Geometric Foundations of Classical Yang-Mills Theory

Catren, Gabriel (2008) Geometric Foundations of Classical Yang-Mills Theory.

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Abstract

We analyze the geometric foundations of classical Yang-Mills theory by studying the relationships between internal relativity, locality, global/local invariance, and background independence. We argue that internal relativity and background independence are the two independent defining principles of Yang-Mills theory. We show that local gauge invariance -heuristically implemented by means of the gauge argument- is a direct consequence of internal relativity. Finally, we analyze the conceptual meaning of BRST symmetry in terms of the invariance of the gauge fixed theory under general local gauge transformations.

Keywords:Yang-Mills Theory, Gauge Theories, BRST Symmetry
Subjects:Specific Sciences: Physics: Symmetries/Invariances
ID Code:4296
Deposited By:Catren, Gabriel
Deposited On:04 November 2008
Additional Information:Published in Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 39 (2008) 511–531.

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