# Field redefinition's help in constructing non-abelian gauge theories

## TL;DR

This paper investigates whether field redefinitions can facilitate the construction of non-abelian gauge theories, finding limited help from redefinitions alone but more potential when considering models with additional fields from dimensional reduction.

## Contribution

It demonstrates that simple field redefinitions offer limited assistance in developing non-abelian gauge theories, but models with extra fields from dimensional reduction provide more flexibility.

## Key findings

- Field redefinitions do not significantly aid in constructing non-abelian gauge theories.
- Models from dimensional reduction include extra fields that can be redefined for potential benefits.
- Reformulation possibilities are more promising when additional fields are considered.

## Abstract

We study, using the example of general covariance, to what extent a would-be non-abelian extension of free field abelian gauge theory can be helped by a field redefinition; answer - not much! However, models resulting from dimensional reduction also include non-gauge fields to be integrated out, thereby offering a wider choice of redefinitions whose effects may indeed prove useful.