Electrodynamics in an LTB scenario

In this paper we investigate the Yokoyama gaugeon formalism for perturbative quantum gravity in a general curved spacetime. Within the gaugeon formalism, we extend the configuration space by introducing vector gaugeon fields describing a quantum gauge degree of freedom. Such an extended theory of perturbative gravity admits quantum gauge transformations leading to a natural shift in the gauge parameter. Further we impose the Gupta–Bleuler type subsidiary condition to remove the unphysical gaugeon modes. To replace the Gupta–Bleuler type condition by a more acceptable Kugo–Ojima type subsidiary condition we analyze the BRST symmetric gaugeon formalism. Further, the physical Hilbert space is constructed for the perturbative quantum gravity which remains invariant under both the BRST symmetry and the quantum gauge transformations.     

Finite field-dependent symmetries in perturbative quantum gravity

In this paper we discuss the absolutely anticommuting nilpotent symmetries for perturbative quantum gravity in general curved spacetime in linear and non-linear gauges. Further, we analyze the finite field-dependent BRST (FFBRST) transformation for perturbative quantum gravity in general curved spacetime. The FFBRST transformation changes the gauge-fixing and ghost parts of the perturbative quantum gravity within functional integration. However, the operation of such symmetry transformation on the generating functional of perturbative quantum gravity does not affect the theory on physical ground. The FFBRST transformation with appropriate choices of finite BRST parameter connects non-linear Curci–Ferrari and Landau gauges of perturbative quantum gravity. The validity of the results is also established at quantum level using Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) formulation.     

M-Theory in the Gaugeon Formalism

In this paper we will analyse the Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena(ABJM) theory in N = 1 superspace formalism.We then study the quantum gauge transformations for this ABJM theory in gaugeon formalism.We will also analyse the extended BRST symmetry for this ABJM theory in gaugeon formalism and show that these BRST transformations for this theory are nilpotent and this in turn leads to the unitary evolution of the S-matrix.     

Field-dependent symmetries in Friedmann–Robertson–Walker models

We consider effective actions of the cosmological Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) models and discuss their fermionic rigid BRST invariance. Further, we demonstrate the finite field-dependent BRST transformations as a limiting case of continuous field-dependent BRST transformations described in terms of continuous parameter κ$\kappa$. The Jacobian under such finite field-dependent BRST transformations is computed explicitly, which amounts an extra piece in the effective action within functional integral. We show that for a particular choice of a parameter the finite field-dependent BRST transformation maps the generating functional for FRW models from one gauge to another.     

General Formalism for the BRST Symmetry

In this paper we will discuss Faddeev-Popov method for gauge theories with a general form of gauge symmetry in an abstract way. We will then develope a general formalism for dealing with the BRST symmetry. This formalism will make it possible to analyse the BRST symmetry for any theory.     

BRST symmetry for Regge–Teitelboim-based minisuperspace models

The Einstein–Hilbert action in the context of higher derivative theories is considered for finding their BRST symmetries. Being a constraint system, the model is transformed in the minisuperspace language with the FRLW background and the gauge symmetries are explored. Exploiting the first order formalism developed by Banerjee et al. the diffeomorphism symmetry is extracted. From the general form of the gauge transformations of the field, the analogous BRST transformations are calculated. The effective Lagrangian is constructed by considering two gauge-fixing conditions. Further, the BRST (conserved) charge is computed, which plays an important role in defining the physical states from the total Hilbert space of states. The finite field-dependent BRST formulation is also studied in this context where the Jacobian for the functional measure is illustrated specifically.     

BRST and Anti-BRST Symmetries in Perturbative Quantum Gravity

In perturbative quantum gravity, the sum of the classical Lagrangian density, a gauge fixing term and a ghost term is invariant under two sets of supersymmetric transformations called the BRST and the anti-BRST transformations. In this paper we will analyse the BRST and the anti-BRST symmetries of perturbative quantum gravity in curved spacetime, in linear as well as non-linear gauges. We will show that even though the sum of ghost term and the gauge fixing term can always be expressed as a total BRST or a total anti-BRST variation, we can express it as a combination of both of them only in certain special gauges. We will also analyse the violation of nilpotency of the BRST and the anti-BRST transformations by introduction of a bare mass term, in the massive Curci-Ferrari gauge.     

