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Thomas Strobl

Publications and source records attributed to Thomas Strobl.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2017

Beyond the standard gauging: gauge symmetries of Dirac Sigma Models

In this paper we study the general conditions that have to be met for a gauged extension of a two-dimensional bosonic sigma-model to exist. In an inversion of the usual approach of identifying a global symmetry and then promoting it to a local one, we focus directly on the gauge symmetries of the theory. This allows for action functionals which are gauge invariant for rather general background fields in the sense that their invariance conditions are milder than the usual case. In particular, the vector fields that control the gauging need not be Killing. The relaxation of isometry for the background fields is controlled by two connections on a Lie algebroid L in which the gauge fields take values, in a generalization of the common Lie-algebraic picture. Here we show that these connections can always be determined when L is a Dirac structure in the H-twisted Courant algebroid. This also leads us to a derivation of the general form for the gauge symmetries of a wide class of two-dimensional topological field theories called Dirac sigma-models, which interpolate between the G/G Wess-Zumino-Witten model and the (Wess-Zumino-term twisted) Poisson sigma model.

hep-th↗
arXiv2016

Monopole star products are non-alternative

Non-associative algebras appear in some quantum-mechanical systems, for instance if a charged particle in a distribution of magnetic monopoles is considered. Using methods of deformation quantization it is shown here, that algebras for such systems cannot be alternative, i.e. their associator cannot be completely anti-symmetric.

math-ph↗
arXiv2016

Strings in Singular Space-Times and their Universal Gauge Theory

We study the propagation of bosonic strings in singular target space-times. For describing this, we assume this target space to be the quotient of a smooth manifold $M$ by a singular foliation ${\cal F}$ on it. Using the technical tool of a gauge theory, we propose a smooth functional for this scenario, such that the propagation is assured to lie in the singular target on-shell, i.e. only after taking into account the gauge invariant content of the theory. One of the main new aspects of our approach is that we do not limit ${\cal F}$ to be generated by a group action. We will show that, whenever it exists, the above gauging is effectuated by a single geometrical and universal gauge theory, whose target space is the generalized tangent bundle $TM\oplus T^*M$.

math-ph↗
arXiv2016

Non-abelian Gerbes and Enhanced Leibniz Algebras

We present the most general gauge-invariant action functional for coupled 1- and 2-form gauge fields with kinetic terms in generic dimensions, i.e. dropping eventual contributions that can be added in particular space-time dimensions only such as higher Chern-Simons terms. After appropriate field redefinitions it coincides with a truncation of the Samtleben-Szegin-Wimmer action. In the process one sees explicitly how the existence of a gauge invariant functional enforces that the most general semi-strict Lie 2-algebra describing the bundle of a non-abelian gerbe gets reduced to a very particular structure, which, after the field redefinition, can be identified with the one of an enhanced Leibniz algebra. This is the first step towards a systematic construction of such functionals for higher gauge theories, with kinetic terms for a tower of gauge fields up to some highest form degree p, solved here for p = 2.

hep-th↗
arXiv2015

Curving Yang-Mills-Higgs Gauge Theories

Established fundamental physics can be described by fields, which are maps. The source of such a map is space-time, which can be curved due to gravity. The map itself needs to be curved in its gauge field part so as to describe interaction forces like those mediated by photons and gluons. In the present article, we permit non-zero curvature also on the internal space, the target of the field map. The action functional and the symmetries are constructed in such a way that they reduce to those of standard Yang-Mills-Higgs (YMH) gauge theories precisely when the curvature on the target of the fields is turned off. For curved targets one obtains a new theory, a curved YMH gauge theory. It realizes in a mathematically consistent manner an old wish in the community: replacing structures constants by functions depending on the scalars of the theory. In addition, we provide a simple 4d toy model, where the gauge symmetry is abelian, but turning off the gauge fields, no rigid symmetry remains---another possible manifestation of target curvature. It now remains to be seen, if internal curvature in the above sense is realized in nature. Curvature of space-time is proven, but still negligible in particle physics, except for the very early universe where quantum gravity must have played an essential role. An important question therefore is, if glimpses of target curvature can be visible in accelerator physics. We know that at contemporary energy scales, the usual (flat) standard model describes nature to a very high accuracy. Could it be that the alleged deviations in the B to D-star-tau-nu decay reported by BaBar in 2012 and recently also by LHCb are already a manifestation of target curvature? What kind of effects does target curvature have on a YMH theory in general, for what kind of effects do we need to look out for so as to detect it?

