A framework for higher gauge theory based on a 2-group is presented, by constructing a groupoid of connections on a manifold acted on by a 2-group of gauge transformations, following previous work by the authors where the general notion of the action of a 2-group on a category was defined. The connections are discretized, given by assignments of 2-group data to 1- and 2-cells coming from a given cell structure on the manifold, and likewise the gauge transformations are given by 2-group assignments to 0-cells. The 2-cells of the manifold are endowed with a bigon structure, matching the 2-dimensional algebra of squares which is used for calculating with 2-group data. Showing that the action of the 2-group of gauge transformations on the groupoid of connections is well-defined is the central result. The effect, on the groupoid of connections, of changing the discretization is studied, and partial results and conjectures are presented around this issue. The transformation double category that arises from the action of a 2-group on a category, as defined in previous work by the authors, is described for the case at hand, where it becomes a transtormation double groupoid. Finally, examples of the construction are given for simple choices of manifold: the circle, the 2-sphere and the torus.
First, the use of double groupoids for approaching higher gauge theory is very much to the fore in an article by Soncini and Zucchini @cite_17 , although the perspective there is rather different to ours. These authors describe HGT transports on a manifold @math endowed with connection 1- and 2-forms, in terms of double functors from a double groupoid of rectangles in @math to a double groupoid constructed from the chosen Lie crossed module. Gauge transformations are then given by double natural transformations and double modifications between these double functors.
@cite_17
1799080932
Abstract In this technical paper, we present a new formulation of higher parallel transport in strict higher gauge theory required for the rigorous construction of Wilson lines and surfaces. Our approach is based on an original notion of Lie crossed module cocycle and cocycle 1- and 2-gauge transformation with a non standard double category theoretic interpretation. We show its equivalence to earlier formulations.