Three-dimensional $SL(2,R)$ Yang-Mills theory is equivalent to three-dimensional gravity with background sources

Leron Borsten, Dimitri Kanakaris, Hyungrok Kim

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Abstract

Chern-Simons theory with certain gauge groups is known to be equivalent to a first-order formulation of three-dimensional Einstein gravity with a cosmological constant, where both are purely topological. Here, we extend this correspondence to theories with dynamical degrees of freedom. As an example, we show that three-dimensional Yang-Mills theory with gauge group SLð2;RÞ is equivalent to the first-order formulation of three-dimensional Einstein gravity with no cosmological constant coupled to a background stress-energy tensor density (which breaks the diffeomorphism symmetry). The local degree of freedom of three-dimensional Yang-Mills theory corresponds to degenerate “gravitational waves” in which the metric is degenerate and the spin connection is no longer completely determined by the metric. Turning on a cosmological constant produces the third-way (for Λ < 0) or the imaginary third-way (for Λ > 0) gauge theories with a background stress-energy tensor density.
Original languageEnglish
Article number025005
Pages (from-to)1-7
Number of pages7
JournalPhysical Review D
Volume111
Early online date6 Jan 2025
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 6 Jan 2025

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