hep-th↗
arXiv2015

Hidden Q-structure and Lie 3-algebra for non-abelian superconformal models in six dimensions

We disclose the mathematical structure underlying the gauge field sector of the recently constructed non-abelian superconformal models in six spacetime dimensions. This is a coupled system of 1-form, 2-form, and 3-form gauge fields. We show that the algebraic consistency constraints governing this system permit to define a Lie 3-algebra, generalizing the structural Lie algebra of a standard Yang-Mills theory to the setting of a higher bundle. Reformulating the Lie 3-algebra in terms of a nilpotent degree 1 BRST-type operator Q, this higher bundle can be compactly described by means of a Q-bundle; its fiber is the shifted tangent of the Q-manifold corresponding to the Lie 3-algebra and its base the odd tangent bundle of spacetime equipped with the de Rham differential. The generalized Bianchi identities can then be retrieved concisely from Q^2=0, which encode all the essence of the structural identities. Gauge transformations are identified as vertical inner automorphisms of such a bundle, their algebra being determined from a Q-derived bracket.

math-ph↗
arXiv2014

General Yang-Mills type gauge theories for p-form gauge fields: From physics-based ideas to a mathematical framework OR From Bianchi identities to twisted Courant algebroids

Starting with minimal requirements from the physical experience with higher gauge theories, i.e. gauge theories for a tower of differential forms of different form degrees, we discover that all the structural identities governing such theories can be concisely recombined into a so-called Q-structure or, equivalently, a Lie infinity algebroid. This has many technical and conceptual advantages: Complicated higher bundles become just bundles in the category of Q-manifolds in this approach (the many structural identities being encoded in the one operator Q squaring to zero), gauge transformations are generated by internal vertical automorphisms in these bundles and even for a relatively intricate field content the gauge algebra can be determined in some lines only and is given by the so-called derived bracket construction. This article aims equally at mathematicians and theoretical physicists; each more physical section is followed by a purely mathematical one. While the considerations are valid for arbitrary highest form-degree p, we pay particular attention to p=2, i.e. 1- and 2-form gauge fields coupled non-linearly to scalar fields (0-form fields). The structural identities of the coupled system correspond to a Lie 2-algebroid in this case and we provide different axiomatic descriptions of those, inspired by the application, including e.g. one as a particular kind of a vector-bundle twisted Courant algebroid.

hep-th↗
arXiv2014

2d Gauge Theories and Generalized Geometry

We show that in the context of two-dimensional sigma models minimal coupling of an ordinary rigid symmetry Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ leads naturally to the appearance of the "generalized tangent bundle" $\mathbb{T}M \equiv TM \oplus T^*M$ by means of composite fields. Gauge transformations of the composite fields follow the Courant bracket, closing upon the choice of a Dirac structure $D \subset \mathbb{T}M$ (or, more generally, the choide of a "small Dirac-Rinehart sheaf" $\cal{D}$), in which the fields as well as the symmetry parameters are to take values. In these new variables, the gauge theory takes the form of a (non-topological) Dirac sigma model, which is applicable in a more general context and proves to be universal in two space-time dimensions: A gauging of $\mathfrak{g}$ of a standard sigma model with Wess-Zumino term exists, \emph{iff} there is a prolongation of the rigid symmetry to a Lie algebroid morphism from the action Lie algebroid $M \times \mathfrak{g}\to M$ into $D\to M$ (or the algebraic analogue of the morphism in the case of $\cal{D}$). The gauged sigma model results from a pullback by this morphism from the Dirac sigma model, which proves to be universal in two-spacetime dimensions in this sense.

