CRC Press Gravitation and Gauge Symmetries (Series in High Energy Physics, Cosmology and Gravitation)

Product Description In the course of the development of electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions, the concept of (internal) gauge invariance grew up and established itself as an unavoidable dynamical principle in particle physics. It is less known that the principle of equivalence, and the basic dynamical properties of the gravitational interaction can also be expressed as a (spacetime) gauge symmetry. Gravitation and Gauge Symmetries sheds light on the connection between the intrinsic structure of gravity and the principle of gauge invariance, which may lead to a consistent unified field theory. The first part of the book gives a systematic account of the structure of gravity as a theory based on spacetime gauge symmetries. Some basic properties of space, time, and gravity are reviewed in the first, introductory chapter. The next chapter deals with elements of global Poincar nd conformal symmetries, which are necessary for the exposition of their localizations; the structure of the corresponding gauge theories of gravity is explored in chapters 3 and 4. Then, in chapters 5 and 6, we present the basic features of the constrained Hamiltonian of Poincar auge theory, discuss the relation between gauge symmetries and conservation laws, and introduce the concept of gravitational energy and other conserved quantities. The second part of the book explores the most promising attempts to build a unified field theory containing gravity, on the basis of the gauge principle. The author presents the possibility to constrict the theory of gravity as a nonlinear field theory in flat spacetime. The final chapters yield an exposition of the ideas of supersymmetry and supergravity, Kaluza-Klein theory, and string theory. Gravitation and Gauge Symmetries will be of interest to postgraduate students and researchers in gravitation, high energy physics and mathematical physics. Review "The book is very well written. It provides a very good pedagogical survey of the gravity from the point of view of gauge theories that are very successful in explaining the other physical interactions. Basic ideas of the most recent theories of unification of all fundamental physical interactions are explored in an effective way. The book contains very useful examples and exercises making understanding of presented ideas easier, and they extend the results discussed in the text. Zdenek Stuchlik in Acta Physica Slovaca "The experience and maturity of the writer are manifest in the clear and pedagogical style of exposition. The subject is a difficult one and the going is tough, but the author does an excellent job of making the topics as digestible as possible, without sacrifice of detail and rigour. Mathematical propriety is maintained, and at the same time there are many illuminations of physical intuition, essential to keep the interest of the physicist alive . . . the book is an excellent introduction to the general area of gauge symmetries and gravity . . . this volume is handsomely produced and printed on good quality paper, making a pleasant and useful addition to a theoretician's library." Lewis Ryder, University of Kent at Canterbury "This book is a rather broad scope, intending to shed light upon the intrinsic structure of gravity and gauge invariance ... This book is accompanied by 13 useful Appendices, wich give, inter alia, some more details on the de Sitter gauge theory, the Ashtekar reformulation of general relativity, and Chern-Simons models in three dimensions ... Certainly, Milutin Blagojevic's book fills a gap in the current literature and will be useful for studentsand researchers of gravity." General Relativity and Gravitation, vol 35, no 7, Jul 03 ok is very well written. It provides a very good pedagogical survey of the gravity from the point of view of gauge theories that are very successful in explaining the other physical interactions. Basic ideas of the most recent theories of unification of all fundamental physical interactions