Dirac Sigma Models from Gauging

The G/G WZW model results from the WZW-model by a standard procedure of gauging. G/G WZW models are members of Dirac sigma models, which also contain twisted Poisson sigma models as other examples. We show how the general class of Dirac sigma models can be obtained from a gauging procedure adapted to Lie algebroids in the form of an equivariantly closed extension. The rigid gauge groups are generically infinite dimensional and a standard gauging procedure would give a likewise infinite number of 1-form gauge fields; the proposed construction yields the requested finite number of them. Although physics terminology is used, the presentation is kept accessible also for a mathematical audience.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figure

Non-abelian Gerbes and Enhanced Leibniz Algebras

We present the most general gauge-invariant action functional for coupled 1- and 2-form gauge fields with kinetic terms in generic dimensions, i.e. dropping eventual contributions that can be added in particular space-time dimensions only such as higher Chern-Simons terms. After appropriate field redefinitions it coincides with a truncation of the Samtleben-Szegin-Wimmer action. In the process one sees explicitly how the existence of a gauge invariant functional enforces that the most general semi-strict Lie 2-algebra describing the bundle of a non-abelian gerbe gets reduced to a very particular structure, which, after the field redefinition, can be identified with the one of an enhanced Leibniz algebra. This is the first step towards a systematic construction of such functionals for higher gauge theories, with kinetic terms for a tower of gauge fields up to some highest form degree p, solved here for p = 2.Comment: Accepted for Publication in Rapid Communications PRD, submitted originally on April 8, final revised version on June 3

First Class Constrained Systems and Twisting of Courant Algebroids by a Closed 4-form

We show that in analogy to the introduction of Poisson structures twisted by a closed 3-form by Park and Klimcik-Strobl, the study of three dimensional sigma models with Wess-Zumino term leads in a likewise way to twisting of Courant algebroid structures by closed 4-forms H. The presentation is kept pedagogical and accessible to physicists as well as to mathematicians, explaining in detail in particular the interplay of field transformations in a sigma model with the type of geometrical structures induced on a target. In fact, as we also show, even if one does not know the mathematical concept of a Courant algebroid, the study of a rather general class of 3-dimensional sigma models leads one to that notion by itself. Courant algebroids became of relevance for mathematical physics lately from several perspectives - like for example by means of using generalized complex structures in String Theory. One may expect that their twisting by the curvature H of some 3-form Ramond-Ramond gauge field will become of relevance as well.Comment: 25 pages, invited contribution to the Wolfgang Kummer memorial volum

Lie algebroids, gauge theories, and compatible geometrical structures

The construction of gauge theories beyond the realm of Lie groups and algebras leads one to consider Lie groupoids and algebroids equipped with additional geometrical structures which, for gauge invariance of the construction, need to satisfy particular compatibility conditions. This paper analyzes these compatibilities from a mathematical perspective. In particular, we show that the compatibility of a connection with a Lie algebroid that one finds is the Cartan condition, introduced previously by A. Blaom. For the metric on the base M of a Lie algebroid equipped with any connection, we show that the compatibility suggested from gauge theories implies that the (possibly singular) foliation induced by the Lie algebroid becomes a Riemannian foliation. Building upon a result of del Hoyo and Fernandes, we prove furthermore that every Lie algebroid integrating to a proper Lie groupoid admits a compatible Riemannian base. We also consider the case where the base is equipped with a compatible symplectic or generalized metric structure.Comment: 25 pages. This is the first part of the original preprint that was split into two parts for publication, with a new title, abstract, and introduction. The second, somewhat extended part, entitled 'Universal Cartan-Lie algebroid of an anchored bundle with connection and compatible geometries' is published at Journal of Geometry and Physics 135 (2019) 1-6 and can be found under arXiv:1904.0580

Quantization and the Issue of Time for Various Two-Dimensional Models of Gravity

It is shown that the models of 2D Liouville Gravity, 2D Black Hole- and $R^2$-Gravity are {\em embedded} in the Katanaev-Volovich model of 2D NonEinsteinian Gravity. Different approaches to the formulation of a quantum theory for the above systems are then presented: The Dirac constraints can be solved exactly in the momentum representation, the path integral can be integrated out, and the constraint algebra can be {\em explicitely} canonically abelianized, thus allowing also for a (superficial) reduced phase space quantization. Non--trivial dynamics are obtained by means of time dependent gauges. All of these approaches lead to the {\em same} finite dimensional quantum mechanical system.Comment: 4 pages, LaTeX, Talk given at the Journ\'ees Relativistes '93, TUW930

Hidden Q-structure and Lie 3-algebra for non-abelian superconformal models in six dimensions

We disclose the mathematical structure underlying the gauge field sector of the recently constructed non-abelian superconformal models in six spacetime dimensions. This is a coupled system of 1-form, 2-form, and 3-form gauge fields. We show that the algebraic consistency constraints governing this system permit to define a Lie 3-algebra, generalizing the structural Lie algebra of a standard Yang-Mills theory to the setting of a higher bundle. Reformulating the Lie 3-algebra in terms of a nilpotent degree 1 BRST-type operator Q, this higher bundle can be compactly described by means of a Q-bundle; its fiber is the shifted tangent of the Q-manifold corresponding to the Lie 3-algebra and its base the odd tangent bundle of spacetime equipped with the de Rham differential. The generalized Bianchi identities can then be retrieved concisely from Q^2=0, which encode all the essence of the structural identities. Gauge transformations are identified as vertical inner automorphisms of such a bundle, their algebra being determined from a Q-derived bracket.Comment: 51 pages, 3 figure

Poisson Structure Induced (Topological) Field Theories

A class of two dimensional field theories, based on (generically degenerate) Poisson structures and generalizing gravity-Yang-Mills systems, is presented. Locally, the solutions of the classical equations of motion are given. A general scheme for the quantization of the models in a Hamiltonian formulation is found.Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX, TUW940