hep-th↗
arXiv2014

Gauging without Initial Symmetry

The gauge principle is at the heart of a good part of fundamental physics: Starting with a group G of so-called rigid symmetries of a functional defined over space-time Sigma, the original functional is extended appropriately by additional Lie(G)-valued 1-form gauge fields so as to lift the symmetry to Maps(Sigma,G). Physically relevant quantities are then to be obtained as the quotient of the solutions to the Euler-Lagrange equations by these gauge symmetries. In this article we show that one can construct a gauge theory for a standard sigma model in arbitrary space-time dimensions where the target metric is not invariant with respect to any rigid symmetry group, but satisfies a much weaker condition: It is sufficient to find a collection of vector fields v_a on the target M satisfying the extended Killing equation v_{a(i;j)}=0 for some connection acting on the index a. For regular foliations this is equivalent to requiring the conormal bundle to the leaves with its induced metric to be invariant under leaf-preserving diffeomorphisms of M, which in turn generalizes Riemannian submersions to which the notion reduces for smooth leaf spaces M/~. The resulting gauge theory has the usual quotient effect with respect to the original ungauged theory: in this way, much more general orbits can be factored out than usually considered. In some cases these are orbits that do not correspond to an initial symmetry, but still can be generated by a finite dimensional Lie group G. Then the presented gauging procedure leads to an ordinary gauge theory with Lie algebra valued 1-form gauge fields, but showing an unconventional transformation law. In general, however, one finds that the notion of an ordinary structural Lie group is too restrictive and should be replaced by the much more general notion of a structural Lie groupoid.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

Dirac Sigma Models from Gauging

The G/G WZW model results from the WZW-model by a standard procedure of gauging. G/G WZW models are members of Dirac sigma models, which also contain twisted Poisson sigma models as other examples. We show how the general class of Dirac sigma models can be obtained from a gauging procedure adapted to Lie algebroids in the form of an equivariantly closed extension. The rigid gauge groups are generically infinite dimensional and a standard gauging procedure would give a likewise infinite number of 1-form gauge fields; the proposed construction yields the requested finite number of them. Although physics terminology is used, the presentation is kept accessible also for a mathematical audience.

math-ph↗
arXiv2009

Lie Algebroid Yang Mills with Matter Fields

Lie algebroid Yang-Mills theories are a generalization of Yang-Mills gauge theories, replacing the structural Lie algebra by a Lie algebroid E. In this note we relax the conditions on the fiber metric of E for gauge invariance of the action functional. Coupling to scalar fields requires possibly nonlinear representations of Lie algebroids. In all cases, gauge invariance is seen to lead to a condition of covariant constancy on the respective fiber metric in question with respect to an appropriate Lie algebroid connection. The presentation is kept in part explicit so as to be accessible also to a less mathematically oriented audience.

hep-th↗
arXiv2009

First Class Constrained Systems and Twisting of Courant Algebroids by a Closed 4-form

We show that in analogy to the introduction of Poisson structures twisted by a closed 3-form by Park and Klimcik-Strobl, the study of three dimensional sigma models with Wess-Zumino term leads in a likewise way to twisting of Courant algebroid structures by closed 4-forms H. The presentation is kept pedagogical and accessible to physicists as well as to mathematicians, explaining in detail in particular the interplay of field transformations in a sigma model with the type of geometrical structures induced on a target. In fact, as we also show, even if one does not know the mathematical concept of a Courant algebroid, the study of a rather general class of 3-dimensional sigma models leads one to that notion by itself. Courant algebroids became of relevance for mathematical physics lately from several perspectives - like for example by means of using generalized complex structures in String Theory. One may expect that their twisting by the curvature H of some 3-form Ramond-Ramond gauge field will become of relevance as well.

