I show that the generalized Beltrami differentials and projective connections which appear naturally in induced light cone $W_n$ gravity are geometrical fields parametrizing in one-to-one fashion generalized projective structures on …
I show that the generalized Beltrami differentials and projective connections which appear naturally in induced light cone $W_n$ gravity are geometrical fields parametrizing in one-to-one fashion generalized projective structures on a fixed base Riemann surface. I also show that $W_n$ symmetries are nothing but gauge transformations of the flat ${SL}(n,{\bf C})$ vector bundles canonically associated to the generalized projective structures. This provides an original formulation of classical light cone $W_n$ geometry. From the knowledge of the symmetries, the full BRS algebra is derived. Inspired by the results of recent literature, I argue that quantum $W_n$ gravity may be formulated as an induced gauge theory of generalized projective connections. This leads to projective field theory. The possible anomalies arising at the quantum level are analyzed by solving Wess-Zumino consistency conditions. The implications for induced covariant $W_n$ gravity are briefly discussed. The results presented, valid for arbitrary $n$, reproduce those obtained for $n=2,3$ by different methods.
We show that the global aspects of Abelian and center projection of a SU(2) gauge theory on an arbitrary manifold are naturally described in terms of smooth Deligne cohomology. This …
We show that the global aspects of Abelian and center projection of a SU(2) gauge theory on an arbitrary manifold are naturally described in terms of smooth Deligne cohomology. This is achieved through the introduction of a novel type of differential topological structure, called Cho structure. Half integral monopole charges appear naturally in this framework.
We revisit our earlier work on the AKSZ-like formulation of topological sigma model on generalized complex manifolds, or Hitchin model, [20]. We show that the target space geometry geometry implied …
We revisit our earlier work on the AKSZ-like formulation of topological sigma model on generalized complex manifolds, or Hitchin model, [20]. We show that the target space geometry geometry implied by the BV master equations is Poisson-quasi-Nijenhuis geometry recently introduced and studied by Stiénon and Xu (in the untwisted case) in [44]. Poisson-quasi-Nijenhuis geometry is more general than generalized complex geometry and comprises it as a particular case. Next, we show how gauging and reduction can be implemented in the Hitchin model. We find that the geometry resulting form the BV master equation is closely related to but more general than that recently described by Lin and Tolman in [40, 41], suggesting a natural framework for the study of reduction of Poisson-quasi-Nijenhuis manifolds.
We formulate a 4-dimensional higher gauge theoretic Chern-Simons theory. Its symmetry is encoded in a semistrict Lie 2-algebra equipped with an invariant non singular bilinear form. We analyze the gauge …
We formulate a 4-dimensional higher gauge theoretic Chern-Simons theory. Its symmetry is encoded in a semistrict Lie 2-algebra equipped with an invariant non singular bilinear form. We analyze the gauge invariance of the theory and show that action is invariant under a higher gauge transformation up to a higher winding number. We find that the theory admits two seemingly inequivalent canonical quantizations. The first is manifestly topological, it does not require a choice of any additional structure on the spacial 3-fold. The second, more akin to that of ordinary Chern-Simons theory, involves fixing a CR structure on the latter. Correspondingly, we obtain two sets of semistrict higher WZW Ward identities and we find the explicit expressions of two higher versions of the WZW action. We speculate that the model could be used to define 2-knot invariants of 4-folds.
We present and study a model of 4–dimensional higher Chern-Simons theory, special Chern–Simons (SCS) theory, instances of which have appeared in the string literature, whose symmetry is encoded in a …
We present and study a model of 4–dimensional higher Chern-Simons theory, special Chern–Simons (SCS) theory, instances of which have appeared in the string literature, whose symmetry is encoded in a skeletal semistrict Lie 2–algebra constructed from a compact Lie group with non discrete center. The field content of SCS theory consists of a Lie valued 2–connection coupled to a background closed 3–form. SCS theory enjoys a large gauge and gauge for gauge symmetry organized in an infinite dimensional strict Lie 2–group. The partition function of SCS theory is simply related to that of a topological gauge theory localizing on flat connections with degree 3 second characteristic class determined by the background 3–form. Finally, SCS theory is related to a 3–dimensional special gauge theory whose 2–connection space has a natural symplectic structure with respect to which the 1–gauge transformation action is Hamiltonian, the 2–curvature map acting as moment map.
In this paper, we present a purely algebraic formulation of higher gauge theory and gauged sigma models based on the abstract theory of graded commutative algebras and their morphisms. The …
In this paper, we present a purely algebraic formulation of higher gauge theory and gauged sigma models based on the abstract theory of graded commutative algebras and their morphisms. The formulation incorporates naturally Becchi - Rouet -Stora - Tyutin (BRST) symmetry and is also suitable for Alexandrov - Kontsevich - Schwartz-Zaboronsky (AKSZ) type constructions. It is also shown that for a full-fledged Batalin-Vilkovisky formulation including ghost degrees of freedom, higher gauge and gauged sigma model fields must be viewed as internal smooth functions on the shifted tangent bundle of a space-time manifold valued in a shifted L∞-algebroid encoding symmetry. The relationship to other formulations where the L∞-algebroid arises from a higher Lie groupoid by Lie differentiation is highlighted.
