The geometry of minimal replacement for the Poincaré group

The constructs of this paper rest on two elementary facts: (1) the Poincaré group P₁₀ is the maximal group of isometries of Minkowski space-time M₄; (2) P₁₀ has a faithful matrix representation as a subgroup of GL(5, R) that maps an affine set into itself. Local action of P₁₀ and Yang-Mills minimal replacement are shown to induce a well-defined minimal replacement operator that maps the tensor algebra over M₄ onto the tensor algebra over a new space-time U₄. The natural frame and coframe fields of M₄ go over into a canonical system of frame and coframe fields of U₄ with both translation and Lorentz-rotation parts. The coframe fields define soldering 1-form fields for U₄ that give rise to the standard geometric quantities through the Cartan equations of structure. This leads to unique determinations of all relevant connection coefficients and the associated 2-forms of curvature and torsion that involve the compensating 1-forms for local action of both the translation and the Lorentz-rotation sectors. The metric tensor of U₄, that is induced by the minimal replacement operator, is shown to satisfy the Ricci lemma; U₄ is necessarily a Riemann-Cartan space. This space admits gauge covariant constant basis fields for the Lie algebra of the Lorentz group and for the Dirac algebra. The induced basis for the Dirac algebra evaluates the images of Dirac operators under minimal replacement, while the induced basis for the Lie algebra of L(4, R) serves to show that the holonomy group of U₄ is the Lorentz group. The minimal replacement operator is extended to include the case of a total gauge group that is the direct product of the Poincaré group and a Lie group of internal symmetries of matter fields. This provides a precise method of lifting any action integral of the matter fields from M₄ up to U₄ so that invariance properties are retained when the total group acts locally. The natural representations afforded by minimal replacement result in curvature being evaluated in terms of first order derivatives of the compensating fields that share many properties in common with the Dirac derivation algebra for spin fields. Direct interpretations of the compensating fields are obtained from the geodesic equations.     

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.     

Actions for non-abelian twisted self-duality

The dynamics of abelian vector and antisymmetric tensor gauge fields can be described in terms of twisted self-duality equations. These first-order equations relate the p-form fields to their dual forms by demanding that their respective field strengths are dual to each other. It is well known that such equations can be integrated to a local action that carries on equal footing the p-forms together with their duals and is manifestly duality invariant. Space-time covariance is no longer manifest but still present with a non-standard realization of space-time diffeomorphisms on the gauge fields. In this paper, we give a non-abelian generalization of this first-order action by gauging part of its global symmetries. The resulting field equations are non-abelian versions of the twisted self-duality equations. A key element in the construction is the introduction of proper couplings to higher-rank tensor fields. We discuss possible applications (to Yang-Mills and supergravity theories) and comment on the relation to previous no-go theorems.     

Global existence of coupled Yang-Mills and scalar fields in 2 + 1 dimensional space-time

We present results on the Cauchy problem for coupled classical Yang-Mills and scalar fields in n + 1 dimensional space-time both in the temporal and in the Lorentz gauge. We prove the existence of local solutions for any n, and the existence of global solutions for n = 1, 2 in the temporal gauge and for n = 1 in the Lorentz gauge. The last result also holds for massive Yang-Mill fields.     

