The geometry of gauge-particle field interaction: A generalization of Utiyama's theorem (Q1825458)

The main purpose of this paper is to clarify the possible generalizations of some classical results on gauge theory to non-trivializable bundle structures. In particular, the following generalization of Utiyama's theorem is proven: A Lagrangian for particle fields interacting with gauge fields is locally gauge invariant iff it is a function of only the particle fields, their covariant derivatives, and the curvature of the gauge fields. Furthermore, the ``Utiyama extension process'' for obtaining a ``locally'' gauge invariant Lagrangian for interacting fields from a ``globally'' gauge invariant Lagrangian for free fields is treated in some detail. The emphasis of the paper is to work at the group level (rather than at the Lie algebra level), and to use sections in associated bundles (rather than equivariant maps) to describe the particle fields.