Some results on topological currents in field theory

Abstract

A few exact results concerning topological currents in field theories are obtained. It is generally shown that a topological charge cannot generate any kind of symmetry transformation on fields. It is also proven that the existence of a charge that does not generate any kind of symmetry transformation on fields, has to be of topological origin. As a consequence, it is found that in a given theory, superconductivity via Anderson–Higgs route can only occur if the gauge coupling with other fields is minimal. Several physical implications of these results are studied.