Operator-valued connections,Lie connections,and Gauge field theory

Noether's first theorem tells us that the global symmetry groupG _r of an action integral is a Lie group of point transformations that acts on the Cartesian product of the space-time manifold with the space of states and their derivatives. Gauge theory constructs are thus required for symmetry groups that act indiscriminately on the independent and dependent variables where the group structure can not necessarily be realized as a subgroup of the general linear group. Noting that the Lie algebra of a general symmetry groupG _r can be realized as a Lie algebrag _r of Lie derivatives on an appropriately structured manifold,G _r -covariant derivatives are introduced through study of connection 1-forms that take their values in the Lie algebrag _r of Lie derivatives (operator-valued connections). This leads to a general theory of operator-valued curvature 2-forms and to the important special class of Lie connections. The latter are naturally associated with the minimal replacement and minimal coupling constructs of gauge theory when the symmetry groupG _r is allowed to act locally. Lie connections give rise to the gauge fields that compensate for the local action ofG _r in a natural way. All governing field equations and their integrability conditions are derived for an arbitrary finite dimensional Lie group of symmetries. The case whereG _r contains the ten-parameter Poincaré group on a flat space-timeM ₄ is considered. The Lorentz structure ofM ₄ is shown to give a pseudo-Riemannian structure of signature 2 under the minimal replacement associated with the Lie connection of the local action of the Poincaré group. Field equations for the matter fields and the gauge fields are given for any system of matter fields whose action integral is invariant under the global action of the Poincaré group.     

A model of unified quantum chromodynamics and Yang-Mills gravity

Based on a generalized Yang-Mills framework, gravitational and strong interactions can be unified in analogy with the unification in the electroweak theory. By gauging T (4) × [SU (3)] color in flat space-time, we have a unified model of chromo-gravity with a new tensor gauge field, which couples universally to all gluons, quarks and anti-quarks. The space-time translational gauge symmetry assures that all wave equations of quarks and gluons reduce to a Hamilton-Jacobi equation with the same ’effective Riemann metric tensors’ in the geometric-optics (or classical) limit. The emergence of ef f ective metric tensors in the classical limit is essential for the unified model to agree with experiments. The unified model suggests that all gravitational, strong and electroweak interactions appear to be dictated by gauge symmetries in the generalized Yang-Mills framework.     

Direct gauging of the Poincaré group

Realization of the Poincaré group as a subgroup ofGL(5,R) that maps an affine set into itself is shown to lead to a well-defined minimal replacement operator when the Poincaré group is allowed to act locally. The minimal replacement operator is obtained by direct application of the Yang-Mills procedure without the explicit introduction of fiber bundle techniques. Its application gives rise to compensating 1-formsW , 1 6, for the local action of the Lorentz groupL(4,R), and to compensating 1-forms ^k , 1k4, for the translation groupT(4). When applied to the basis 1-formsdx ⁱ of Minkowski space, distortion 1-formsB ^k result that define a canonical anholonomic coframe that contains both theT(4) and theL(4,R) compensating fields. When the canonical coframe is considered as a differential system onM ₄, it gives rise to gauge curvature expressions and Cartan torsion, but the latter has important differences from that usually encountered in the associated literature in view of the inclusion of the compensating fields forL(4,R). The standard Yang-Mills minimal coupling construct is used to obtain a total Lagrangian. This leads to a system of field equations for the matter fields, theT(4) compensating fields, and theL(4,R) compensating fields. Part of the current that drives theT(4) compensating fields is the 3-form of gauge momentum energy that obtains directly from the momentum-energy tensor of the matter fields onM ₄ under minimal replacement. Introduction of the Cartan torsion in the free-field Lagrangian is shown to lead to a direct spin decoupling in the sense that the gauge momentum energy (orbital) contribution of the matter fields to the spin current is eliminated. Explicit conservation laws for total momentum energy current and total spin current are obtained.     

Direct gauging of the poincaré group. III. Interactions with internal symmetries

The problem of gauging matter fields with a Poincaré invariant action functional that admits anr parameter, semisimple groupG(r) of internal symmetries is considered. A minimal replacement operator for the total groupP ₁₀×G(r) is obtained, together with the requisite compensating 1-forms for both the Poincaré and theG(r) sectors. A basis forP ₁₀×G(r)-invariant Lagrangian densities for the free fields is obtained. Restriction to Lagrangian densities that are at most quadratic in the associated curvature and torsion fields eliminates active coupling between theP ₁₀ free field Lagrangian and theG(r) free field Lagrangian, although there is passive coupling that arises through the requirement of tensorial covariance under general coordinate transformations generated by the local action of the translation group. A superposition principle, modulo passive coupling, thus holds for quadratic free field Lagrangian for the total group:L _TOT=L _P +L _G(r) . Field equations for the matter fields and the compensating fields of theG(r) sector are obtained. Both share the passive coupling toP ₁₀ that is required in order to achieve tensorial covariance, but only the matter fields couple directly to the Poincaré fields and only to the Lorentz sector. For weak Poincaré fields, the field equations for the matter fields and the compensating fields of the internal symmetries go over into the standard field equations of gauge theory for an internal symmetry group.     

