Classification of $T^2/Z_m$ orbifold boundary conditions in $SO(N)$ gauge theories

Abstract

We generally classify the equivalence classes of the $T^2/Z_m$ $(m=2,3,4,6)$ orbifold boundary conditions (BCs) for the $SO(N)$ gauge group. Higher-dimensional gauge theories are defined by gauge groups, matter field contents, and the BCs. The numerous patterns of the BCs are classified into the finite equivalence classes, each of which consists of the physically equivalent BCs. In this paper, we reconstruct the canonical forms of the BCs for the $SO(N)$ gauge group through the ``re-orthogonalization method." All the possible equivalent relations between the canonical forms are examined by using the trace conservation laws. The number of the equivalence classes in each orbifold model is obtained.