometric entanglement entropy associated with some region in space is discussed for the case of gauge theories. It is argued that since in gauge theories elementary excitations look like loops (closed electric strings) rather than points (particles), the boundaries of the regions should also carry some nonzero entropy. This entropy counts the number of strings which cross these boundaries. Explicit calculations of such entropy are carried out in the limits of infinitely strong and weak couplings of three- and four-dimensional Z _N gauge theories. In three dimensions we find that the entropy is a constant which does not depend on the region, while in four dimensions the familiar area law for the entropy is recovered.     

Internal space decimation for lattice gauge theories

By a systematic decimation of internal space lattice gauge theories with continuous symmetry groups are mapped into effective lattice gauge theories with finite symmetry groups. The decimation of internal space makes a larger lattice tractable with the same computational resources. In this sense the method is an alternative to Wilson's and Symanzik's programs of improved actions. As an illustrative test of the method U(1) is decimated to Z(N) and the results compared with Monte Carlo data for Z(4)- and Z(5)-invariant lattice gauge theories. The result of decimating SU(3) to its 1080-element crystal-group-like subgroup is given and discussed.     

Scalar lattice gauge theory

Scalar lattice gauge theories are models for scalar fields with local gauge symmetries. No fundamental gauge fields, or link variables in a lattice regularization, are introduced. The latter rather emerge as collective excitations composed from scalars. For suitable parameters scalar lattice gauge theories lead to confinement, with all continuum observables identical to usual lattice gauge theories. These models or their fermionic counterpart may be helpful for a realization of gauge theories by ultracold atoms. We conclude that the gauge bosons of the standard model of particle physics can arise as collective fields within models formulated for other “fundamental” degrees of freedom.