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arXiv · 1310.5582

Antisymmetric tensor Z_p gauge symmetries in field theory and string theory

Mikel Berasaluce-González·Guillermo Ramírez·Angel M. Uranga
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Abstract

We consider discrete gauge symmetries in D dimensions arising as remnants of broken continuous gauge symmetries carried by general antisymmetric tensor fields, rather than by standard 1-forms. The lagrangian for such a general ${\bf Z}_p$ gauge theory can be described in terms of a $r$-form gauge field made massive by a $(r-1)$-form, or other dual realizations, that we also discuss. The theory contains charged topological defects of different dimensionalities, generalizing the familiar charged particles and strings in D=4. We describe realizations in string theory compactifications with torsion cycles, or with background field strength fluxes. We also provide examples of non-abelian discrete groups, for which the group elements are associated with charged objects of different dimensionality.

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Mikel Berasaluce-González, Guillermo Ramírez, Angel M. Uranga. 2013-10-21. Antisymmetric tensor Z_p gauge symmetries in field theory and string theory. https://doi.org/10.1007/jhep01(2014)059

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