∞-Chern–Simons theory

In mathematics, ∞-Chern–Simons theory (not to be confused with infinite-dimensional Chern–Simons theory) is a generalized formulation of Chern–Simons theory from differential geometry using the formalism of higher category theory, which in particular studies ∞-categories. It is obtained by taking general abstract analogs of all involved concepts defined in any cohesive ∞-topos, for example that of smooth ∞-groupoids. Principal bundles on which Lie groups act are for example replaced by ∞-principal bundles on with group objects in ∞-topoi act.^[1] The theory is named after Shiing-Shen Chern and James Simons, who first described Chern–Simons forms in 1974,^[2] although the generalization was not developed by them.

See also

• ∞-Chern–Weil theory

Literature

• Domenico Fiorenza; Urs Schreiber; Jim Stasheff (2011-06-08). "Cech cocycles for differential characteristic classes -- An infinity-Lie theoretic construction". arXiv:1011.4735.
• Schreiber, Urs (2011-11-16). Chern-Simons terms on higher moduli stacks (PDF). Hausdorff Institute Bonn.
• Schreiber, Urs (2013-10-29). Differential cohomology in a cohesive ∞-topos (PDF).
• Domenico Fiorenza; Hisham Sati; Urs Schreiber (2011-12-07). "A higher stacky perspective on Chern-Simons theory". arXiv:1301.2580.