BiHermitian geometry, discovered long ago by Gates, Hull and Roček, is the most general sigma model target space geometry allowing for (2, 2) world sheet supersymmetry. In this paper, we …
BiHermitian geometry, discovered long ago by Gates, Hull and Roček, is the most general sigma model target space geometry allowing for (2, 2) world sheet supersymmetry. In this paper, we work out supersymmetric quantum mechanics for a biHermitian target space. We display the full supersymmetry of the model and illustrate in detail its quantization procedure. Finally, we show that the quantized model reproduces the Hodge theory for compact twisted generalized Kähler manifolds recently developed by Gualtieri in [33]. This allows us to recover and put in a broader context the results on the biHermitian topological sigma models obtained by Kapustin and Li in [9].
A bstract We present and study a 4-d Chern-Simons (CS) model whose gauge symmetry is encoded in a balanced Lie group crossed module. Using the derived formal set-up recently found, …
A bstract We present and study a 4-d Chern-Simons (CS) model whose gauge symmetry is encoded in a balanced Lie group crossed module. Using the derived formal set-up recently found, the model can be formulated in a way that in many respects closely parallels that of the familiar 3-d CS one. In spite of these formal resemblance, the gauge invariance properties of the 4-d CS model differ considerably. The 4-d CS action is fully gauge invariant if the underlying base 4-fold has no boundary. When it does, the action is gauge variant, the gauge variation being a boundary term. If certain boundary conditions are imposed on the gauge fields and gauge transformations, level quantization can then occur. In the canonical formulation of the theory, it is found that, depending again on boundary conditions, the 4-d CS model is characterized by surface charges obeying a non trivial Poisson bracket algebra. This is a higher counterpart of the familiar WZNW current algebra arising in the 3-d model. 4-d CS theory thus exhibits rich holographic properties. The covariant Schroedinger quantization of the 4-d CS model is performed. A preliminary analysis of 4-d CS edge field theory is also provided. The toric and Abelian projected models are described in some detail.
This is the second of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern--Simons theory. …
This is the second of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern--Simons theory. We provide a definition of trace over a crossed module such to yield surface knot invariants upon application to 2-holonomies. We show further that the properties of the trace are best described using the theory quandle crossed modules.
This is the first of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern–Simons theory. …
This is the first of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern–Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, we define the 2-holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary genus and determine its covariance properties under 1-gauge transformation and change of base data.
We determine from 11-dimensional supergravity the quadratic bulk action for the physical bosonic fields relevant for the computation of correlation functions of normalized chiral operators in D = 6, = …
We determine from 11-dimensional supergravity the quadratic bulk action for the physical bosonic fields relevant for the computation of correlation functions of normalized chiral operators in D = 6, = (0,2) and D = 3, = 8 supersymmetric CFT in the large-N limit, as dictated by the AdS/CFT duality conjecture.
Developing the ideas of Stora and coworkers, a formulation of two-dimensional field theory endowed with extended conformal symmetry is given, which is based on deformation theory of holomorphic and Hermitian …
Developing the ideas of Stora and coworkers, a formulation of two-dimensional field theory endowed with extended conformal symmetry is given, which is based on deformation theory of holomorphic and Hermitian spaces. The geometric background consists of a vector bundle E over a closed surface endowed with a holomorphic structure and a Hermitian structure subordinated to it. The symmetry group is the semidirect product of the automorphism group Aut(E) of E and the extended Weyl group Weyl(E) of E and acts on the holomorphic and Hermitian structures. The extended Weyl anomaly can be shifted into a chirally split automorphism anomaly by adding to the action a local counterterm, as in ordinary conformal field theory. The dependence on the scale of the metric on the fibre of E is encoded in the Donaldson action, a vector bundle generalization of the Liouville action. The Weyl and automorphism anomaly split into two contributions corresponding, respectively, to the determinant and projectivization of E. The determinant part induces an effective ordinary Weyl or diffeomorphism anomaly and the induced central charge can be computed. As an application, it is shown that to any embedding t of into a simple Lie algebra and any faithful representation R of one can naturally associate a flat vector bundle DS(t,R) on . It is further shown that there is a deformation of the holomorphic structure of such a bundle whose parameter fields are generalized Beltrami differentials of the type appearing in light-cone W geometry, and that the projective part of the automorphism anomaly reduces to the standard W anomaly in the large central charge limit. A connection between the Donaldson action and Toda field theory is also observed.
