Partial ordering of gauge orbit types for SU\(_n\)-gauge theories (Q1602461)

The authors investigate the natural partial ordering of the orbit types of the action of the group of local gauge transformations on the space of connections in space-times of dimension \(d\leq 4\). Their methodology involves a description of orbit types in terms of cohomology elements of space-time, and the partial ordering is characterized by algebraic equations. Operators to generate direct successors and direct predecessors are defined, and the latter permit one to successively reconstruct the set of orbit types from the principal type. Contents include: an introduction; classification of gauge orbit types; characterization of the partial ordering; Bratteli diagrams; direct successors; direct predecessors; the gauge orbit types for \(\text{SU}_2\).