A Simple Algebraic Derivation of the Covariant Anomaly and Schwinger Term

Abstract

An expression for the curvature of the "covariant" determinant line bundle is given in even dimensional space-time. The usefulness is guaranteed by its prediction of the covariant anomaly and Schwinger term. It allows a parallel derivation of the consistent anomaly and Schwinger term, and their covariant counterparts, which clarifies the similarities and differences between them. In particular, it becomes clear that in contrary to the case for anomalies, the difference between the consistent and covariant Schwinger term can not be extended to a local form on the space of gauge potentials.