T4 gauge theory of gravity and new general relativity

We formulate a space-time translationT ₄ gauge theory of gravity on the Minkowski space-time with appropriate choice of the Lagrangian. By comparing the energy-momentum law of this theory with that of new general relativity constructed on the Weitzenböck space-time we find that in the classical limit the gauge potentials correspond to the parallel vector fields in the Weitzenböck space-time and the gauge field equation coincides with the field equation of gravity in new general relativity in the linearized version. Thus we conclude that in the classical limit theT ₄ gauge theory of gravity leads to the new general relativity.     

Analytic Tools to Brane Technology in N = 2 Gauge Theories with Matter

Exact solutions to the low-energy effective action (LEEA) of the four-dimensional N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories are known to be obtained either by quantum field theory methods from S-duality in the Seiberg-Witten approach, or by the Type-IIA superstring/M-Theory methods of brane technology. After a brief review of the standard field-theoretical results for the N = 2 gauge (Seiberg-Witten) LEEA, we consider a field-theoretical derivation of the exact hypermultiplet LEEA by using the N = 2 harmonic superspace methods. We illustrate our techniques on a number of explicit examples. Our main purpose, however, is to discuss the existing analytical (calculational) support for the alternative methods of brane technology. We summarize known exact solutions to the eleven-dimensional and ten-dimensional type-IIA supergravities, which describe classical configurations of intersecting BPS branes with eight supercharges relevant to the non-perturbative N = 2 gauge theory with fundamental hypermultiplet matter. The crucial role of the M-Theory in providing a classical resolution of singularities in the ten-dimensional (Type-IIA superstring) brane picture, as well as the N = 2 extended supersymmetry in four dimensions, are made manifest. The two approaches to a derivation of the exact N = 2 gauge theory LEEA are thus seen to be complementary to each other and mutually dependent.     

Gauge theories in the many-gluon limit

We argue that the idea that the dynamics of a gauge theory simplifies in the limit N → ∞, where N is the number of colors, can be invoked even if the gauge group is an exceptional Lie group, rather than one of the classical groups. We also point out that quantum tunneling phenomena can in some cases survive in the N → ∞ limit, contrary to the usual claim that the N → ∞ limit is “classical.”     

Superconformal Invariance and the Geography¶of Four-Manifolds

The correlation functions of supersymmetric gauge theories on a four-manifold X can sometimes be expressed in terms of topological invariants of X. We show how the existence of superconformal fixed points in the gauge theory can provide nontrivial information about four-manifold topology. In particular, in the example of gauge group SU(2) with one doublet hypermultiplet, we derive a theorem relating classical topological invariants such as the Euler character and signature to sum rules for Seiberg–Witten invariants. A short account of this paper can be found in [1]. Received: 19 December 1998 / Accepted: 7 March 1999     

Direct gauging of the Poincaré group V. Group scaling,classical gauge theory,and gravitational corrections

Homogeneous scaling of the group space of the Poincaré group,P ₁₀, is shown to induce scalings of all geometric quantities associated with the local action ofP ₁₀. The field equations for both the translation and the Lorentz rotation compensating fields reduce toO(1) equations if the scaling parameter is set equal to the general relativistic gravitational coupling constant 8Gc ^–4. Standard expansions of all field variables in power series in the scaling parameter give the following results. The zeroth-order field equations are exactly the classical field equations for matter fields on Minkowski space subject to local action of an internal symmetry group (classical gauge theory). The expansion process is shown to breakP ₁₀-gauge covariance of the theory, and hence solving the zeroth-order field equations imposes an implicit system ofP ₁₀-gauge conditions. Explicit systems of field equations are obtained for the first- and higher-order approximations. The first-order translation field equations are driven by the momentum-energy tensor of the matter and internal compensating fields in the zeroth order (classical gauge theory), while the first-order Lorentz rotation field equations are driven by the spin currents of the same classical gauge theory. Field equations for the first-order gravitational corrections to the matter fields and the gauge fields for the internal symmetry group are obtained. Direct Poincaré gauge theory is thus shown to satisfy the first two of the three-part acid test of any unified field theory. Satisfaction of the third part of the test, at least for finite neighborhoods, seems probable.     

