Geometric fermions

Abstract

We study the Kähler-Dirac equation which linearizes the laplacian on the space of antisymmetric tensor fields. In flat space-time it is equivalent to the Dirac equation with internal symmetry and on the lattice it reproduces Susskind fermions. The KD equation in curved space-time differs from the Dirac equation by coupling the gravitational field to the internal symmetry generators. This new way of treating fermionic degrees of freedom may lead to a solution of the generation puzzle but is in conflict with the equivalence principle and with Lorentz invariance on the Planck-mass scale. © 1982.