Complexification of gauge theories (Q679522)

Consider a Hamiltonian system with symmetry group \(G\). Just by counting dimensions, it is reasonable to suspect that restricting to the constraint surface and dividing out by the action of \(G\) is somehow equivalent to dividing out the initial phase space by an action of the complexification \(G_{\mathbb C}\) of \(G\). The authors first show that there is a suitable formulation of this rough statement in which this suspicion is valid. Their real motivation, however, is an infinite-dimensional version of the same idea where \(G\) is the gauge group of some real gauge theory. After a careful analysis of several illustrative finite-dimensional cases, they prove the main result for Yang-Mills theories with compact structure group. The Ashtekar variables of general relativity can also be viewed in the same framework. This is a rigorous and well-written paper.