On the global $2$-holonomy for a $2$-connection on a $2$-bundle

Wei Wang

Published 2015-12-29Version 1

A crossed module constitutes a strict $2$-groupoid $\mathcal{G}$ and a $\mathcal{G}$-valued $2$-cocycle on a manifold defines a $2$-bundle. A $2$-connection on this $2$-bundle is given by a Lie algebra $\mathfrak g$ valued $1$-form $A $ and a Lie algebra $\mathfrak h$ valued $2$-form $B $ over each coordinate chart together with $2$-gauge transformations between them, which satisfy the compatibility condition. Locally, the path-ordered integral of $A $ gives us the local $1$-holonomy, and the surface-ordered integral of $(A ,B )$ gives us the local $2$-holonomy. The transformation of local $2$-holonomies from one coordinate chart to another is provided by the transition $2$-arrow, which is constructed from a $2$-gauge transformation. We can use the transition $2$-arrows and the $2$-arrows provided by the $\mathcal{G}$-valued $2$-cocycle to glue such local $2$-holonomies together to get a global one, which is well defined.