Recently, Witten showed that there is a natural action of the group SL(2,Z) on the space of 3 dimensional conformal field theories with U(1) global symmetry and a chosen coupling …
Recently, Witten showed that there is a natural action of the group SL(2,Z) on the space of 3 dimensional conformal field theories with U(1) global symmetry and a chosen coupling of the symmetry current to a background gauge field on a 3-fold N. He further argued that, for a class of conformal field theories, in the nearly Gaussian limit, this SL(2,Z) action may be viewed as a holographic image of the well-known SL(2,Z) Abelian duality of a pure U(1) gauge theory on AdS-like 4-folds M bounded by N, as dictated by the AdS/CFT correspondence. However, he showed that explicitly only for the generator T; for the generator S, instead, his analysis remained conjectural. In this paper, we propose a solution of this problem. We derive a general holographic formula for the nearly Gaussian generating functional of the correlators of the symmetry current and, using this, we show that Witten's conjecture is indeed correct when N=S^3. We further identify a class of homology 3-spheres N for which Witten's conjecture takes a particular simple form.
The authors compute the propagator for the open bosonic string using the Polyakov path integral formalism, both with and without ghosts.
The authors compute the propagator for the open bosonic string using the Polyakov path integral formalism, both with and without ghosts.
Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth, aiming to applications to higher Chern-Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary …
Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth, aiming to applications to higher Chern-Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary genus has been defined and its covariance properties under 1-gauge transformation and change of base data have been determined. Using quandle theory, a definition of trace over a crossed module has been given that yields surface knot invariants upon application to 2-holonomies.
Abstract Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth aiming to applications to higher Chern–Simons theory. For a flat 2–connection, the holonomy of surface knots of …
Abstract Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth aiming to applications to higher Chern–Simons theory. For a flat 2–connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary genus has been defined and its covariance properties under 1–gauge transformation and change of base data have been determined. Using quandle theory, a definition of trace over a crossed module such to yield surface knot invariants upon application to 2–holonomies has been given.
A bstract In this paper, inspired by the Costello’s seminal work [11], we present a general formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) within the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) quantization scheme. In the …
A bstract In this paper, inspired by the Costello’s seminal work [11], we present a general formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) within the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) quantization scheme. In the spirit of effective field theory, the BV bracket and Laplacian structure as well as the BV effective action (EA) depend on an effective energy scale. The BV EA at a certain scale satisfies the BV quantum master equation at that scale. The RG flow of the EA is implemented by BV canonical maps intertwining the BV structures at different scales. Infinitesimally, this generates the BV exact renormalization group equation (RGE). We show that BV RG theory can be extended by augmenting the scale parameter space R to its shifted tangent bundle T [1]ℝ. The extra odd direction in scale space allows for a BV RG supersymmetry that constrains the structure of the BV RGE bringing it to Polchinski’s form [6]. We investigate the implications of BV RG supersymmetry in perturbation theory. Finally, we illustrate our findings by constructing free models of BV RG flow and EA exhibiting RG supersymmetry in the degree −1 symplectic framework and studying the perturbation theory thereof. We find in particular that the odd partner of effective action describes perturbatively the deviation of the interacting RG flow from its free counterpart.
In this article, taking inspiration from Costello’s work on renormalization in Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) theory (K. J. Costello, e-print arXiv:0706.1533 [math.QA]), we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) …
In this article, taking inspiration from Costello’s work on renormalization in Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) theory (K. J. Costello, e-print arXiv:0706.1533 [math.QA]), we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of BV algebra theory. In the first part, we work out a general algebraic and geometrical theory of BV algebras, canonical maps, flows, and flow stabilizers. In the second part, relying on this formalism, we build a BV algebraic theory of the RG. In line with the graded geometric outlook of our approach, we adjoin the RG scale with an odd parameter and analyze in depth the implications of the resulting RG supersymmetry and find that the RG equation takes Polchinski’s form [J. Polchinski, Nucl. Phys. B 231, 269 (1984)]. Finally, we study abstract purely algebraic odd symplectic free models of RG flow and effective action and the perturbation theory thereof to illustrate and exemplify the general theory.
This is the first of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher version of the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau …
This is the first of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher version of the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau theory of coadjoint orbits is presented based on the derived geometric framework, which has shown its usefulness in 4--dimensional higher Chern--Simons theory. An original notion of derived coadjoint orbit is put forward. A theory of derived unitary line bundles and Poisson structures on regular derived orbits is constructed. The proper derived counterpart of the Bohr--Sommerfeld quantization condition is then identified. A version of derived prequantization is proposed. The difficulties hindering a full quantization, shared with other approaches to higher quantization, are pinpointed and a possible way--out is suggested. The theory we elaborate provide the geometric underpinning for the field theoretic constructions of the companion paper.
In the present paper, which is a mathematical follow--up of [16] taking inspiration from [11], we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of Batalin--Vilkovisky …
In the present paper, which is a mathematical follow--up of [16] taking inspiration from [11], we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of Batalin--Vilkovisky (BV) algebra theory. In the first part, we work out a general algebraic and geometrical theory of BV algebras, canonical maps, flows and flow stabilizers. In the second part, relying on this formalism, we build a BV algebraic theory of the RG. In line with the graded geometric outlook of our approach, we adjoin the RG scale with an odd parameter and analyse in depth the implications of the resulting RG supersymmetry and find that the RG equation (RGE) takes Polchinski's form [3]. Finally, we study abstract purely algebraic odd symplectic free models of RG flow and effective action (EA) and the perturbation theory thereof to illustrate and exemplify the general theory.