Hamiltonian Structure of Poincaré Gauge Theory and Separation of Non-Dynamical Variables in Exact Torsion Solutions

The canonical Hamiltonian of the Poincaré gauge theory of gravity is reanalyzed for generic Lagrangians. It is shown that the time components e₀^α and Γ₀^αβ of the tetrad and the linear connection fields of a Riemann-Cartan space-time U₄ constitute gauge degrees of freedom which remain non-dynamical during the time evolution of the system. Whereas the e₀^α are to be identified with the lapse and shift functions N^α known from the ADM formalism in Einstein's theory, the additional Lorentz degrces of freedom Γ₀^αβ are pertinent to Poincaré gauge models. These non-dynamical variables are instrumental in the derivation of exact torsion solutions obeying modified double duality conditions for the U₄-curvature. Thereby, in the case of spherical symmetry and for the charged Taub-NUT metric, we obtain the most general torsion configuration for a large class of quadratic Lagrangians. Previously found solutions are contained therein and can be recovered after fixing special “gauge”.     

Gauge fields,space-time geometry and gravity

A general framework for the gauge theory of the affine group and its various subgroups in terms of connections on the bundle of affine frames and its subbundles is given, with emphasis on the correct gauging of groups including space-time translations. For consistency of interpretation, the appropriate objects to be identified with gravitational vierbeins in such theories are not the translational gauge fields themselves, but their pull backs,via appropriate bundle homomorphisms, to the bundle of frames. This automatically solves the problems usually encountered in constructing a gauge theory of the conventional sort for groups containing translations. We give a consistent formulation of the Poincare gauge theory and also of the theory based on translational gauge invariance which, in the absence of matter fields with intrinsic spin, gives a local Lorentz invariant theory equivalent to Einstein gravity.     

Gauge theory of ferroelastic interaction in crystals with polyatomic lattice

The gauge theory of dislocations and disclinations in crystals with polyatomic lattice is generalized to ferroelastic interactions. In this work, based on the SO(3N)λT(3N) gauge group, an unbouned isotropic continuous medium comprising dislocations and disclinations is used to model an actual crystal, where N is the number of atoms per unit cell and λ is the sign of a semidirect product.     

Reformulation of general relativity as a gauge theory

The starting point is a spinor affine space-time. At each point, two-component spinors and a basis in spinor space, called “spin frame,” are introduced. Spinor affine connections are assumed to exist, but their values need not be known. A metric tensor is not introduced. Global and local gauge transformations of spin frames are defined with GL(2) as the gauge group. Gauge potentials B_μ are introduced and corresponding fields F_μν are defined in analogy with the Yang-Mills case. Gravitational field equations are derived from an action principle. Incases of physical interest SL(2, C) is taken as the gauge group, instead of GL(2). In the special case of metric space-times the theory is identical with general relativity in the Newman-Penrose formalism. Linear combinations of B_μ are generalized spin coefficients, and linear combinations of F_μν are generalized Weyl and Ricci tensors and Ricci scalar. The present approach is compared with other formulations of gravitation as a gauge field.     

Lorentz-non-invariant counter-terms in QCD in a general axial gauge

It is shown in the context of a pure Yang-Mills theory that the solution of the Slavnov-Taylor identities in a general axial gauge admits counter-terms which may or may not be Lorentz invariant. It follows from the background field method that these counter-terms must be gauge invariant. The Lorentz-non-invariant counter-terms appear already at the one-loop level and depend both on the gauge parameter α and the non-covariant vector n_ω.     

