Topological higher gauge theory: From BF to BFCG theory

Journal Article · Sat Mar 15 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · Journal of Mathematical Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2888764· OSTI ID:21100241

Girelli, F ^[1]; de Trieste, INFN sezione ^[2]; Pfeiffer, H ^[3]; Popescu, E M ^[4]

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1. SISSA, 4 via Beirut, Trieste 34014 (Italy)
2. Italy
3. Department of Mathematics, University of British Columbia, 1984 Mathematics Road, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z2 (Canada)
4. Department of Physics and Computer Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3C5 (Canada)

We study generalizations of three- and four-dimensional BF theories in the context of higher gauge theory. First, we construct topological higher gauge theories as discrete state sum models and explain how they are related to the state sums of Yetter, Mackaay, and Porter. Under certain conditions, we can present their corresponding continuum counterparts in terms of classical Lagrangians. We then explain that two of these models are already familiar from the literature: the {sigma}{phi}EA model of three-dimensional gravity coupled to topological matter and also a four-dimensional model of BF theory coupled to topological matter.

• OSTI ID: 21100241
• Journal Information: Journal of Mathematical Physics, Vol. 49, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2888764; (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0022-2488
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
FOUR-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
GAUGE INVARIANCE
GRAVITATION
LAGRANGIAN FUNCTION
MATTER
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TOPOLOGY