Supersymmetric quantum theory and non-commutative geometry

Classical differential geometry can be encoded in spectral data, such as Connes' spectral triples, involving supersymmetry algebras. In this paper, we formulate non-commutative geometry in terms of supersymmetric spectral data. This leads to generalizations of Connes' non-commutative spin geometry encompassing non-commutative Riemannian, symplectic, complex-Hermitian and (Hyper-)Kaehler geometry. A general framework for non-commutative geometry is developed from the point of view of supersymmetry and illustrated in terms of examples. In particular, the non-commutative torus and the non-commutative 3-sphere are studied in some detail.Comment: 77 pages, PlainTeX, no figures; present paper is a significantly extended version of the second half of hep-th/9612205. Assumptions in Sect. 2.2.5 clarified; final version to appear in Commun.Math.Phy

Conformal Field Theory and Geometry of Strings

What is quantum geometry? This question is becoming a popular leitmotiv in theoretical physics and in mathematics. Conformal field theory may catch a glimpse of the right answer. We review global aspects of the geometry of conformal fields, such as duality and mirror symmetry, and interpret them within Connes' non-commutative geometry. Extended version of lectures given by the 2nd author at the Mathematical Quantum Theory Conference, Vancouver, Canada, August 4 to 8, 1993Comment: 44 pages, latex file, 5 references adde

Tensor calculus on noncommutative spaces

It is well known that for a given Poisson structure one has infinitely many star products related through the Kontsevich gauge transformations. These gauge transformations have an infinite functional dimension (i.e., correspond to an infinite number of degrees of freedom per point of the base manifold). We show that on a symplectic manifold this freedom may be almost completely eliminated if one extends the star product to all tensor fields in a covariant way and impose some natural conditions on the tensor algebra. The remaining ambiguity either correspond to constant renormalizations to the symplectic structure, or to maps between classically equivalent field theory actions. We also discuss how one can introduce the Riemannian metric in this approach and the consequences of our results for noncommutative gravity theories.Comment: 17p; v2: extended version, to appear in CQ

Poisson Algebra of Wilson Loops and Derivations of Free Algebras

We describe a finite analogue of the Poisson algebra of Wilson loops in Yang-Mills theory. It is shown that this algebra arises in an apparently completely different context; as a Lie algebra of vector fields on a non-commutative space. This suggests that non-commutative geometry plays a fundamental role in the manifestly gauge invariant formulation of Yang-Mills theory. We also construct the deformation of the loop algebra induced by quantization, in the large N_c limit.Comment: 20 pages, no special macros necessar

Quantum Bi-Hamiltonian Systems

We define quantum bi-Hamiltonian systems, by analogy with the classical case, as derivations in operator algebras which are inner derivations with respect to two compatible associative structures. We find such structures by means of the associative version of Nijenhuis tensors. Explicit examples, e.g. for the harmonic oscillator, are given.Comment: 14 pages; the paper is posted for archival purpose