Covariant Derivative on Non-linear Fiber Bundles

Abstract

A gauge field is usually described as a connection on a principal bundle. It induces a covariant derivative on associated vector bundles, sections of which represent matter fields. In general, however, it is not possible to define a covariant derivative on non-linear fiber bundles, i.e. on those which are not vector bundles. We definelogarithmic covariant derivatives acting on two special non-linear fiber bundles — on the principal bundle and on the local gauge group bundle. The logarithmic derivatives map from sections of these bundles to the sections of the local gauge algebra bundle. Some properties of the logarithmic derivatives are formulated.