Title: Non-Abelian Gerbes with Connections in Higher Gauge Theory
Abstract: “Higher forms arise as gauge potentials in a number of contexts within physics. The prime example is the Kalb–Ramond B-field of string theory, which is found also in the low-energy supergravity limits. Mathematically, these gauge potentials are connections on higher or categorified principal bundles also known as gerbes. In the Abelian case, the theory of gerbes is well-established and used in many contexts. In this seminar, I will talk about how one can extend this theory to the non-Abelian setting. There, the situation is much more subtle. Although the topological construction of non-Abelian gerbes is relatively straightforward, defining a connection on such a gerbe requires much more work. After formulating the general construction, I will illustrate it by lifting the principal bundle corresponding to an instanton–anti-instanton pair to a string 2-group bundle. Such ”string structures” are believed to play a role in the dynamics of M5-branes.”
Talk – Slides
Talk – Video
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Last Updated: 29th November 2023 by George Rogers
Dominik Rist (Heriot-Watt University)
Title: Non-Abelian Gerbes with Connections in Higher Gauge Theory
Abstract: “Higher forms arise as gauge potentials in a number of contexts within physics. The prime example is the Kalb–Ramond B-field of string theory, which is found also in the low-energy supergravity limits. Mathematically, these gauge potentials are connections on higher or categorified principal bundles also known as gerbes. In the Abelian case, the theory of gerbes is well-established and used in many contexts. In this seminar, I will talk about how one can extend this theory to the non-Abelian setting. There, the situation is much more subtle. Although the topological construction of non-Abelian gerbes is relatively straightforward, defining a connection on such a gerbe requires much more work. After formulating the general construction, I will illustrate it by lifting the principal bundle corresponding to an instanton–anti-instanton pair to a string 2-group bundle. Such ”string structures” are believed to play a role in the dynamics of M5-branes.”
Talk – Slides
Talk – Video
Category: Uncategorised
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