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Dynamical Edge Modes in Yang-Mills Theory
by Adam Ball, Luca Ciambelli
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Luca Ciambelli |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | scipost_202511_00020v1 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | Dec. 18, 2025 |
| Date submitted: | Nov. 11, 2025, 6:53 p.m. |
| Submitted by: | Luca Ciambelli |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
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| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approach: | Theoretical |
Abstract
We study the symplectic structure and dynamics of Yang-Mills theory in the presence of a boundary. We introduce a decomposition of the fields on a Cauchy slice such that the symplectic form splits cleanly into independent bulk and edge parts. However, we find that the dynamics inherently couples these two symplectic sectors, a feature arising from the non-abelian nature of the gauge group. This is shown by extending to Yang-Mills theory the dynamical edge mode boundary condition recently introduced in Maxwell theory. We finish with analyses of the weak-field expansion and the horizon limit, finding in the latter case that the dynamical interplay between bulk and edge degrees of freedom persists.
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Current status:
Editorial decision:
For Journal SciPost Physics: Publish
(status: Editorial decision fixed and (if required) accepted by authors)