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The most intuitive example of a gauge symmetry is such where you take a theory that has some global symmetry, and ask what needs to be done for this symmetry to be local. This procedure involves the introduction of new fields. For example, when a global phase symmetry becomes local, you must include the four-potential and the E.M. field (Or EM-like field?).

  1. Is a vector field the only result of this procedure? Can, for example, the metric field and invariance to local change of coordinates, be obtained from a promotion of a global symmetry (global change of coordinates I assume?) to a local one?
  2. What are common examples of gauge symmetries that do not emerge from global symmetries? In particular, examples that do not involve the introduction of new fields? I know that in string theory global symmetries of the world-sheet become local symmetries of space-time.
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    $\begingroup$ 1) GR can be obtained by gauging Lorentz symmetry - the corresponding gauge field is the vielbein. 2) Gauging of discrete symmetries does not lead to introduction of new fields. $\endgroup$
    – Prahar
    Commented Mar 9, 2020 at 22:05
  • $\begingroup$ 1. Can you give a reference for that? You actually get four gauge fields? 2. I think this is not always the case, for example gauge the 1d Ising model. Is there a way do understand when new fields are required? $\endgroup$
    – proton
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 11:30
  • $\begingroup$ 1) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein%E2%80%93Cartan_theory 2) Can you explain your comment with 1D Ising model more - I do not know it. My understanding (and I think I am correct) is that gauge fields are needed if you gauge continuous global symmetries. If you gauge discrete symmetries, you might need to introduce additional line operators, but you do not need new local operators. $\endgroup$
    – Prahar
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 17:55

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Pure E&M without matter has gauge symmetry ${\bf A}^{\prime}={\bf A}+\mathrm{d}\Lambda$ but is without the global gauge symmetry where $\Lambda={\rm const}.$

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  • $\begingroup$ Not sure I understand. If $\Lambda=const$ then $d\Lambda=0$ so $\boldsymbol{A}$ transforms trivially. $\endgroup$
    – proton
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 12:03
  • $\begingroup$ $\uparrow$ Right. $\endgroup$
    – Qmechanic ♦
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 12:06
  • $\begingroup$ So why do you say there is no global symmetry? $\endgroup$
    – proton
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 12:10
  • $\begingroup$ Because a trivial transformation is by definition not a symmetry. $\endgroup$
    – Qmechanic ♦
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 12:14
  • $\begingroup$ I see, but it feels as if this is just an extreme case of gauge invariance (where even the connection one-form remains invariant). $\endgroup$
    – NDewolf
    Commented Mar 10, 2020 at 13:22
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A theory invariant under some spacetime-dependent transformations is automatically invariant under the constant transformations. So there's always a group of global symmetries that resemble the local ones. Usually these global symmetries are not treated as gauge symmetries. The transformations they induce are physically non-trivial, and their generators act non-trivially on the space of states.

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    $\begingroup$ Local symmetries often preserve boundary conditions, global symmetries do not. This is in fact, the very reason that global symmetries are non-trivial and local symmetries are (often) trivial. Generally speaking, because of such boundary issues, it is not always the case that local symmetries $\implies$ global symmetries. $\endgroup$
    – Prahar
    Commented Mar 9, 2020 at 22:05
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Consider a local gauge symmetry. Then you can apply that symmetry everywhere in your theory, and you get a global symmetry. For every gauge symmetry, there exists an exact global symmetry. This is a result of the exponential map connecting the Lie Algebra to the Lie Group.

What this means is that every gauge symmetry can be thought of as the localization of a global symmetry.

Now this probably gives an answer to your question. The interesting way, in my opinion, is the other way.

"What are examples of global symmetries that don't come from a local gauge theory?"

Given my reference to the exponential map, your intuition should tell you that looking for "weird" and "not-nice" global symmetries is the way to go.

What is a famous example of global "symmetry" that is weird? The chiral symmetry. This is an axial anomaly, and while you can localize it, it is not really in terms of gauge fields, or in a particularly nice way in my opinion.

Here is an answer that talks about this.

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