# Is reparameterization invariance some kind of gauge symmetry?

On page 116 of this book it is said, that reparameterization invariance of the string action is analogous to the gauge invariance in electrodynamices.

Whereas Maxwell's equations are symmetric under a gauge transformation which allows to describe the same $\vec{E}$ and $\vec{B}$ fields by different potentials $A_{\mu}$, reparameterization invariance makes it possible to use different grids on the world sheet to describe the same physical motion of a string.

So is reparameterization invariance some kind of gauge invariance too? What would take the role of the gauge potential $A_{\mu}$ and what would the corresponding "gauge invariant" action look like?

• Please tell me in a comment if I am again reading way too much into a trivial issue here, then I will remove the question ... – Dilaton Aug 18 '13 at 19:52
• Or possibly it's more closely analogous to coordinate-independence (diffeomorphism invariance) in GR, which is the gauge symmetry of GR...? – user4552 Aug 18 '13 at 19:57
• @BenCrowell that sounds plausible somehow, I dont know which is why I am asking so stupidly ;-) – Dilaton Aug 18 '13 at 20:01
• – Qmechanic Aug 18 '13 at 20:03
• @Dilaton I don't see why you would need to delete the question. Future users might be similarly terminologically confused, and I think these comments could be helpful. – joshphysics Aug 18 '13 at 20:13