Higher gauge theories from Lie n-algebras and off-shell covariantization
Abstract
We analyze higher gauge theories in various dimensions using a supergeometric method based on a differential graded symplectic manifold, called a QP-manifold, which is closely related to the BRST-BV formalism in gauge theories. Extensions of the Lie 2-algebra gauge structure are formulated within the Lie n-algebra induced by the QP-structure. We find that in 5 and 6 dimensions there are special extensions of the gauge algebra. In these cases, a restriction of the gauge symmetry by imposing constraints on the auxiliary gauge fields leads to a covariantized theory. As an example we show that we can obtain an off-shell covariantized higher gauge theory in 5 dimensions, which is similar to the one proposed in [1].
- Publication:
-
Journal of High Energy Physics
- Pub Date:
- July 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1007/JHEP07(2016)125
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1606.03861
- Bibcode:
- 2016JHEP...07..125C
- Keywords:
-
- Differential and Algebraic Geometry;
- Gauge Symmetry;
- M-Theory;
- Topological Strings;
- High Energy Physics - Theory;
- Mathematical Physics
- E-Print:
- 39 pages