Groups of loops and hoops (Q5940500)

One approach to quantum field theory is to consider states as functionals on closed curves instead functions on spaces. In this approach it becomes actual to consider group structures on spaces of closed curves and holonomies around them. One can naturally define an inverse element (\(\alpha(t)\mapsto \alpha^{-1}(t)=\alpha(1-t)\)), multiplication and identify curves differing by reparametrisation. To make this space a group we need to perform further identification. Identifying curves \(\alpha\beta\) and \(\alpha\rho\rho^{-1}\beta\) we come to the group of loops. Another identification is obtained as follows: Given a principal bundle, \((E,M,G,\pi)\), where \(G\) is a Lie group, identify two curves if they have the same holonomy for every connection in the fibre bundle. Thus we come to so called groop of loops. The purpose of the paper is to clarify the relation between groops of loops and of hoops. One considers the group \(E_G\) of identities of the group \(G\). This is a subgroup of words such that a word \(w=e_1^{\varepsilon_1} e_2^{\varepsilon_2} \dots e_k^{\varepsilon_k}\) belongs to \(E_G\) if \(g_1^{\varepsilon_1} g_2^{\varepsilon_2}\dots g_k^{\varepsilon_k}=1\) for arbitrary elements \(\{g_1,\dots, g_k\}\) of the group \(G\), (\(\varepsilon_i=\pm 1\)). The author studies relations between groop of hoops and factors of group of loops by its subgroup generated by \(E_G\). In particular, groups of loops and of hoops coincide if \(G\) is connected and non-solvable.