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of …
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of derivations consisting of the de Rham differential and the contraction and Lie derivatives of all vertical vector fields and satisfying the six Cartan relations. Connections and gauge transformations are defined by the way they behave under the action of the operation's derivations. In the first paper of a series of two extending the ordinary theory, we constructed an operational total space theory of strict principal 2--bundles with reference to the action of the structure strict 2--group. Expressing this latter through a crossed module $(\mathsans{E},\mathsans{G})$, the operation is based on the derived Lie group $\mathfrak{e}[1]\rtimes\mathsans{G}$. In this paper, the second of the series, an original formulation of the theory of $2$--connections and $1$-- and $2$--gauge transformations of principal $2$--bundles based on the operational framework is provided.
It is a classic result that the geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with reference to the action of the bundle's structure group is codified in the …
It is a classic result that the geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with reference to the action of the bundle's structure group is codified in the bundle's operation, a collection of derivations comprising the de Rham differential and the contraction and Lie derivatives of all vertical vector fields and obeying the six Cartan relations. In particular, connections and gauge transformations can be defined through the way they are acted upon by the operation's derivations. In this paper, the first of a series of two extending the ordinary theory, we construct an operational total space theory of strict principal 2--bundles with regard to the action of the structure strict 2--group. Expressing this latter via a crossed module $(\mathsans{E},\mathsans{G})$, the operation is based on the derived Lie group $\mathfrak{e}[1]\rtimes\mathsans{G}$. In the second paper, an original formulation of the theory of $2$--connections and $1$-- and $2$--gauge transformations based on the operational framework worked out here will be provided.
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of …
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of derivations consisting of the de Rham differential and the contraction and Lie derivatives of all vertical vector fields and satisfying the six Cartan relations. Connections and gauge transformations are defined by the way they behave under the action of the operation's derivations. In the first paper of a series of two extending the ordinary theory, we constructed an operational total space theory of strict principal 2--bundles with reference to the action of the structure strict 2--group. Expressing this latter through a crossed module $(\mathsans{E},\mathsans{G})$, the operation is based on the derived Lie group $\mathfrak{e}[1]\rtimes\mathsans{G}$. In this paper, the second of the series, an original formulation of the theory of $2$--connections and $1$-- and $2$--gauge transformations of principal $2$--bundles based on the operational framework is provided.
A bstract This is the second of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher 2-dimensional counterpart …
A bstract This is the second of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher 2-dimensional counterpart of the topological coadjoint orbit quantum mechanical model computing Wilson lines is presented based on the derived geometric framework, which has shown its usefulness in 4-dimensional higher Chern-Simons theory. Its symmetries are described. Its quantization is analyzed in the functional integral framework. Strong evidence is provided that the model does indeed underlie the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces. The emergence of the vanishing fake curvature condition is explained and homotopy invariance for a flat higher gauge field is shown. The model’s Hamiltonian formulation is further furnished highlighting the model’s close relationship to the derived Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau theory developed in the companion paper.
In this paper, we lay down the foundation of a quantum computational framework for algebraic topology based on simplicial set theory. This extends previous work, which was limited to simplicial …
In this paper, we lay down the foundation of a quantum computational framework for algebraic topology based on simplicial set theory. This extends previous work, which was limited to simplicial complexes and aimed mostly to topological data analysis. Our set--up applies to any parafinite simplicial set and proceeds by associating with it a finite dimensional simplicial Hilbert space, whose simplicial operator structure we study in depth. We show in particular how the problem of determining the simplicial set's homology can be solved within the simplicial Hilbert framework. We examine further the conditions under which simplicial set theoretic algorithms can be implemented in a quantum computational setting taking into account a quantum computer's finite resources. We outline finally a quantum algorithmic scheme capable to compute the simplicial homology spaces and Betti numbers of a simplicial set combining a number of basic quantum algorithms.
This is the first of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher version of the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau …
This is the first of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher version of the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau theory of coadjoint orbits is presented based on the derived geometric framework, which has shown its usefulness in 4--dimensional higher Chern--Simons theory. An original notion of derived coadjoint orbit is put forward. A theory of derived unitary line bundles and Poisson structures on regular derived orbits is constructed. The proper derived counterpart of the Bohr--Sommerfeld quantization condition is then identified. A version of derived prequantization is proposed. The difficulties hindering a full quantization, shared with other approaches to higher quantization, are pinpointed and a possible way--out is suggested. The theory we elaborate provide the geometric underpinning for the field theoretic constructions of the companion paper.
This is the second of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher 2--dimensional counterpart of the …
This is the second of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher 2--dimensional counterpart of the topological coadjoint orbit quantum mechanical model computing Wilson lines is presented based on the derived geometric framework, which has shown its usefulness in 4--dimensional higher Chern--Simons theory. Its symmetries are described. Its quantization is analyzed in the functional integral framework. Strong evidence is provided that the model does indeed underlie the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces. The emergence of the vanishing fake curvature condition is explained and homotopy invariance for a flat higher gauge field is shown. The model's Hamiltonian formulation is further furnished highlighting the model's close relationship to the derived Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau theory developed in the companion paper.
