The hidden quantum origin of gauge connections

TL;DR

This paper explores the quantum aspects of gauge connections using fibre bundle theory, suggesting that all interactions, including classical gravity, may have an underlying quantum component, with quantum properties inherent in gauge theories.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum interpretation of gauge connections within the fibre bundle framework, highlighting the quantum nature of classical gauge theories and interactions.

Findings

Quantum properties are intrinsic to gauge connections.

Classical gauge theories may inherently contain quantum features.

Propagation of interactions in spacetime is fundamentally quantum.

Abstract

A fibre bundle viewpoint of gauge field theories is reviewed with focus on a possible quantum interpretation. The fundamental quantum properties of non-separability of state spaces is considered in the context of defining the connection on the fibre bundle, leading to an application of the quantum principles to the geometrical and topological definition of gauge theories. As a result, one could justifiably ask oneself if all interactions of the standard model, and perhaps even classical gravity have some quantum component after all. I employ a standard fibre bundle approach to introduce gauge theories, albeit it is known that a quantum bundle exists, simply because the main scope is to show that in the usual way in which we formulate classical gauge theories one can find quantum aspects that have been unknown until now. In a sense, I will try to justify the assessment that if we are to allow for gauge fields and parallel transport, we may have to allow at least some level of quantumness even in our classical gauge theories. The main statement is that propagation of interactions in spacetime is a quantum phenomenon.