| Abstract: | Einstein suggested that a unified field theorybe constructed by replacing the diffeomorphisms (thecoordinate transformations of general relativity) withsome larger group. We have constructed a theory that unifies the gravitational and electroweakfields by replacing the diffeomorphisms with the largestgroup of coordinate transformations under whichconservation laws are covariant statements. Thisreplacement leads to a theory with field equations whichimply the validity of the Einstein equations of generalrelativity, with a stress-energy tensor that is justwhat one expects for the electroweak field andassociated currents. The electroweak field appears as aconsequence of the field equations (rather than as a"compensating field" introduced to secure gaugeinvariance). There is no need for symmetry breaking toaccommodate mass, because the U(1) × SU(2) gaugesymmetry is approximate from the outset. Thegravitational field is described by the space-timemetric, as in general relativity. The electroweak fieldis described by the "mixed symmetry" part of the Riccirotation coefficients. The gauge symmetry-breakingquantity is a vector formed by contracting theLevi-Civita symbol with the totally antisymmetric partof the Ricci rotation coefficients. |
