NONLINEAR MODELS IN 2 +{epsilon} DIMENSIONS

A generalization of the nonlinear ~ model is considered. The field takes values in a compact manifold M and the coupling is determined by a Riemannian metric on H. The model is renormalizable in 2 + ~ dimensions, the renormalization group acting on the infinite dimensional space of Riemannian metrics. Topological properties of the p-function and solutions of the fixed point equation R{sub ij}-αg{sub ij}=∇{sub i}v{sub j}+∇{sub j}v{sub i}, α=±1 or 0, are discussed