hep-th↗
arXiv2007

Characteristic classes associated to Q-bundles

A Q-manifold is a graded manifold endowed with a vector field of degree one squaring to zero. We consider the notion of a Q-bundle, that is, a fiber bundle in the category of Q-manifolds. To each homotopy class of ``gauge fields'' (sections in the category of graded manifolds) and each cohomology class of a certain subcomplex of forms on the fiber we associate a cohomology class on the base. Any principal bundle yielding canonically a Q-bundle, this construction generalizes Chern-Weil classes. Novel examples include cohomology classes that are locally the de Rham differential of the integrands of topological sigma models obtained by the AKSZ-formalism in arbitrary dimensions. For Hamiltonian Poisson fibrations one obtains a characteristic 3-class in this manner. We also relate to equivariant cohomology and Lecomte's characteristic classes of exact sequences of Lie algebras.

math.DG↗
arXiv2005

Current Algebras and Differential Geometry

We show that symmetries and gauge symmetries of a large class of 2-dimensional sigma models are described by a new type of a current algebra. The currents are labeled by pairs of a vector field and a 1-form on the target space of the sigma model. We compute the current-current commutator and analyse the anomaly cancellation condition, which can be interpreted geometrically in terms of Dirac structures, previously studied in the mathematical literature. Generalized complex structures correspond to decompositions of the current algebra into pairs of anomaly free subalgebras. Sigma models that we can treat with our method include both physical and topological examples, with and without Wess-Zumino type terms.

hep-th↗
arXiv2004

Dirac Sigma Models

We introduce a new topological sigma model, whose fields are bundle maps from the tangent bundle of a 2-dimensional world-sheet to a Dirac subbundle of an exact Courant algebroid over a target manifold. It generalizes simultaneously the (twisted) Poisson sigma model as well as the G/G-WZW model. The equations of motion are satisfied, iff the corresponding classical field is a Lie algebroid morphism. The Dirac Sigma Model has an inherently topological part as well as a kinetic term which uses a metric on worldsheet and target. The latter contribution serves as a kind of regulator for the theory, while at least classically the gauge invariant content turns out to be independent of any additional structure. In the (twisted) Poisson case one may drop the kinetic term altogether, obtaining the WZ-Poisson sigma model; in general, however, it is compulsory for establishing the morphism property.

hep-th↗
arXiv2004

Algebroid Yang-Mills Theories

A framework for constructing new kinds of gauge theories is suggested. Essentially it consists in replacing Lie algebras by Lie or Courant algebroids. Besides presenting novel topological theories defined in arbitrary spacetime dimensions, we show that equipping Lie algebroids E with a fiber metric having sufficiently many E-Killing vectors leads to an astonishingly mild deformation of ordinary Yang-Mills theories: Additional fields turn out to carry no propagating modes. Instead they serve as moduli parameters gluing together in part different Yang-Mills theories. This leads to a symmetry enhancement at critical points of these fields, as is also typical for String effective field theories.

hep-th↗
arXiv2004

Lie algebroid morphisms, Poisson Sigma Models, and off-shell closed gauge symmetries

Chern-Simons gauge theories in 3 dimensions and the Poisson Sigma Model (PSM) in 2 dimensions are examples of the same theory, if their field equations are interpreted as morphisms of Lie algebroids and their symmetries (on-shell) as homotopies of such morphisms. We point out that the (off-shell) gauge symmetries of the PSM in the literature are not globally well-defined for non-parallelizable Poisson manifolds and propose a covariant definition of them as left action of some finite-dimensional Lie algebroid. Our approach allows to avoid complications arising in the infinite dimensional super-geometry of the BV- and AKSZ-formalism. This preprint is a starting point in a series of papers meant to introduce Yang-Mills type gauge theories of Lie algebroids, which include and generalize the standard YM theory, the PSM, and gerbes.

math.DG↗