Gauge theories of spacetime symmetries

TL;DR

This paper introduces gauge theories of conformal spacetime symmetries that unify aspects of Yang-Mills theory and general relativity, with models expressed through gauge fields forming a metric-like structure.

Contribution

It presents a novel class of gauge theories of conformal spacetime symmetries that are local, nonpolynomial, and can be expressed via a metric constructed from gauge fields.

Findings

General relativity emerges as a gauge theory of spacetime translations.

Models are local and nonpolynomial in gauge fields.

Theories are part of a broader classification of gauge field interactions.

Abstract

Gauge theories of conformal spacetime symmetries are presented which merge features of Yang-Mills theory and general relativity in a new way. The models are local but nonpolynomial in the gauge fields, with a nonpolynomial structure that can be elegantly written in terms of a metric (or vielbein) composed of the gauge fields. General relativity itself emerges from the construction as a gauge theory of spacetime translations. The role of the models within a general classification of consistent interactions of gauge fields is discussed as well.