| Abstract: | The covariance principle of general relativity is extended to internal space. Associated gauge fields and tensors are systematically described, whereupon the variational principle is set up for all gauge fields by applying a Palatini-type method, thereby giving rise to an attractive self-contained theory in which the Einstein equations are intrinsically synthesized with the generalized Yang-Mills equations. General gauge-covariant physical field equations are formulated, showing that currents, external + internal spin tensors, and energy-momentum tensors can be introduced unambiguously under these general conditions and that the associated conservation laws can be derived. The electromagnetic field finds its gauge-geometric origin as the gauge field related to internal densities. To be operative with the tensor indices of external and internal types, this general theory must be bimetric. The assumptions that the gauge-covariant derivatives of metric tensors should vanish simplify the theory to the level of a Finslerian gauge approach. |