This is the first of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher version of the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau …
This is the first of a series of two papers devoted to the partition function realization of Wilson surfaces in strict higher gauge theory. A higher version of the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau theory of coadjoint orbits is presented based on the derived geometric framework, which has shown its usefulness in 4--dimensional higher Chern--Simons theory. An original notion of derived coadjoint orbit is put forward. A theory of derived unitary line bundles and Poisson structures on regular derived orbits is constructed. The proper derived counterpart of the Bohr--Sommerfeld quantization condition is then identified. A version of derived prequantization is proposed. The difficulties hindering a full quantization, shared with other approaches to higher quantization, are pinpointed and a possible way--out is suggested. The theory we elaborate provide the geometric underpinning for the field theoretic constructions of the companion paper.
A bstract We present and study a 4-d Chern-Simons (CS) model whose gauge symmetry is encoded in a balanced Lie group crossed module. Using the derived formal set-up recently found, …
A bstract We present and study a 4-d Chern-Simons (CS) model whose gauge symmetry is encoded in a balanced Lie group crossed module. Using the derived formal set-up recently found, the model can be formulated in a way that in many respects closely parallels that of the familiar 3-d CS one. In spite of these formal resemblance, the gauge invariance properties of the 4-d CS model differ considerably. The 4-d CS action is fully gauge invariant if the underlying base 4-fold has no boundary. When it does, the action is gauge variant, the gauge variation being a boundary term. If certain boundary conditions are imposed on the gauge fields and gauge transformations, level quantization can then occur. In the canonical formulation of the theory, it is found that, depending again on boundary conditions, the 4-d CS model is characterized by surface charges obeying a non trivial Poisson bracket algebra. This is a higher counterpart of the familiar WZNW current algebra arising in the 3-d model. 4-d CS theory thus exhibits rich holographic properties. The covariant Schroedinger quantization of the 4-d CS model is performed. A preliminary analysis of 4-d CS edge field theory is also provided. The toric and Abelian projected models are described in some detail.
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of …
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of derivations consisting of the de Rham differential and the contraction and Lie derivatives of all vertical vector fields and satisfying the six Cartan relations. Connections and gauge transformations are defined by the way they behave under the action of the operation's derivations. In the first paper of a series of two extending the ordinary theory, we constructed an operational total space theory of strict principal 2--bundles with reference to the action of the structure strict 2--group. Expressing this latter through a crossed module $(\mathsans{E},\mathsans{G})$, the operation is based on the derived Lie group $\mathfrak{e}[1]\rtimes\mathsans{G}$. In this paper, the second of the series, an original formulation of the theory of $2$--connections and $1$-- and $2$--gauge transformations of principal $2$--bundles based on the operational framework is provided.
It is a classic result that the geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with reference to the action of the bundle's structure group is codified in the …
It is a classic result that the geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with reference to the action of the bundle's structure group is codified in the bundle's operation, a collection of derivations comprising the de Rham differential and the contraction and Lie derivatives of all vertical vector fields and obeying the six Cartan relations. In particular, connections and gauge transformations can be defined through the way they are acted upon by the operation's derivations. In this paper, the first of a series of two extending the ordinary theory, we construct an operational total space theory of strict principal 2--bundles with regard to the action of the structure strict 2--group. Expressing this latter via a crossed module $(\mathsans{E},\mathsans{G})$, the operation is based on the derived Lie group $\mathfrak{e}[1]\rtimes\mathsans{G}$. In the second paper, an original formulation of the theory of $2$--connections and $1$-- and $2$--gauge transformations based on the operational framework worked out here will be provided.
Abstract Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth aiming to applications to higher Chern–Simons theory. For a flat 2–connection, the holonomy of surface knots of …
Abstract Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth aiming to applications to higher Chern–Simons theory. For a flat 2–connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary genus has been defined and its covariance properties under 1–gauge transformation and change of base data have been determined. Using quandle theory, a definition of trace over a crossed module such to yield surface knot invariants upon application to 2–holonomies has been given.
Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth, aiming to applications to higher Chern-Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary …
Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth, aiming to applications to higher Chern-Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary genus has been defined and its covariance properties under 1-gauge transformation and change of base data have been determined. Using quandle theory, a definition of trace over a crossed module has been given that yields surface knot invariants upon application to 2-holonomies.
In this article, taking inspiration from Costello’s work on renormalization in Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) theory (K. J. Costello, e-print arXiv:0706.1533 [math.QA]), we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) …
In this article, taking inspiration from Costello’s work on renormalization in Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) theory (K. J. Costello, e-print arXiv:0706.1533 [math.QA]), we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of BV algebra theory. In the first part, we work out a general algebraic and geometrical theory of BV algebras, canonical maps, flows, and flow stabilizers. In the second part, relying on this formalism, we build a BV algebraic theory of the RG. In line with the graded geometric outlook of our approach, we adjoin the RG scale with an odd parameter and analyze in depth the implications of the resulting RG supersymmetry and find that the RG equation takes Polchinski’s form [J. Polchinski, Nucl. Phys. B 231, 269 (1984)]. Finally, we study abstract purely algebraic odd symplectic free models of RG flow and effective action and the perturbation theory thereof to illustrate and exemplify the general theory.
