Gauge forms on \(\text{SU}(2)\)-bundles (Q1301346)

A gauge transformation (g.t.) of a principal \(G\)-bundle \(P\) is a fibre preserving automorphism of it. Every g.t. of \(P\) induces an automorphism, called also a g.t., on the bundle of connections \(\mathcal{C} (P)\). The authors consider \(G=\text{SU}(2)\) as a 3-sphere \(S^3\) and introduce the coordinates on \(\mathcal{C}(P)\) which are used for investigating the algebra of gauge invariant differential forms on \(\mathcal{C}(P)\). They prove that this algebra is generated over the algebra of differential forms on the base manifold \(M\) by a 4-form \(\eta _4\), constructed in an explicit manner using the local expression of a connection. As \(p: \mathcal{C} (P)\longmapsto M\) is an affine bundle, \(p\) induces an isomorphism in the cohomology algebra. The authors prove that the cohomology class of \({\eta _4}\) concides with \( - 4 \pi ^2\) times \(p^*(c_2(P))\), where \(c_2(P)\) denotes the second Chern class of \(P\). However, as they argue, the form \(\eta_4\) provides more information then the Chern class. The proofs are elaborate and well conducted.