Generalizations of gravitational theory based on group covariance

Abstract

The mathematical structure, the field equations, and fundamentals of the kinematics of generalizations of general relativity based on semisimple invariance groups are presented. The structure is that of a generalized Kaluza-Klein theory with a subgroup as the gauge group. The group manifold with its Cartan-Killing metric forms the source-free solution. The gauge fields do not vanish even in this case and give rise to additional modes of free motion. The case of the de Sitter groups is presented as an example where the gauge field is tentatively assumed to mediate a spin interaction and give rise to spin motion. Generalization to the conformal group and a theory yielding features of Dirac's large-number hypothesis are discussed. The possibility of further generalizations to include fermions are pointed out. The Kaluza-Klein theory is formulated in terms of principal fibre bundles which need not to be trivial.