Structure of gauge and gravitational anomalies*

Journal Article · Wed May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4916(85)90087-9· OSTI ID:5601098

Alvarez-Gaume, L; Ginsparg, P

It is shown how the form of the gauge and gravitational anomalies in quantum field theories may be derived from classical index theorems. The gravitational anomaly in both Einstein and Lorentz form is considered and their equivalence is exhibited. The formalism of gauge and gravitational theories is reviewed using the language of differential geometry, and notions from the theory of characteristic classes necessary for understanding the classical index theorems are introduced. The treatment of known topological results includes a pedagogical derivation of the Wess-Zumino effective Lagrangian in abitrary even dimension. The relation between various forms of the anomaly present in the literature is also clarified.

• Research Organization: Lyman Laboratory of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 01238
• OSTI ID: 5601098
• Journal Information: Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States), Journal Name: Ann. Phys. (N.Y.); (United States) Vol. 161:2; ISSN APNYA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

645400* -- High Energy Physics-- Field Theory
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS
ALGEBRAIC CURRENTS
CURRENTS
DIFFERENTIAL GEOMETRY
ENERGY-MOMENTUM TENSOR
FIELD THEORIES
FUNCTIONS
GAUGE INVARIANCE
GEOMETRY
GRAVITATION
INVARIANCE PRINCIPLES
MATHEMATICS
POLYNOMIALS
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
TENSORS