The model for self-dual chiral bosons as a Hodge theory

We consider (1+1) dimensional theory for a single self-dual chiral boson as a classical model for gauge theory. Using the Batalin–Fradkin–Vilkovisky (BFV) technique, the nilpotent BRST and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for this theory have been studied. In this model other forms of nilpotent symmetry transformations like co-BRST and anti-co-BRST, which leave the gauge-fixing part of the action invariant, are also explored. We show that the nilpotent charges for these symmetry transformations satisfy the algebra of the de Rham cohomological operators in differential geometry. The Hodge decomposition theorem on compact manifold is also studied in the context of conserved charges.     

The gauging of BV algebras

A BV algebra is a formal framework within which the BV quantization algorithm is implemented. In addition to the gauge symmetry, encoded in the BV master equation, the master action often exhibits further global symmetries, which may be in turn gauged. We show how to carry this out in a BV algebraic set up. Depending on the nature of the global symmetry, the gauging involves coupling to a pure ghost system with a varying amount of ghostly supersymmetry. Coupling to an N=0$N=0$ ghost system yields an ordinary gauge theory whose observables are appropriately classified by the invariant BV cohomology. Coupling to an N=1$N=1$ ghost system leads to a topological gauge field theory whose observables are classified by the equivariant BV cohomology. Coupling to higher N$N$ ghost systems yields topological gauge field theories with higher topological symmetry. In the latter case, however, problems of a completely new kind emerge, which call for a revision of the standard BV algebraic framework.     

Chiral bosons

The local lagrangian formulation for chiral bosons recently suggested by Floreanini and Jackiw is analyzed. We quantize the system and explain how the unconventional Poincaré generators of left and right chiral bosons combine to form the standard generators. The left-U(1) Kac-Moody algebra and the left-Virasoro algebra are shown to be the same as for left Weyl fermions. We compare the partition functions, on the torus, of a chiral boson and a chiral fermion. The left-moving boson is coupled to gauge fields producing the same anomalies as in the fermionic formulation. It is pointed out that the unconventional Lorentz transformations are inapplicable for the coupled system and a set of different transformations is presented. A coupling to gravity is proposed. We present the theory of chiral bosons on a group manifold, the chiral WZW model. The (1,0) supersymmetric abelian and non-abelian chiral bosons are described.     

The non-abelian self-dual string

Letters in Mathematical Physics - We argue that the relevant higher gauge group for the non-abelian generalization of the self-dual string equation is the string 2-group. We then derive the...     

The six-dimensional self-dual tensor

The equations of motion for a self-interacting self-dual tensor in six dimensions are extracted from the equations describing the M-theory five-brane. These equations are presented in a self-contained, six-dimensional Lorentz-covariant form. In particular, it is shown that the field-sttrength tensor satisfies a non-linear generalised self-duality constraint. The self-duality equation is rewritten in five-dimensional notation and shown to be identical to the corresponding equation in the non-covariant formalism.     

New vector bosons at a 1 TeVe + e − collider

We develop a simple and realistic strategy to identify the theoretical origin of aZ′ of massM _z′ ? 400 GeV if the latter were directly produced at a futuree ⁺ e ^? collider. A measurement of the muonic width and of two ratios of hadronic to muonic widths would lead to an almost complete identification within a very general class of extraU(1) models. Alternative models, though, would be better classified by measuring three longitudinal polarization asymmetries.     

Finiteness of PST self-dual models

The Pasti–Sorokin–Tonin model for describing chiral forms is considered at the quantum level. We study the ultraviolet and infrared behaviour of the model in two, four and six dimensions in the framework of algebraic renormalization. The absence of anomalies, as well as the finiteness, up to non-physical renormalizations, are shown in all dimensions analyzed.