Dijkgraaf–Witten invariants of surfaces and projective representations of groups

We compute the Dijkgraaf–Witten invariants of surfaces in terms of projective representations of groups. As an application we prove that the complex Dijkgraaf–Witten invariants of surfaces of positive genus are positive integers.     

Galois relations on knot invariants

We discuss the existence of Galois relations obeyed by certain link invariants. Some of these relations have recently been identified and exploited within the context of conformal field theory and Lie/Kac-Moody representation theory. These relations should aid in computing knot invariants. They probably have an interpretation in terms of quasitriangular (quasi) Hopf algebras. They could also have a topological interpretation, and may serve as a concrete model for related ideas of Grothendieck, Drinfeld, Degiovanni, Ihara, and others.     

Simplicial gauge theory and quantum gauge theory simulation

We propose a general formulation of simplicial lattice gauge theory inspired by the finite element method. Numerical tests of convergence towards continuum results are performed for several SU(2) gauge fields. Additionally, we perform simplicial Monte Carlo quantum gauge field simulations involving measurements of the action as well as differently sized Wilson loops as functions of β.     

On the topological theory of self-dual connections over noncompact Riemann surfaces

A topological action for self-dual connections over noncompact Riemann surfaces is proposed. TheJ formulation and the associated linear system are obtained. A new connection is constructed, depending on a Kac-Moody parameter such that its flatness condition is theJ-equation associated to the self-dual problem. The algebra of infinitesimal Bäcklund transformations depending on this Kac-Moody parameter is constructed.     

Four-dimensional BF theory as a topological quantum field theory

Starting from a Lie group G whose Lie algebra is equipped with an invariant nondegenerate symmetric bilinear form, we show that four-dimensional BF theory with cosmological term gives rise to a TQFT satisfying a generalization of Atiyah's axioms to manifolds equipped with principal G-bundle. The case G=GL(4,) is especially interesting because every 4-manifold is then naturally equipped with a principal G-bundle, namely its frame bundle. In this case, the partition function of a compact oriented 4-manifold is the exponential of its signature, and the resulting TQFT is isomorphic to that constructed by Crane and Yetter using a state sum model, or by Broda using a surgery presentation of four-manifolds.     

Classical solutions to a quadratically nonlinear gauge theory

We present some classical solutions to a gauge theory based on quadratically nonlinear Lie algebras without a central term. We observe that instanton-like and meron-like solutions force the internal fields to behave like solitons.     

Modular inclusion,the Hawking temperature,and quantum field theory in curved spacetime

A recent result by Borchers connecting geometric modular action, modular inclusion and spectrum condition, is applied in quantum field theory on spacetimes with a bifurcate Killing horizon (these are generalizations of black-hole spacetimes, comprising the familiar black-hole spacetime models). Within this framework, we give sufficient, model-independent conditions ensuring that the temperature of thermal equilibrium quantum states is the Hawking temperature.     

Anyons associated with the generalized braid groups

We discuss the inequivalent quantization of a physical system with a configuration space which is a certain orbit space of the Coxeter group. The framework for the generalization of the anyon is given. Also, we construct a gauge field whose holonomy gives rise to the statistical factor of the corresponding anyon.     

Generalized link-invariants on 3-manifolds ∑h × [0, 1] from Chern-Simons gauge and gravity theories

We show that the recently found generalized Jones and Homfly polynomials for links in _h × [0, 1], where _h is a closed oriented Riemann surface, may be also obtained by the canonical quantization of a Chern-Simons non-Abelian gauge theory on _h × [0, 1]. As a particular case, one may consider the 2+1-dimensional Euclidean quantum gravity with a positive cosmological constant.     

Differential twisted K-theory and applications

In this paper, we develop differential twisted K-theory and define a twisted Chern character on twisted K-theory which depends on a choice of connection and curving on the twisting gerbe. We also establish the general Riemann–Roch theorem in twisted K-theory and find some applications in the study of twisted K-theory of compact simple Lie groups.     

Sato's universal Grassmannian and group extensions

An extension of the symmetry group GL of Sato's universal Grassmannian GM is constructed. The extension plays a similar role to that of the central extension in the approach of Segal and Wilson to functions and KP hierarchy. Our group G contains GL_res as a subgroup and the associated function is a deformation of the usual function, leading to a deformed KP hierarchy. A relation to current algebra of Yang-Mills theory in 3+1 dimension is discussed.     

Generalized measures in gauge theory

LetP M be a principalG-bundle. We construct well-defined analogs of Lebesgue measure on the spaceA of connections onP and Haar measure on the groupG of gauge transformations. More precisely, we define algebras of cylinder functions on the spacesA,G, andA/G, and define generalized measures on these spaces as continuous linear functionals on the corresponding algebras. Borrowing some ideas from lattice gauge theory, we characterize generalized measures onA,G, andA/G in terms of graphs embedded inM. We use this characterization to construct generalized measures onA andG whenG is compact. The uniform generalized measure onA is invariant under the group of automorphisms ofP. It projects down to the generalized measure onA/G considered by Ashtekar and Lewandowski in the caseG = SU(n). The generalized Haar measure onG is right- and left-invariant as well as Aut(P)-invariant. We show that averaging any generalized measure onA against generalized Haar measure gives aG-invariant generalized measure onA.     

Resummation of Mass Terms in Perturbative Massless Quantum Field Theory

The neutral massless scalar quantum field Φ in four-dimensional space-time is considered, which is subject to a simple bilinear self-interaction. Is is well-known from renormalization theory that adding a term of the form to the Lagrangean has the formal effect of shifting the particle mass from the original zero value to m after resummation of all two-leg insertions in the Feynman graphs appearing in the perturbative expansion of the S-matrix. However, this resummation is accompanied by some subtleties if done in a proper mathematical manner. Although the model seems to be almost trivial, is shows many interesting features which are useful for the understanding of the convergence behavior of perturbation theory in general. Some important facts in connection with the basic principles of quantum field theory and distribution theory are highlighted, and a remark is made on possible generalizations of the distribution spaces used in local quantum field theory. A short discussion how one can view the spontaneous breakdown of gauge symmetry in massive gauge theories within a massless framework is presented.      

Frame-like action and unfolded formulation for massive higher-spin fields

Unfolded equations of motion for symmetric massive bosonic fields of any spin in Minkowski and (A)dS$(A)\mathit{dS}$ spaces are presented. Manifestly gauge invariant action for a spin s?2$s?2$ massive field in any dimension is constructed in terms of gauge invariant curvatures.     

Affine Yang-Mills theory and affine self-dual Chern-Simons Solitons

A four-dimensional affine Yang-Mills theory, i.e. Yang—Mills gauge theory with values in an affine Kac-Moody algebra, is constructed which can give rise to a spontaneous breakdown of the affine symmetry. The affine self-dual Yang-Mills equation (which is a special kind of affine YM theory) in four dimensions is dimensionally reduced to the affine self-dual Chem-Simons equation in two dimensions. The latter is shown to have soliton solutions which satisfy the conformal affine Toda equations.K. C. Wong Research Award Winner; address after 28 October 1992: Department of Mathematics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.     

Elliptic Wess-Zumino-Witten model from elliptic Chern-Simons theory

This Letter continues the program aimed at analysing of the scalar product of states in the Chern-Simons theory. It treats the elliptic case with group SU₂. The formal scalar product is expressed as a multiple finite-dimensional integral which, if convergent for every state, provides the space of states with a Hilbert space structure. The convergence is checked for states with a single Wilson line where the integral expressions encode the Bethe Ansatz solutions of the Lamé equation. In relation to the Wess-Zumino-Witten conformal field theory, the scalar product renders unitary the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov-Bernard connection and gives a pairing between conformal blocks used to obtain the genus-one correlation functions.     

Existence theorems for π/n vortex scattering

The analysis of 90° vortex-vortex scattering is extended to /n scattering in all head-on collisions ofn vortices in the Abelian Higgs model. A Cauchy problem with initial data that describe the scattering ofn vortices is formulated. It is shown that this Cauchy problem has a unique global finite-energy solution. The symmetry of the solution and the form of the local analytic solution then show that /n scattering is realized.     

Loop Group-Valued CS and WZNW models,integrable systems,and self-dual Yang-Mills theory

Affine CS and WZNW theories with values in infinite-dimensional (loop) groups are proposed. It appears that the affine CS theory naturally introduces a spectral parameter into a CS theory. The Sinh-Gordon, KdV, and nonlinear Schrödinger equations are obtained, via Hamiltonian reductions, from the affine WZNW. It is shown that the self-dual Yang-Mills (SDYM) equation is related to the equation of motion of the affine WZNW and, thus, symmetry algebra underlying the SDYM can be identified with the affine two-loop Kac-Moody algebra of the affine WZNW.K. C. Wong Research Award Winner, address after 28 October 1992: Department of Mathematics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.