Hamiltonian treatment of the spherically symmetric einstein-Yang-Mills system

A canonical formalism of the dynamics of interacting spherically symmetric Yang-Mills and gravitational fields is presented. The work is based on Dirac's technique for constrained hamiltonian systems. The gauge freedom of the Yang-Mills field is treated in the same footing with the coordinate transformation freedom of the gravitational field. In particular, the fixation of coordinates and the fixation of the internal gauge are achieved by totally similar techniques. Two classes of spherically symmetric motions are considered: (i) the class for which the Yang-Mills potentials themselves are spherically symmetric (“manifest spherical symmetry”). In this case the results are valid for an arbitrary gauge group; and (ii) the class for which, in the SO(3) gauge group, a rotation in physical space is compensated by a rotation of equal magnitude but opposite direction in isospin space (“spherical symmetry up to a gauge transformation”). For manifest spherical symmetry the problem amounts to effectively dealing with an abelian gauge group and the most general solution of the field equations turns out to be the Reissner-Nordström metric with a Coulomb field. For spherical symmetry up to a gauge transformation the problem is more interesting. the formalism contains then, besides the gravitational variables, three pairs of functions of the radial coordinate that describe the degrees of freedom of the Yang-Mills field. Two pairs of these functions can be combined into a complex field ψ and its conjugate. The hamiltonian is then invariant under r-dependent rotations in the complex ψ-plane. The third degree of freedom plays the role of a compensating field associated with this invariance under localized U(l) rotations. The compensating field can always be brought to zero by a gauge transformation. After this is done the gauge is completely fixed but the problem remains invariant under position independent rotations in the ψ plane. Static solutions of the field equations in this gauge are of the form ψ(r) = (r) exp (iΘ) with Θ independent of position. The particular case Θ = 0 corresponds to the Wu-Yang ansatz. A nontrivial static solution can be found in closed form. The Yang-Mills field is of the generalized Wu-Yang type with an extra electric term, and the metric is the Reissner-Nordström one. It is pointed out that a Higgs field can be easily introduced in the formalism. The addition of the Higgs field does not destroy the invariance of the Hamiltonian under r-dependent rotations in the ψ-plane. The conserved quantity associated with the invariance under ψ → exp (i(const))ψ coincides with the electric charge as defined by 't Hooft in a more general context.     

Finite Group Discretization of Yang-Mills and Einstein Actions

Discrete versions of the Yang-Mills and Einstein actions are proposed for any finite group. These actions are invariant respectively under local gauge transformations and under the analogues of Lorentz and general coordinate transformations. The case Z_n×Z_n×···×Z_n is treated in some detail, recovering the Wilson action for Yang-Mills theories and a new discretized action for gravity.     

A path-space formula for non-abelian gauge theories

A functional integral representation is obtained for a semigroup in an indefinite metric space giving the dynamics of a cutoff Yang-Mills theory in space-time dimensions greater than two. The Fadde'av-Popov formula is shown to arise as a stochastic integral in the Feynman gauge.     

On the Yang-Mills structure of gravitation: A new issue of the final state

The Yang-Mills approach to gravity is presented. This extension of general relativity is based on the structures of a gauge theory: the Lorentz frame bundle acts as gauge bundle, the connection on the Lorentz bundle is the basic dynamical field, and the Yang-Mills equations define the dynamics for the connection. As a consequence of these dynamics the equivalence principle will be broken on space-time regions of high curvature, while it remains strictly preserved for the solar system, for example, and for homogeneous and isotropic world models. They are explicitly used to illustrate the extension of the general relativistic dynamics.This essay received an honorable mention (1976) from the Gravity Research Foundation-Ed.     

Consistency condition calculations of supersymmetry anomalies

Using differential geometry in superspace it is shown how consistency conditions are solved for coupled supersymmetry, gauge and Lorentz anomalies in normal space-time. Anomaly cancellation mechanisms in d = 10 are shown to remove possible supersymmetry anomalies as well as gauge and Lorentz anomalies.