Statistical mechanics and stability of random lattice field theory

The averaging procedure in the random lattice field theory is studied by viewing it as a statistical mechanics of a system of classical particles. The corresponding thermodynamic phase is shown to determine the random lattice configuration which contributes dominantly to the generating function. The non-abelian gauge theory in four (space plus time) dimensions in the annealed and quenched averaging versions is shown to exist as an ideal classical gas, implying that macroscopically homogeneous configurations dominate the configurational averaging. For the free massless scalar field theory with O(n) global symmetry, in the annealed average, the pressure becomes negative for dimensions greater than two when n exceeds a critical number. This implies that macroscopically inhomogeneous collapsed configurations contribute dominantly. In the quenched averaging, the collapse of the massless scalar field theory is prevented and the system becomes an ideal gas which is at infinite temperature. Our results are obtained using exact scaling analysis. We also show approximately that SU(N) gauge theory collapses for dimensions greater than four in the annealed average. Within the same approximation, the collapse is prevented in the quenched average. We also obtain exact scaling differential equations satisfied by the generating function and physical quantities.     

The Role of Time in Relational Quantum Theories

We propose a solution to the problem of time for systems with a single global Hamiltonian constraint. Our solution stems from the observation that, for these theories, conventional gauge theory methods fail to capture the full classical dynamics of the system and must therefore be deemed inappropriate. We propose a new strategy for consistently quantizing systems with a relational notion of time that does capture the full classical dynamics of the system and allows for evolution parametrized by an equitable internal clock. This proposal contains the minimal temporal structure necessary to retain the ordering of events required to describe classical evolution. In the context of shape dynamics (an equivalent formulation of general relativity that is locally scale invariant and free of the local problem of time) our proposal can be shown to constitute a natural methodology for describing dynamical evolution in quantum gravity and to lead to a quantum theory analogous to the Dirac quantization of unimodular gravity.     

The Donaldson–Witten Function for Gauge Groups of Rank Larger Than One

We study correlation functions in topologically twisted , d=4 supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory for gauge groups of rank larger than one on compact four-manifolds X. We find that the topological invariance of the generator of correlation functions of BRST invariant observables is not spoiled by noncompactness of field space. We show how to express the correlators on simply connected manifolds of b _2,+(X)>0 in terms of Seiberg–Witten invariants and the classical cohomology ring of X. For manifolds X of simple type and gauge group SU(N) we give explicit expressions of the correlators as a sum over =1 vacua. We describe two applications of our expressions, one to superconformal field theory and one to large N expansions of SU(N) , d=4 supersymmetric Yang–Mills theory. Received: 30 March 1998 / Accepted: 17 April 1998     

Global Gauge Anomalies in Two-Dimensional Bosonic Sigma Models

We revisit the gauging of rigid symmetries in two-dimensional bosonic sigma models with a Wess-Zumino term in the action. Such a term is related to a background closed 3-form H on the target space. More exactly, the sigma-model Feynman amplitudes of classical fields are associated to a bundle gerbe with connection of curvature H over the target space. Under conditions that were unraveled more than twenty years ago, the classical amplitudes may be coupled to the topologically trivial gauge fields of the symmetry group in a way which assures infinitesimal gauge invariance. We show that the resulting gauged Wess-Zumino amplitudes may, nevertheless, exhibit global gauge anomalies that we fully classify. The general results are illustrated on the example of the WZW and the coset models of conformal field theory. The latter are shown to be inconsistent in the presence of global anomalies. We introduce a notion of equivariant gerbes that allow an anomaly-free coupling of the Wess-Zumino amplitudes to all gauge fields, including the ones in non-trivial principal bundles. Obstructions to the existence of equivariant gerbes and their classification are discussed. The choice of different equivariant structures on the same bundle gerbe gives rise to a new type of discrete-torsion ambiguities in the gauged amplitudes. An explicit construction of gerbes equivariant with respect to the adjoint symmetries over compact simply connected simple Lie groups is given.     