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of …
The geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with regard to the action of the bundle's structure group is elegantly described by the bundle's operation, a collection of derivations consisting of the de Rham differential and the contraction and Lie derivatives of all vertical vector fields and satisfying the six Cartan relations. Connections and gauge transformations are defined by the way they behave under the action of the operation's derivations. In the first paper of a series of two extending the ordinary theory, we constructed an operational total space theory of strict principal 2--bundles with reference to the action of the structure strict 2--group. Expressing this latter through a crossed module $(\mathsans{E},\mathsans{G})$, the operation is based on the derived Lie group $\mathfrak{e}[1]\rtimes\mathsans{G}$. In this paper, the second of the series, an original formulation of the theory of $2$--connections and $1$-- and $2$--gauge transformations of principal $2$--bundles based on the operational framework is provided.
It is a classic result that the geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with reference to the action of the bundle's structure group is codified in the …
It is a classic result that the geometry of the total space of a principal bundle with reference to the action of the bundle's structure group is codified in the bundle's operation, a collection of derivations comprising the de Rham differential and the contraction and Lie derivatives of all vertical vector fields and obeying the six Cartan relations. In particular, connections and gauge transformations can be defined through the way they are acted upon by the operation's derivations. In this paper, the first of a series of two extending the ordinary theory, we construct an operational total space theory of strict principal 2--bundles with regard to the action of the structure strict 2--group. Expressing this latter via a crossed module $(\mathsans{E},\mathsans{G})$, the operation is based on the derived Lie group $\mathfrak{e}[1]\rtimes\mathsans{G}$. In the second paper, an original formulation of the theory of $2$--connections and $1$-- and $2$--gauge transformations based on the operational framework worked out here will be provided.
Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth, aiming to applications to higher Chern-Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary …
Holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory have been studied in depth, aiming to applications to higher Chern-Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, the holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary genus has been defined and its covariance properties under 1-gauge transformation and change of base data have been determined. Using quandle theory, a definition of trace over a crossed module has been given that yields surface knot invariants upon application to 2-holonomies.
A bstract In this paper, inspired by the Costello’s seminal work [11], we present a general formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) within the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) quantization scheme. In the …
A bstract In this paper, inspired by the Costello’s seminal work [11], we present a general formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) within the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) quantization scheme. In the spirit of effective field theory, the BV bracket and Laplacian structure as well as the BV effective action (EA) depend on an effective energy scale. The BV EA at a certain scale satisfies the BV quantum master equation at that scale. The RG flow of the EA is implemented by BV canonical maps intertwining the BV structures at different scales. Infinitesimally, this generates the BV exact renormalization group equation (RGE). We show that BV RG theory can be extended by augmenting the scale parameter space R to its shifted tangent bundle T [1]ℝ. The extra odd direction in scale space allows for a BV RG supersymmetry that constrains the structure of the BV RGE bringing it to Polchinski’s form [6]. We investigate the implications of BV RG supersymmetry in perturbation theory. Finally, we illustrate our findings by constructing free models of BV RG flow and EA exhibiting RG supersymmetry in the degree −1 symplectic framework and studying the perturbation theory thereof. We find in particular that the odd partner of effective action describes perturbatively the deviation of the interacting RG flow from its free counterpart.
In the present paper, which is a mathematical follow--up of [16] taking inspiration from [11], we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of Batalin--Vilkovisky …
In the present paper, which is a mathematical follow--up of [16] taking inspiration from [11], we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of Batalin--Vilkovisky (BV) algebra theory. In the first part, we work out a general algebraic and geometrical theory of BV algebras, canonical maps, flows and flow stabilizers. In the second part, relying on this formalism, we build a BV algebraic theory of the RG. In line with the graded geometric outlook of our approach, we adjoin the RG scale with an odd parameter and analyse in depth the implications of the resulting RG supersymmetry and find that the RG equation (RGE) takes Polchinski's form [3]. Finally, we study abstract purely algebraic odd symplectic free models of RG flow and effective action (EA) and the perturbation theory thereof to illustrate and exemplify the general theory.
In this paper, we present a purely algebraic formulation of higher gauge theory and gauged sigma models based on the abstract theory of graded commutative algebras and their morphisms. The …
In this paper, we present a purely algebraic formulation of higher gauge theory and gauged sigma models based on the abstract theory of graded commutative algebras and their morphisms. The formulation incorporates naturally Becchi - Rouet -Stora - Tyutin (BRST) symmetry and is also suitable for Alexandrov - Kontsevich - Schwartz-Zaboronsky (AKSZ) type constructions. It is also shown that for a full-fledged Batalin-Vilkovisky formulation including ghost degrees of freedom, higher gauge and gauged sigma model fields must be viewed as internal smooth functions on the shifted tangent bundle of a space-time manifold valued in a shifted L∞-algebroid encoding symmetry. The relationship to other formulations where the L∞-algebroid arises from a higher Lie groupoid by Lie differentiation is highlighted.
