Solving general gauge theories on inner product spaces

By means of a generalized quartet mechanism we show in a model independent way that a BRST quantization on an inner product space leads to physical states of the form ph〉 = exp [Q, ψ]ph〉₀ where Q is the nilpotent BRST operator, ψ a hermitian fermionic gauge-fixing operator, and ph〉_o BRST invariant states determined by a hermitian set of BRST doublets in involution. ph〉₀ does not belong to an inner product space although ph〉 does. Since the BRST quartets are split into two sets of hermitian BRST doublets there are two choices for ph〉₀ and the corresponding ψ. When applied to general, both irreducible and reducible, gauge theories of arbitrary rank within the BFV formulation we find that ph〉₀ are trivial BRST invariant states which only depend on the matter variables for one set of solutions, and for the other set ph〉₀ are solutions of a Dirac quantization. This generalizes previous Lie group solutions obtained by means of a bigrading.     

Abelian 3-form gauge theory: Superfield approach

We discuss a D-dimensional Abelian 3-form gauge theory within the framework of Bonora-Tonin’s superfield formalism and derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for this theory. To pay our homage to Victor I. Ogievetsky (1928–1996), who was one of the inventors of Abelian 2-form (antisymmetric tensor) gauge field, we go a step further and discuss the above D-dimensional Abelian 3-form gauge theory within the framework of BRST formalism and establish that the existence of the (anti-)BRST invariant Curci-Ferrari (CF) type of restrictions is the hallmark of any arbitrary p-form gauge theory (discussed within the framework of BRST formalism).     

Canonical BRST quantisation of worldsheet gravities

We reformulate the BRST quantisation of chiral Virasoro and W₃ worldsheet gravities. Our approach follows directly the classic BRST formulation of Yang-Mills theory in employing a derivative gauge condition instead of the conventional conformal gauge condition, supplemented by an introduction of momenta in order to put the ghost action back into first-order form. The consequence of these simple changes is a considerable simplification of the BRST formulation, the evaluation of anomalies and the expression of Wess-Zumino consistency conditions. In particular, the transformation rules of all fields now constitute a canonical transformation generated by the BRST operator Q, and we obtain in this reformulation a new result that the anomaly in the BRST Ward identity is obtained by application of the anomalous operator Q², calculated using operator products, to the gauge fermion.     

BRST invariant tadpole operator in the bosonic string

Using a BRST invariant three-reggeon vertex we construct an explicit expression for the BRST invariant planar tadpole operator for the bosonic string. Joined to an (N+1)-reggeon vertex it yields the correct expression for the one-loop N-tachyon amplitude.     

BRST invariant mixed string vertex for the bosonic string

We construct a BRST invariant (N + M)-string vertex including both open and closed string states. When we saturate it with N open string and M closed string physical states it reproduces their corresponding scattering amplitude. As a particular case we obtain a BRST invariant vertex for the open-closed string transition.     

Extended canonical vierbein formalism

The canonical vierbein theory, written in the language of differential forms, is extended to include the differentials themselves as independent fields. The resulting theory strongly resembles the BRST extension of the component theory provided the hamiltonian is identified with the BRST charge Q and the differentials dxⁱ with the spatial projections of the ghosts.     

NSR BRST

We extend the superconformal gauge BRST formalism directly to the D = 2 off-shell (1,0) and (1,1) superspaces that are appropriate to the NSR representation of superstrings. The BRST invariances for the spinning and heterotic first quantized string actions are derived for the first time in off-shell superspace.     

Superstrings from Hamiltonian reduction

In any string theory there is a hidden, twisted superconformal symmetry algebra, part of which is made up by the BRST current and the anti-ghost. We investigate how this algebra can be systematically constructed for strings with N − 2 supersymmetries, via quantum Hamiltonian reduction of the Lie superalgebras osp(N|2). The motivation is to understand how one could systematically construct generalized string theories from superalgebras. We also briefly discuss the BRST algebra of the topological string, which is a doubly twisted N = 4 superconformal algebra.     

Absolutely anticommuting (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for topologically massive Abelian gauge theory

We demonstrate the existence of the nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for the four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) topologically massive Abelian U(1) gauge theory that is described by the coupled Lagrangian densities (which incorporate the celebrated (B∧F) term). The absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations is ensured by the existence of a Curci–Ferrari type restriction that emerges from the superfield formalism as well as from the equations of motion which are derived from the above coupled Lagrangian densities. We show the invariance of the action from the point of view of the symmetry considerations as well as superfield formulation. We discuss, furthermore, the topological term within the framework of superfield formalism and provide the geometrical meaning of its invariance under the (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations.     

