Related papers: An Invitation to Higher Gauge Theory
Using a six-orientifold, fourbranes and four fivebranes in type IIA string theory we construct $\mathcal{N}$=1 supersymmetric gauge theories in four dimensions with product group $SU(M)\times SO(N)$ or $SU(M)\times Sp(2N)$, a bifundamental…
The subject of this thesis are various ways to construct four-dimensional quantum field theories from string theory. In a first part we study the generation of a supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, coupled to an adjoint chiral superfield,…
This paper discusses the relationships between gauge theories defined by gauge groups with finite trivially-acting centers, and theories with restrictions on nonperturbative sectors, in two and four dimensions. In two dimensions, these…
We present a consistency condition for 8d ${\cal N} = 1$ supergravity theories with non-trivial global structure $G/Z$ for the non-Abelian gauge group, based on an anomaly involving the $Z$ 1-form center symmetry. The interplay with other…
Superstring theory, and a recent extension called M theory, are leading candidates for a quantum theory that unifies gravity with the other forces. As such, they are certainly not ordinary quantum field theories. However, recent duality…
Supergravity theories in more than four dimensions with grand unified gauge symmetries are an important intermediate step towards the ultraviolet completion of the Standard Model in string theory. Using toric geometry, we classify and…
In this thesis, the emerging field of higher gauge theory will be discussed, particularly in relation to problems arising in M-theory, such as selfdual strings and the so-called (2,0) theory. This thesis will begin with a Nahm-like…
We formulate the most general gravitational models with constant negative curvature ("hyperbolic gravity") on an arbitrary orientable two-dimensional surface of genus $g$ with $b$ circle boundaries in terms of a $\text{PSL}(2,\mathbb…
We discuss the (dual-)gauge transformations and BRST cohomology for the two (1 + 1)-dimensional (2D) free Abelian one-form and four (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) free Abelian 2-form gauge theories by exploiting the (co-)BRST symmetries (and…
We study the quantum mechanics of a system of topologically interacting particles in 2+1 dimensions, which is described by coupling the particles to a Chern-Simons gauge field of an inhomogeneous group. Analysis of the phase space shows…
We examine the gauge generating nature of the translational subgroup of Wigner's little group for the case of massless tensor gauge theories and show that the gauge transformations generated by the translational group is only a subset of…
Recent work applying higher gauge theory to the superstring has indicated the presence of `higher symmetry'. Infinitesimally, this is realized by a `Lie 2-superalgebra' extending the Poincare superalgebra in precisely the dimensions where…
The gauge theories underlying gauged supergravity and exceptional field theory are based on tensor hierarchies: generalizations of Yang-Mills theory utilizing algebraic structures that generalize Lie algebras and, as a consequence, require…
In this paper, we explore the algebraic and geometric structures that arise from a procedure we dub "gauging the gauge", which involves the promotion of a certain global, coordinate independent symmetry to a local one. By gauging the global…
We construct intersecting D-brane configurations that encode the gauge groups and field content of dual N=4 supersymmetric gauge theories in three dimensions. The duality which exchanges the Coulomb and Higgs branches and the…
Supergravity provides the effective field theories for string compactifications. The deformation of the maximal supergravities by non-abelian gauge interactions is only possible for a restricted class of charges. Generically these…
When placed on four-manifolds, $ \mathcal{N} = 2 $ gauge theories couple to topological invariants of the background via two functions $ A $ and $ B $. General considerations allow for these functions to be fixed in terms of the Coulomb…
Lattice Gauge Theory in 4-dimensional Euclidean space-time is generalized to ribbon categories which replace the category of representations of the gauge group. This provides a framework in which the gauge group becomes a quantum group…
We revisit the field content and consistency of the New General Relativity family of theories. These theories are constructed in a geometrical framework with a flat and metric-compatible connection, so the affine structure is entirely…
We study two-dimensional topological gauge theories with gauge group equal to the symmetric group $S_n$ and their string theory duals. The simplest such theory is the topological quantum field theory of principal $S_n$ fiber bundles. Its…