Structure of the space of reducible connections for Yang-Mills theories

Abstract The geometrical structure of the gauge equivalence classes of reducible connections are investigated. The general procedure to determine the set of orbit types (strata) generated by the action of the gauge group on the space of gauge potentials is given. In the so obtained classification, a stratum, containing generically certain reducible connections, corresponds to a class of isomorphic subbundles given by an orbit of the structure and gauge group. The structure of every stratum is completely clarified. A nonmain stratum can be understood in terms of the main stratum corresponding to a stratification at the level of a subbundle.