We show that the time evolution of a space curve is associated with a geometric phase. This phase arises from the path dependence of the rotation of the natural Frenet-Serret triad with respect to a nonrotating (Fermi-Walker) frame. We derive a general expression in 1+1 dimension for the phase and the associated gauge potential, and discuss the application of this formalism to the classical, continuous, antiferromagnetic Heisenberg spin chain.

• Received 22 January 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.64.2107