Gauge invariant composite fields out of connections, with examples

TL;DR

This paper introduces a systematic method to construct gauge invariant composite fields from connections, with applications to the Standard Model, gravity, and new gauge theories involving Atiyah Lie algebroids.

Contribution

It presents a unifying approach to build gauge invariant fields using group valued fields, extending known models and introducing new possibilities in gauge theories.

Findings

Reinterpretation of electroweak symmetry breaking

Application to Einstein's gravity as a gauge theory

Description of massive vector fields from Atiyah Lie algebroids

Abstract

In this paper we put forward a systematic and unifying approach to construct gauge invariant composite fields out of connections. It relies on the existence in the theory of a group valued field with a prescribed gauge transformation. As an illustration, we detail some examples. Two of them are based on known results: the first one provides a reinterpretation of the symmetry breaking mechanism of the electroweak part of the Standard Model of particle physics; the second one is an application to Einstein's theory of gravity described as a gauge theory in terms of Cartan connections. The last example depicts a new situation: starting with a gauge field theory on Atiyah Lie algebroids, the gauge invariant composite fields describe massive vector fields. Some mathematical and physical discussions illustrate and highlight the relevance and the generality of this approach.