invariant theory

Noun

invariant theory (countable and uncountable, plural invariant theories)

1. (representation theory) The branch of algebra concerned with actions of groups on algebraic varieties from the point of view of their effect on functions.
   • Today, invariant theory is often understood as a branch of representation theory, algebraic geometry, commutative algebra, and algebraic combinatorics. Each of these four disciplines has roots in nineteenth-century invariant theory. […] In modern terms, the basic problem of invariant theory can be...1993, Bernd Sturmfels, Introduction, David Hilbert, Reinhard C. Laubenbacher (translator and editor), Bernd Sturmfels (editor), Theory of Algebraic Invariants, Cambridge University Press, page xi
   • Invariant theory is the great romantic story of mathematics.[…]In our century, Lie theory and algebraic geometry, differential algebra and algebraic combinatorics are all offsprings of invariant theory.2001, Gian-Carlo Rota, “What is invariant theory, really?”, in H. Crapo, D. Senato, editors, Algebraic Combinatorics and Computer Science: A Tribute to Gian-Carlo Rota, Springer,, page 41
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see invariant, theory.
   • The point is that, to construct locally invariant theories, new fields have to be introduced which are referred to as the gauge fields.2012, M. Chaichian, N. F. Nelipa, Introduction to Gauge Field Theories, Springer, page 4