XXVII Workshop on Geometric Methods in Physics 29.06-05.07.2008

Thomas Strobl


Gauge theories and Q-bundles


Considering a general framework for gauge theories, we show that physical requirements lead to the notion of a Q-manifold (which we will recall). This is before one would introduce any ghosts and serves as a concise and useful description of the algebraic-geometric data defining any such a theory. Generalized gauge fields then correspond to sections of bundles in this context. The viewpoint opens the possibility of applying sigma model techniques to general Yang-Mills type gauge theories including e.g. nonabelian gerbes. We intend to also comment on relations of the formalism to correlated subjects such as current algebras in various dimensions.