Gauge field theories: various mathematical approaches

Abstract

This paper presents relevant modern mathematical formulations for (classical) gauge field theories, namely, ordinary differential geometry, noncommutative geometry, and transitive Lie algebroids. They provide rigorous frameworks to describe Yang-Mills-Higgs theories or gravitation theories, and each of them improves the paradigm of gauge field theories. A brief comparison between them is carried out, essentially due to the various notions of connection. However they reveal a compelling common mathematical pattern on which the paper concludes.Comment: 33 pages. To be published in the book: Mathematical Structures of the Universe (Copernicus Center Press, Krak\'ow, Poland, 2014