Moduli Space of BPS Walls in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories

Existence and uniqueness of the solution are proved for the ‘master equation’ derived from the BPS equation for the vector multiplet scalar in the U(1) gauge theory with N _F charged matter hypermultiplets with eight supercharges. This proof establishes that the solutions of the BPS equations are completely characterized by the moduli matrices divided by the V-equivalence relation for the gauge theory at finite gauge couplings. Therefore the moduli space at finite gauge couplings is topologically the same manifold as that at infinite gauge coupling, where the gauged linear sigma model reduces to a nonlinear sigma model. The proof is extended to the U(N _C) gauge theory with N _F hypermultiplets in the fundamental representation, provided the moduli matrix of the domain wall solution is U(1)-factorizable. Thus the dimension of the moduli space of U(N _C) gauge theory is bounded from below by the dimension of the U(1)-factorizable part of the moduli space. We also obtain sharp estimates of the asymptotic exponential decay which depend on both the gauge coupling and the hypermultiplet mass differences.     

The QCD Hamiltonian and nonlinear quantum mechanics

We study the canonical quantization of SU(N) gauge theory in linear, noncovariant gauges. The canonical formalism is first discussed for the classical theory, with special attention to the features involving nonlinearity and the gauge degrees of freedom. The transition to the quantum theory is then performed for an arbitrary linear gauge, using the covariant quantization rules of nonlinear quantum mechanics. When the quantum Hamiltonian is written in the Weyl-ordered form appropriate for the application of the usual Dyson-Wick perturbative techniques, additional ordering terms appear with respects to the classical Hamiltonian. We discuss the relation of our results to those of previous authors, and the relevance of the ordering terms in field theory.     

A purely algebraic construction of a gauge and renormalization group invariant scalar glueball operator

This paper presents a complete algebraic proof of the renormalizability of the gauge invariant d=4 operator F _{μ ν} ²(x) to all orders of perturbation theory in pure Yang–Mills gauge theory, whereby working in the Landau gauge. This renormalization is far from being trivial as mixing occurs with other d=4 gauge variant operators, which we identify explicitly. We determine the mixing matrix Z to all orders in perturbation theory by using only algebraic arguments and consequently we can uncover a renormalization group invariant by using the anomalous dimension matrix Γ derived from Z. We also present a future plan for calculating the mass of the lightest scalar glueball with the help of the framework we have set up.     

Topological order and conformal quantum critical points

We discuss a certain class of two-dimensional quantum systems which exhibit conventional order and topological order, as well as quantum critical points separating these phases. All of the ground-state equal-time correlators of these theories are equal to correlation functions of a local two-dimensional classical model. The critical points therefore exhibit a time-independent form of conformal invariance. These theories characterize the universality classes of two-dimensional quantum dimer models and of quantum generalizations of the eight-vertex model, as well as and non-abelian gauge theories. The conformal quantum critical points are relatives of the Lifshitz points of three-dimensional anisotropic classical systems such as smectic liquid crystals. In particular, the ground-state wave functional of these quantum Lifshitz points is just the statistical (Gibbs) weight of the ordinary two-dimensional free boson, the two-dimensional Gaussian model. The full phase diagram for the quantum eight-vertex model exhibits quantum critical lines with continuously varying critical exponents separating phases with long-range order from a deconfined topologically ordered liquid phase. We show how similar ideas also apply to a well-known field theory with non-Abelian symmetry, the strong-coupling limit of 2+1-dimensional Yang–Mills gauge theory with a Chern–Simons term. The ground state of this theory is relevant for recent theories of topological quantum computation.     