BRST Quantization of Unimodular Gravity

We study the quantization of two versions of unimodular gravity, namely fully diffeomorphism-invariant unimodular gravity and unimodular gravity with fixed metric determinant, utilizing standard path integral approach. We derive the BRST symmetry of effective actions corresponding to several relevant gauge conditions. We observe that for some gauge conditions, the restricted gauge structure may complicate the formulation and effective actions, in particular, if the chosen gauge conditions involve the canonical momentum conjugate to the induced metric on the spatial hypersurface. The BRST symmetry is extended further to the finite field-dependent BRST transformation, in order to establish the mapping between different gauge conditions in each of the two versions of unimodular gravity.     

Finite BRST Mapping in Higher-Derivative Models

We continue the study of finite field-dependent BRST (FFBRST) symmetry in the quantum theory of gauge fields. An expression for the Jacobian of path integral measure is presented, depending on a finite field-dependent parameter, and the FFBRST symmetry is then applied to a number of well-established quantum gauge theories in a form which incudes higher-derivative terms. Specifically, we examine the corresponding versions of the Maxwell theory, non-Abelian vector field theory, and gravitation theory. We present a systematic mapping between different forms of gauge-fixing, including those with higher-derivative terms, for which these theories have better renormalization properties. In doing so, we also provide the independence of the S-matrix from a particular gauge-fixing with higher derivatives. Following this method, a higher-derivative quantum action can be constructed for any gauge theory in the FFBRST framework.     

A Study of Gaugeon Formalism for QED in Lorentz Violating Background

At the energy regimes close to Planck scales, the usual structure of Lorentz symmetry fails to address certain fundamental issues and eventually breaks down, thus paving the way for an alternative road map. It is thus argued that some subgroup of proper Lorentz group could stand consistent and might possibly help us to circumvent this problem.It is this subgroup that goes by the name of Very Special Relativity(VSR). Apart from violating rotational symmetry,VSR is believed to preserve the very tenets of special relativity. The gaugeon formalism due to type-I Yokoyama and type-II Izawa are found to be invariant under BRST symmetry. In this paper, we analyze the scope of this invariance in the scheme of VSR. Furthermore, we will obtain VSR modified Lagrangian density using path integral derivation. We will explore the consistency of VSR with regard to these theories.     

Deformations of duality-symmetric theories

We prove that a sum of free non-covariant duality-symmetric actions does not allow consistent, continuous and local self-interactions that deform the gauge transformations. For instance, non-abelian deformations are not allowed, even in 4 dimensions where Yang–Mills type interactions of 1-forms are allowed in the non-manifestly duality-symmetric formulation. This suggests that non-abelian duality should require to leave the standard formalism of perturbative local field theories. The analyticity of self-interactions for a single duality-symmetric gauge field in four dimensions is also analyzed.     

Frölicher-smooth geometries,quantum jet bundles and BRST symmetry

We attempt a clarification of geometric aspects of quantum field theory by using the notion of smoothness introduced by Frölicher and exploited by several authors in the study of functional bundles. A discussion of momentum and position representations in curved spacetime, in terms of generalized semi-densities, leads to a definition of quantum configuration bundle which is suitable for a treatment of that kind. A consistent approach to Lagrangian field theories, vertical infinitesimal symmetries and related currents is then developed, and applied to a formulation of BRST symmetry in a gauge theory of the Yang–Mills type.     

Gauge Symmetry and Transverse Symmetry Transformations in Gauge Theories

The transverse symmetry transformations associated with the normal symmetry transformations are proposed to build the transverse constraints on the basic vertices in gauge theories. I show that, while the BRST symmetry in non-Abelian gauge theory QCD (Quantum Chromodynamics) leads to the Slavnov-Taylor identity for the quark-gluon vertex which constrains the longitudinal part of thevertex, the transverse symmetry transformation associated with the BRST symmetry enables to derive the transverse Slavnov-Taylor identity for the quark-gluon vertex, which constrains the transverse part of the quark-gluon vertex from the gauge symmetry of QCD.     