In the present paper, which is a mathematical follow--up of [16] taking inspiration from [11], we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of Batalin--Vilkovisky …
In the present paper, which is a mathematical follow--up of [16] taking inspiration from [11], we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of Batalin--Vilkovisky (BV) algebra theory. In the first part, we work out a general algebraic and geometrical theory of BV algebras, canonical maps, flows and flow stabilizers. In the second part, relying on this formalism, we build a BV algebraic theory of the RG. In line with the graded geometric outlook of our approach, we adjoin the RG scale with an odd parameter and analyse in depth the implications of the resulting RG supersymmetry and find that the RG equation (RGE) takes Polchinski's form [3]. Finally, we study abstract purely algebraic odd symplectic free models of RG flow and effective action (EA) and the perturbation theory thereof to illustrate and exemplify the general theory.
We present and study a model of 4–dimensional higher Chern-Simons theory, special Chern–Simons (SCS) theory, instances of which have appeared in the string literature, whose symmetry is encoded in a …
We present and study a model of 4–dimensional higher Chern-Simons theory, special Chern–Simons (SCS) theory, instances of which have appeared in the string literature, whose symmetry is encoded in a skeletal semistrict Lie 2–algebra constructed from a compact Lie group with non discrete center. The field content of SCS theory consists of a Lie valued 2–connection coupled to a background closed 3–form. SCS theory enjoys a large gauge and gauge for gauge symmetry organized in an infinite dimensional strict Lie 2–group. The partition function of SCS theory is simply related to that of a topological gauge theory localizing on flat connections with degree 3 second characteristic class determined by the background 3–form. Finally, SCS theory is related to a 3–dimensional special gauge theory whose 2–connection space has a natural symplectic structure with respect to which the 1–gauge transformation action is Hamiltonian, the 2–curvature map acting as moment map.
This is the second of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern--Simons theory. …
This is the second of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern--Simons theory. We provide a definition of trace over a crossed module such to yield surface knot invariants upon application to 2-holonomies. We show further that the properties of the trace are best described using the theory quandle crossed modules.
This is the first of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern–Simons theory. …
This is the first of a series of two technical papers devoted to the analysis of holonomy invariants in strict higher gauge theory with end applications in higher Chern–Simons theory. For a flat 2-connection, we define the 2-holonomy of surface knots of arbitrary genus and determine its covariance properties under 1-gauge transformation and change of base data.
We formulate a 4-dimensional higher gauge theoretic Chern-Simons theory. Its symmetry is encoded in a semistrict Lie 2-algebra equipped with an invariant non singular bilinear form. We analyze the gauge …
We formulate a 4-dimensional higher gauge theoretic Chern-Simons theory. Its symmetry is encoded in a semistrict Lie 2-algebra equipped with an invariant non singular bilinear form. We analyze the gauge invariance of the theory and show that action is invariant under a higher gauge transformation up to a higher winding number. We find that the theory admits two seemingly inequivalent canonical quantizations. The first is manifestly topological, it does not require a choice of any additional structure on the spacial 3-fold. The second, more akin to that of ordinary Chern-Simons theory, involves fixing a CR structure on the latter. Correspondingly, we obtain two sets of semistrict higher WZW Ward identities and we find the explicit expressions of two higher versions of the WZW action. We speculate that the model could be used to define 2-knot invariants of 4-folds.
In the first part of this paper, we work out a perturbative Lagrangian formulation of semistrict higher gauge theory, that avoids the subtleties of the relationship between Lie 2-groups and …
In the first part of this paper, we work out a perturbative Lagrangian formulation of semistrict higher gauge theory, that avoids the subtleties of the relationship between Lie 2-groups and algebras by relying exclusively on the structure semistrict Lie 2-algebra v and its automorphism 2-group Aut(v). Gauge transformations are defined and shown to form a strict 2-group depending on v. Fields are v-valued and their global behaviour is controlled by appropriate gauge transformation gluing data organized as a strict 2-groupoid. In the second part, using the BV quantization method in the AKSZ geometrical version, we write down a 3-dimensional semistrict higher BF gauge theory generalizing ordinary BF theory, carry out its gauge fixing and obtain as end result a semistrict higher topological gauge field theory of the Witten type. We also introduce a related 4-dimensional semistrict higher Chern-Simons gauge theory.
We work out a formulation of higher gauge theory, whose symmetry is encoded in a semistrict Lie 2–algebra v and which we call semistrict. We view v as a 2– …
We work out a formulation of higher gauge theory, whose symmetry is encoded in a semistrict Lie 2–algebra v and which we call semistrict. We view v as a 2– term L∞ algebra, a special case of strong homotopy Lie algebra generalizing an ordinary Lie algebra by allowing the Lie bracket to have a non trivial Jacobiator. Fields are v–valued and gauge transformations are special Aut(v)–valued maps organized as an ordinary group and acting on them. The global behaviour of fields is controlled by appropriate gauge transformation 1–cocycles. Using the BV quantization method in the AKSZ geometrical version, we write down a 3– dimensional semistrict higher BF gauge theory generalizing ordinary BF theory, carry out its gauge fixing and obtain as end result a semistrict higher topological gauge field theory of the Witten type. We also introduce a related 4–dimensional semistrict higher Chern–Simons gauge theory. We discuss merits and weaknesses of our formulation in relations to other approaches. MSC classes: 81T13, 81T20, 81T45, 81T70.