A note about the t’Hooft ansatz for SU(N) real-time gauge theories

The t’Hooft ansatz, which reduces the classical Yang-Mills theory to the λϕ⁴ one, is under consideration. It is shown that, in the framework of this ansatz, the real-time classical solutions for the arbitrary SU(N) gauge group are obtained by embedding SU(2) × SU(2) into SU(N). It is argued that this group structure is the only possibility in the framework of the considered ansatz. New explicit solutions for SU(3) and SU(5) gauge groups are shown. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

On unconstrained SU(2) gluodynamics with theta angle

The Hamiltonian reduction of classical SU(2) Yang–Mills field theory to the equivalent unconstrained theory of gauge invariant local dynamical variables is generalized to the case of nonvanishing -angle. It is shown that for any -angle the elimination of the pure gauge degrees of freedom leads to a corresponding unconstrained non-local theory of self-interacting second rank symmetric tensor fields, and that the obtained classical unconstrained gluodynamics with different -angles are canonically equivalent as on the original constrained level. Received: 16 November 2001 / Published online: 5 April 2002     

Color Superconductivity in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories

The studies of superconductivity, dual superconductivity and color superconductivity have been undertaken through the breaking of supersymmetric gauge theories which automatically incorporate the condensation of monopoles and dyons leading to confining and superconducting phases. Constructing the total effective Lagrangian of N=2 SU(2) gauge theory with N _f =2 quark multiplets and quark chemical potential at classical and quantum levels, it has been demonstrated that baryon number symmetry is spontaneously broken as a consequence of the SU(2) strong gauge dynamics and the color superconductivity dynamically takes space at the non-SUSY vacuum.     

Heisenberg Equations of Motion in a Nonabelian Gauge Theory

Heisenberg type equations of motion are established in a nonabelian gauge theory with minimal and nonminimal couplings and various relativistic particle equations of motion are derived from them. These equations for pointlike particles possessing a nonabelian gauge interaction (chosen for definiteness to be of SO(4,1) type) ore obtained in classical limit, ħ → 0, or in a semiclassical limit in which contributions of first order in ħ are retained. As a byproduct of the formalism, which can be applied to an arbitrary gauge group, a simple derivation of the Lorentz equation and the Bargmann-Michel-Telegdi equation from spinor electrodynamics with anomalous (i.e. nonminimal) coupling is given starting from the associated quantum mechanical Heisenberg equations of motion and specializing the gauge group to the electromagnetic U(1) group.     

Some Remarks on the Higgs Mechanism

We show that at least one of the auxiliary one-component fields in the Higgs Model – the field ϕ – is not a Lorentz scalar and that it is probably not local with respect to the current. Our conclusion is that we cannot prescribe to the field ϕ a direct physical meaning. In case ϕ is not local with respect to the current it is likely that the zero eigenvalue of the mass operator does not appear in the theory at all. In case ϕ is quasilocal with respect to j₀, such an eigenvalue appears at least in the original Model and the mass spectrum can be different for different versions of the Model. We conjecture that this can be explained with help of the theory of unitarily inequivalent representations. We display the difficulty in translating into the quantal language the classical procedure leading from the original Model to the variant of unitary gauge. We hope that with help of unitarily inequivalent representations this difficulty can be resolved. We exhibit the fact that in the Higgs Model the whole gauge group does not have a direct physical meaning, in contradistinction to electrodynamics, where the local gauge group only has no physical significance.     

Superstring on pp-wave orbifold from large-N quiver gauge theory

We extend the proposal of Berenstein, Maldacena and Nastase to the Type IIB superstring propagating on a pp-wave over the R ⁴/Z _k orbifold. We show that first-quantized free string theory is described correctly by the large-N, fixed gauge coupling limit of [U(N)] ^k quiver gauge theory. We propose a precise map between gauge theory operators and string states for both untwisted and twisted sectors. We also compute leading-order perturbative correction to the anomalous dimensions of these operators. The result is in agreement with the value deduced from the string energy spectrum, thus substantiating our proposed operator-state map. Received: 14 March 2002 / Published online: 5 July 2002