Notes on gauge theory and gravitation

In order to investigate whether Einstein's general relativity theory (GRT) fits into the general scheme of a gauge theory, first the concept of a (classical) gauge theory is outlined in an introductionary spacetime approach. Having thus fixed the notation and the main properties of gauge fields, GRT is examined to find out what the gauge potentials and the corresponding gauge group might be. In this way, the possibility is introduced of interpreting GRT as a gauge theory of the 4-dimensional translation group T(4) = (R4,+), and where the gauge potentials are incorporated in a T(4)-invariant way via orthonormal anholonomic basis l-forms. To include also the spin aspect a natural extension of GRT is indicated by gauging also the Lorentz group, whereby a Riemann-Cartan spacetime (U4-spacetime) comes into play. (Auth.)