Poincaré gauge theory and Galilean covariance (Q1961067)

Recently, \textit{D. Cangemi} and \textit{F. Jackiw} (Zbl 0841.53062, Zbl 0869.53072, Zbl 0991.33966) described two-dimensional gravity in terms of a gauge theory, the gauge group being a central extension of the two-dimensional Poincaré group. Cangemi and Jackiw also noticed that its Lie algebra admits an invariant metric \(\eta\). Lateron, Nappi and Witten used this structure to construct a conformal field theory. The authors share the view with Jackiw that the occurance of \(\eta\) remains mysterious. Hence, the main purpose of the present article is to analyze quite generally the connection between the structure of a Lie algebra and the existence of invariant bilinear forms on it (the Killing form is just a particular case). By analogy to the relativistic situation, the authors then explore several consequences of Galilean covariance using a metric similar to \(\eta q\). As an example, they obtain the nonrelatistic limit of Maxwell's theory.