Electromagnetism and gauge theory on the permutation group \(S_{3}\). (Q1864917)

It is well-known that, to make quantum theory computable it is common to consider its formulation on a flat lattice \(\mathbb{Z}^n\) in place of space time \(\mathbb{R}^n\). On the other hand, using modern methods of noncommutative geometry it is possible to formulate such constructions more ``geometrically'' in terms of a noncommutative exterior algebra of differential forms and a Cartan calculus. Here the authors show that, such methods of noncommutative geometry apply equally well for any Hopf algebra and hence in particular for any finite group \(G\). This offers the possibility for the first time of a natural ``geometric'' lattice approximation by non-Abelian finite groups rather than by a \(\mathbb{Z}^n\) or \((\mathbb{Z}_m)^n\) lattice. It was shown that \(S_3\) has a natural noncommutative Riemannian structure with Ricci curvature essentially proportional to the metric and translation-invariant (like a classical sphere \(S^3)\). The curvature originates in the non-Abelians of the group \(S^3\). The authors look at the nonlinear \(U(1)\) Yang-Mills theory \(F=dA+A\wedge A\) and find the moduli space of flat connections, which turns out to be nontrivial.