In the first part of this paper, we work out a perturbative Lagrangian formulation of semistrict higher gauge theory, that avoids the subtleties of the relationship between Lie 2-groups and …
In the first part of this paper, we work out a perturbative Lagrangian formulation of semistrict higher gauge theory, that avoids the subtleties of the relationship between Lie 2-groups and algebras by relying exclusively on the structure semistrict Lie 2-algebra v and its automorphism 2-group Aut(v). Gauge transformations are defined and shown to form a strict 2-group depending on v. Fields are v-valued and their global behaviour is controlled by appropriate gauge transformation gluing data organized as a strict 2-groupoid. In the second part, using the BV quantization method in the AKSZ geometrical version, we write down a 3-dimensional semistrict higher BF gauge theory generalizing ordinary BF theory, carry out its gauge fixing and obtain as end result a semistrict higher topological gauge field theory of the Witten type. We also introduce a related 4-dimensional semistrict higher Chern-Simons gauge theory.
We revisit our earlier work on the AKSZ-like formulation of topological sigma model on generalized complex manifolds, or Hitchin model, [20]. We show that the target space geometry geometry implied …
We revisit our earlier work on the AKSZ-like formulation of topological sigma model on generalized complex manifolds, or Hitchin model, [20]. We show that the target space geometry geometry implied by the BV master equations is Poisson-quasi-Nijenhuis geometry recently introduced and studied by Stiénon and Xu (in the untwisted case) in [44]. Poisson-quasi-Nijenhuis geometry is more general than generalized complex geometry and comprises it as a particular case. Next, we show how gauging and reduction can be implemented in the Hitchin model. We find that the geometry resulting form the BV master equation is closely related to but more general than that recently described by Lin and Tolman in [40, 41], suggesting a natural framework for the study of reduction of Poisson-quasi-Nijenhuis manifolds.
BiHermitian geometry, discovered long ago by Gates, Hull and Roček, is the most general sigma model target space geometry allowing for (2, 2) world sheet supersymmetry. In this paper, we …
BiHermitian geometry, discovered long ago by Gates, Hull and Roček, is the most general sigma model target space geometry allowing for (2, 2) world sheet supersymmetry. In this paper, we work out supersymmetric quantum mechanics for a biHermitian target space. We display the full supersymmetry of the model and illustrate in detail its quantization procedure. Finally, we show that the quantized model reproduces the Hodge theory for compact twisted generalized Kähler manifolds recently developed by Gualtieri in [33]. This allows us to recover and put in a broader context the results on the biHermitian topological sigma models obtained by Kapustin and Li in [9].
We show that the global aspects of Abelian and center projection of a SU(2) gauge theory on an arbitrary manifold are naturally described in terms of smooth Deligne cohomology. This …
We show that the global aspects of Abelian and center projection of a SU(2) gauge theory on an arbitrary manifold are naturally described in terms of smooth Deligne cohomology. This is achieved through the introduction of a novel type of differential topological structure, called Cho structure. Half integral monopole charges appear naturally in this framework.
Recently, Witten showed that there is a natural action of the group SL(2,Z) on the space of 3 dimensional conformal field theories with U(1) global symmetry and a chosen coupling …
Recently, Witten showed that there is a natural action of the group SL(2,Z) on the space of 3 dimensional conformal field theories with U(1) global symmetry and a chosen coupling of the symmetry current to a background gauge field on a 3-fold N. He further argued that, for a class of conformal field theories, in the nearly Gaussian limit, this SL(2,Z) action may be viewed as a holographic image of the well-known SL(2,Z) Abelian duality of a pure U(1) gauge theory on AdS-like 4-folds M bounded by N, as dictated by the AdS/CFT correspondence. However, he showed that explicitly only for the generator T; for the generator S, instead, his analysis remained conjectural. In this paper, we propose a solution of this problem. We derive a general holographic formula for the nearly Gaussian generating functional of the correlators of the symmetry current and, using this, we show that Witten's conjecture is indeed correct when N=S^3. We further identify a class of homology 3-spheres N for which Witten's conjecture takes a particular simple form.
We determine from 11-dimensional supergravity the quadratic bulk action for the physical bosonic fields relevant for the computation of correlation functions of normalized chiral operators in D = 6, = …
We determine from 11-dimensional supergravity the quadratic bulk action for the physical bosonic fields relevant for the computation of correlation functions of normalized chiral operators in D = 6, = (0,2) and D = 3, = 8 supersymmetric CFT in the large-N limit, as dictated by the AdS/CFT duality conjecture.