The Weil-B.R.S. algebra of a Lie algebra and the anomalous terms in gauge theory (Q1092436)

This paper is a detailed explanation of the mathematical background used in the identification of the anomalies in gauge theory as cohomology classes. The first chapter explains the following concepts: graded commutative differential algebras up to minimal models, cohomology of Lie algebras, operations of Lie algebras on graded commutative differential algebras (this is an abstract setting of the action of the Lie algebra of the structure group on the algebra of differential forms; it is called Lie-Cartan pair by \textit{D. Kastler} and \textit{R. Stora} [ibid. 2, No.3, 1- 31 (1985; Zbl 0593.17009)]. The second chapter explains B.R.S.-(Becchi- Rouet-Stora) algebras and the Weil-B.R.S.-algebra of the Lie algebra. A B.R.S. algebra is the abstract setting of the following algebra: for a principal fibre bundle (P,p,M,G) let C denote the space of connections, let gau(P) be the Lie algebra of the gauge group, then let \(\tilde B^{r,s}\) be the space of all differential operators \(C\times (gau(P))^ s\to \Omega^ r(P)\), which are polynomial in C and alternating multilinear in \((gau(P))^ s\). \(\tilde B^{*,*}\), has two differentials: d is the pointwise acting differential of \(\Omega^*(P)\), and \(\delta\) is built similarly as the differential in Lie algebra cohomology. Furthermore \(\tilde B^{*,*}\) has a canonical (algebraic) connection. A somewhat smaller, \(B^{*,*}\), generated by the components of the connection, houses the anomalies. They are \(\delta\)-cohomology classes modulo d of \(B^{*,*}\) in dimension 1. A generalization of the Weil algebra construction for the Lie algebra of the structure group gives the Weil-B.R.S.-algebra with its canonical connection. It is the universal initial object for B.R.S. algebras with connections and the canonical morphism of it into \(B^{r,s}\) is an isomorphism for \(r<\dim M\). So in order to compute the low dimensional \(\delta\)-cohomology modulo d of \(B^{*,*}\) it suffices to do this for the Weil-B.R.S.-algebra. Exactly this is done in the third chapter for reductive Lie algebras, using spectral sequences. It is also shown that the result in dimension r,1 coincides with the one obtained by descending chain equations (Stora, Zumino). The results of this paper have been obtained by the author, \textit{M. Talon} and \textit{C. M. Viallet} [Commun. Math. Phys. 102, 105-122 (1985; Zbl 0604.58055)]. This paper is a detailed account of the results, it is written in a clear and lucid style, but it is full of misprints.