Operator expression of Witten's superstring vertex

The explicit operator expressions of both the 3-Neveu-Schwarz (NS) and Neveu-Schwarz-Ramond-Ramond vertices in Witten's superstring field theory are given by using the method recently developed by Kunitomo and the author. The BRST invariance of these vertices is proved at the critical dimension d=10. Further, we clarify the relation between the prefactor of the 3-NS vertex required by the BRST invariance and the picture changing operator.     

Gravitational anomalies and Schwinger terms

A BRST transformation incorporating general coordinate, Lorentz and Weyl transformations is defined. The variation of the effective action for fermions moving in an external gravitational field is calculated using an extended BRST analysis. InD=2 dimensions the Schwinger terms appearing in the equal time commutators of energy momentum tensors are related to the gravitational and Weyl anomalies for a massless spin 0 and a massless spin 1/2 model, respectively.     

Cosmological perturbations in SFT inspired non-local scalar field models

We clearly and consistently supersymmetrize the celebrated horizontality condition to derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi?CRouet?CStora?CTyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for the supersymmetric system of a free spinning relativistic particle within the framework of superfield approach to BRST formalism. For the precise determination of the proper (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for all the bosonic and fermionic dynamical variables of our system, we consider the present theory on a (1,2)-dimensional supermanifold parameterized by an even (bosonic) variable (??) and a pair of odd (fermionic) variables ?? and $\bar{\theta}$ (with $\theta^{2} = \bar{\theta}^{2} = 0$ , $\theta\bar{\theta}+ \bar{\theta}\theta= 0$ ) of the Grassmann algebra. One of the most important and novel features of our present investigation is the derivation of (anti-)BRST invariant Curci?CFerrari type restriction which turns out to be responsible for the absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-)BRST transformations and existence of the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangians for the present theory of a supersymmetric system. These observations are completely new results for this model.     

Nilpotent Symmetries in Jackiw-Pi Model: Augmented Superfield Approach

We derive the complete set of off-shell nilpotent \(\left (s^{2}_{(a)b} = 0\right )\) and absolutely anticommuting (s_bs_ab+s_abs_b=0) Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) (s_b) as well as anti-BRST symmetry transformations (s_ab) corresponding to the combined Yang-Mills and non-Yang-Mills symmetries of the (2+1)-dimensional Jackiw-Pi model within the framework of augmented superfield formalism. The absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-)BRST symmetries is ensured by the existence of two sets of Curci-Ferrari (CF) type of conditions which emerge naturally in this formalism. The presence of CF conditions enables us to derive the coupled but equivalent Lagrangian densities. We also capture the (anti-)BRST invariance of the coupled Lagrangian densities in the superfield formalism. The derivation of the (anti-)BRST transformations of the auxiliary field ρ is one of the key findings which can neither be generated by the nilpotent (anti-)BRST charges nor by the requirements of the nilpotency and/or absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-)BRST transformations. Finally, we provide a bird’s-eye view on the role of auxiliary field for various massive models and point out few striking similarities and some glaring differences among them.     

N-Superstring vertex and the vertex operator for the emission of the superstring

The BRST invariant, supersymmetric N-string vertex which applies to both, the Neveu-Schwarz and Ramond sector of the superstring is formulated using the vertex operator for the emission of a superstring. It is shown that the N-superstring vertex thus obtained is cyclic symmetric when GSO projected on-shell states and operators for the external strings are applied. The constraint equations of this vertex and their singularity structure are examined and we show that this vertex also has the required property of a transition operator. We also give a proof of its BRST invariance and supersymmetry.     

Ghost condensates in Yang-Mills theories in the Landau gauge

Ghost condensates of dimension 2 are analyzed in pure SU(N) Yang-Mills theories by combining the local composite operators technique with the algebraic BRST renormalization.     

N-string vertex and loop calculation in the bosonic string

We construct a BRST invariant twisted propagator and discuss different forms of the N-string vertex. We then use them for constructing loop diagrams in the bosonic string.     

Covariant quantum description of the N = 2 Brink-Schwarz superparticle

The covariant quantum effective action for the N = 2 Brink-Schwarz superparticle is constructed starting from the canonical formulation in the light-cone gauge. BRST quantization is discussed.     

Nilpotency ofQBRST and the vanishing ß-function in string theories

We study the conformal Ward identities following from the BRST invariance in string theories and show that the nilpotency of Q_BRST implies a vanishing ß-function and vice versa.