The evaluation map in field theory, sigma-models and strings. I (Q1103217)

This, the first in a series of two papers, presents a systematic analysis of anomalies in field theories (the second part [the authors, ibid. 114, 381-437 (1988)] is devoted to sigma-models) from a unifying point of view. The latter is based on the evaluation map defined by the group of all automorphisms of a principal fibre bundle P acting on the bundle itself. All anomalies (gauge, gravitational, Lorentz) are generated by pulling back suitable forms on P via this evaluation map, allowing a straightforward computation both with and without a background connection. The authors discuss the ``gauge'' interpretation of gravitational anomalies (relevant for the equivalence between gravitational and Lorentz anomalies) and the topological significance of gauge anomalies in the general case (i.e. for any compact base manifold and any compact structure group). Furthermore it is shown that, in general, ``local'' anomalies are generated by forms on P which are the pullback of forms defined on the universal bundle associated with P. This identification of locality and universality underlies the authors' discussion of the compatibility between locality and the family's index theorem approach to anomalies. The final subject of the paper is the anomaly cancellation mechanism in 10-dimensional field theories inspired by the Green-Schwarz superstring [\textit{M. Green} and \textit{J. Schwarz}, Phys. Lett., B 149, 117-122 (1984)]. The necessary geometrical constraints are discussed. A discussion of the same subject in the framework of sigma-models is contained in Part II of the series.