Skip to main content
Log in

Topological anomalies: Explicit examples

  • Published:
Communications in Mathematical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We discuss the mathematical picture of anomalies. By solving the Dirac equation in the background of non-trivial families of gauge connections, we show explicitly the interplay between spectral flows, zero modes of the Dirac operator and projective representations of the gauge group, and the existence of both perturbative and non-perturbative anomalies. We give an explicit expression for the fermion determinant for chiral QCD in two dimensions when an anomaly is present.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zumino, B., Wu, Y.S., Zee, A.: Chiral anomalies, higher dimensions, and differential geometry. Nucl. Phys. B239, 477–507 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bardeen, W.A., White, A.R. (eds.): Symposium on anomalies, geometry, topology. Singapore: World Scientific 1985 and references therein

    Google Scholar 

  3. Alvarez-Gaumé, L., Ginsparg, P.: The topological meaning of nonabelian anomalies. Nucl. Phys. B243, 449 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Atiyah, M., Singer, I.M.: Dirac operators coupled to vector potentials. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA81, 2597 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Singer, I.M.: Some remarks on the Gribov ambiguity. Commun. Math. Phys.60, 7–12 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Atiyah, M., Jones, J.D.: Topological aspects of Yang-Mills theory. Commun. Math. Phys.61, 97–118 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Witten, E.: AnSU(2) anomaly. Phys. Lett.117 B, 324 (1982)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Faddeev, L.D.: Operator anomaly for Gauss law. Phys. Lett.145 B, 81 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Nelson, P., Alvarez-Gaumé, L.: Hamiltonian interpretation of anomalies. Commun. Math. Phys.99, 103–114 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Segal, G.: Faddeev's anomaly and Gauss' law, preprint, Oxford

  11. Redlich, A.N.: Gauge noninvariance and parity nonconservation of three-dimensional fermions. Phys. Rev. Lett.52, 18–21 (1984); Parity violation and gauge noninvariance of the effective gauge field action in three dimensions. Phys. Rev. D29, 2366–2374 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Chang, L.N., Liang, Y.: To appear

  13. Forte, S.: Two- and four-dimensional anomalies with an instanton background, preprint, MIT, CTP 1342; Phys. Lett.174B, 309–312 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by L. Alvarez-Gaumé

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chang, L.N., Liang, Y. Topological anomalies: Explicit examples. Commun.Math. Phys. 108, 139–152 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01210706

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01210706

Keywords

Navigation