Help defining a commutator and using rules

30 views
Skip to first unread message

Alexis Navarro Ruiz

unread,
Mar 25, 2026, 5:48:16 PM (8 days ago) Mar 25
to xAct Tensor Computer Algebra
Hey everyone, I'm new to Mathematica and even newer to xAct, so I don't really know much about it. I'm currently working on gauge theories in gravity, and I'd like to define a commutator for the covariant derivative or set up the abstract algebra of the group I'm working with, so I can use it in later calculations maybe like MakeRule… but I have no idea how to do it. Could anyone give me a hand or share their experience on how to go about this sort of thing?

Thanks to everyone
Alex

Juan Margalef

unread,
Mar 30, 2026, 11:47:39 AM (3 days ago) Mar 30
to xAct Tensor Computer Algebra
Hi Alex,

It is a bit hard to know what you are trying to achieve without further details. Try to provide some examples of what you have done and exactly what you want to do (add code and formulas if possible). When you sat "commutator for the covariant derivative" are you talking about the curvature on a vector bundle? If so, you can use

DefManifold[M, 4, {a, b, c, d, f}]
DefVBundle[inner, M, 5, {A, B, C, D, F}]
DefCovD[CD[-a], inner]

That would define the FRiemann tensor which might be what you are looking for.

Best,
Juan

Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages