Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Kinks and cobordism

  • Published:
International Journal of Theoretical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper is concerned with the situation in which the topology of space (or space-time) changes to produce a new manifold that is cobordant with, but not necessarily of the same homotopy type as, the original manifold. The relevance to kink field theories is discussed. It is shown that whenever the concept of degree of mapping is applicable then the degree is conserved under the bordism relation. This has the consequence that certain (topological) fermions arising in general relativity are always conserved in number, even when changes in topology are permitted.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Conner, P. E., and Floyd, E. E. (1964).Differentiable Periodic Maps. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dugundji, J. (1966).Topology. Allyn and Bacon, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eilenberg, S., and Steenrod, N. (1952).Foundations of Algebraic Topology. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finkelstein, D. (1966).Journal of Mathematical Physics,7, 1218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kundt, W. (1967).Communications in Mathematical Physics,4, 143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shastri, A., Williams, J. G., and Zvengrowski, P. (1980).International Journal of Theoretical Physics,19, 1.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spanier, E. H. (1966).Algebraic Topology, p. 207, McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steenrod, N. (1951).Topology of Fibre Bundles. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, J. A. (1968). InBattelle Rencontres 1967 Lectures in Mathematics and Physics, C. M. DeWitt and J. A. Wheeler, eds. Benjamin, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. G., and Zvengrowski, P. (1977).International Journal of Theoretical Physics,16, 755.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yodzis, P. (1972).Communications in Mathematical Physics,26, 39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yodzis, P. (1973).General Relativity and Gravitation,4, 299.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, University of Alberta, T6G 2G1, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

    P. L. Antonelli & J. G. Williams

Authors
  1. P. L. Antonelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. G. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Antonelli, P.L., Williams, J.G. Kinks and cobordism. Int J Theor Phys 18, 779–789 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00670457

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00670457

Keywords

Search

Navigation