Properties of nonlinear Hodge fields (Q1299227)

The paper considers over an \(n\)-dimensional manifold \(M\) a vector bundle \(X\) with compact structure group \(G\). Let \(A\) be a connection with curvature \(B\), the system \(D_A B= D^*_A (\rho (|B |^2) B)= 0\) is introduced. As usual \(D^*_A\) is the formal adjoint of the covariant derivative \(D_A\) and \(\rho\) is a \(C^*\) function satisfying suitable bounds. Several interesting variations in this framework are possible. If \(G\) is abelian and \(X=T^* M\) we have a nonlinear Hodge equation. If \(G\) is non-ableian but \(\rho\) is constant, then the equations reduce to the Yang-Mills equations. The first result assumes that \(M\) is a euclidean or hyperbolic space and \(A\) having a possible singularity on a compact subset of codimension at least three, under suitable bounds on \(B\), then \(B\) vanishes almost everywhere on \(M\). Apparent singularities are also studied, under certain hypotheses on the integrability of the field, the size of the singularity and the dimensions; a removable singularity result is given. A simple model for magnetic fields in permanent magnets arising from the equations is also considered, and a global trivility result for the associated \(B\) is given.