Notoph gauge theory: Superfield formalism

We derive absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for the 4D free Abelian 2-form gauge theory by exploiting the superfield approach to BRST formalism. The antisymmetric tensor gauge field of the above theory was christened as the “notoph” (i.e. the opposite of “photon”) gauge field by Ogievetsky and Palubarinov way back in 1966–67. We briefly outline the problems involved in obtaining the absolute anticonimutativity of the (anti-) BRST transformations and their resolution within the framework of geometrical superfield approach to BRST formalism. One of the highlights of our results is the emergence of a Curci-Ferrari type of restriction in the context of 4D Abelian 2-form (notoph) gauge theory which renders the nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetries of the theory to be absolutely anticommutative in nature.     

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).     

The Yang-Mills fields — from the gauge theory to the mechanical model

The paper presents some mechanical models of gauge theories, i.e. gauge fields transposed in a space with a finite number of degree of freedom. The main focus is on how a global symmetry as the BRST one could be transferred in this context. The mechanical Yang-Mills model modified by taking the ghost type variables into account will be considered as an example of nonlinear dynamical systems.      

BRST invariance and the conical pendulum

The Hamiltonian formulation of the BRST method for quantizing constrained systems developed recently by Nemeschanskyet al is applied to the well-known problem of the conical pendulum in classical mechanics. The similarity of the system to a gauge theory wherein the two constraints serve as generators of local Abelian gauge transformations is also pointed out. The definition of the physical states of the system as a gauge theory and also as a BRST invariant theory is then discussed in some detail.     

Quantum Symmetries in the Maxwell–Chern–Simons Theory Coupled to Scalar Fields

The Maxwell-Chern-Simons gauge theory coupled to a complex scalar field is quantized in the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) path integral formalism. On the basis of the symmetries of a constrained canonical (Hamiltonian) system, we get the quantal conserved angular momentum of the system under the global symmetry transformation. It is shown that fractional spin also appears at the quantum level. The canonical Ward identities for this system are derived under local gauge transformation.     

Augmented superfield approach to exact nilpotent symmetries for matter fields in non-Abelian theory

We derive the nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations for the Dirac (matter) fields of an interacting four (3+1)-dimensional 1-form non-Abelian gauge theory by applying the theoretical arsenal of augmented superfield formalism where (i) the horizontality condition, and (ii) the equality of a gauge invariant quantity, on the six (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold, are exploited together. The above supermanifold is parameterized by four bosonic spacetime coordinates x^μ (with μ=0,1,2,3) and a couple of Grassmannian variables θ and θ̄. The on-shell nilpotent BRST symmetry transformations for all the fields of the theory are derived by considering the chiral superfields on the five (4,1)-dimensional super sub-manifold and the off-shell nilpotent symmetry transformations emerge from the consideration of the general superfields on the full six (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold. Geometrical interpretations for all the above nilpotent symmetry transformations are also discussed within the framework of augmented superfield formalism.     

Unique nilpotent symmetry transformations for matter fields in QED: augmented superfield formalism

We derive the off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for the interacting U(1) gauge theory of quantum electrodynamics (QED) in the framework of the augmented superfield approach to the BRST formalism. In addition to the horizontality condition, we invoke another gauge invariant condition on the six (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold to obtain the exact and unique nilpotent symmetry transformations for all the basic fields present in the (anti-)BRST invariant Lagrangian density of the physical four (3+1)-dimensional QED. The above supermanifold is parametrized by four even space–time variables (with μ=0,1,2,3) and two odd variables (θ and ) of the Grassmann algebra. The new gauge invariant condition on the supermanifold owes its origin to the (super) covariant derivatives and leads to the derivation of unique nilpotent symmetry transformations for the matter fields. The geometrical interpretations for all the above off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST transformations are also discussed. PACS 11.15.-q, 12.20.-m, 03.70.+k