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Wess-Zumino-Witten action in odd dimensional gauge theories

Journal Article · · Physical Review. D, Particles Fields
 [1]
  1. TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, V6T 2A3 (Canada)

It is shown that Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) type actions can be constructed in odd dimensional space-times using Wilson line or Wilson loop. WZW action constructed using Wilson line gives anomalous gauge variations and the WZW action constructed using Wilson loop gives anomalous chiral transformation. We show that pure gauge theory including Yang-Mills action, Chern-Simons action, and the WZW action can be defined in odd dimensional space-times with even dimensional boundaries. Examples in 3D and 5D are given. We emphasize that this offers a way to generalize gauge theory in odd dimensions. The WZW action constructed using Wilson line cannot be considered as action localized on boundary space-times since it can give anomalous gauge transformations on separated boundaries. We try to show that such WZW action can be obtained in the effective theory when making localized chiral fermions decouple.

OSTI ID:
20871243
Journal Information:
Physical Review. D, Particles Fields, Journal Name: Physical Review. D, Particles Fields Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 74; ISSN PRVDAQ; ISSN 0556-2821
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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