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.     

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).     

Dual-BRST symmetry: 6D Abelian 3-form gauge theory

Within the framework of the Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) formalism, we demonstrate the existence of the novel off-shell nilpotent (anti-)dual-BRST symmetries in the context of a six (5+1)-dimensional (6D) free Abelian 3-form gauge theory. Under these local and continuous symmetry transformations, the total gauge-fixing term of the Lagrangian density remains invariant. This observation should be contrasted with the off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations, under which, the total kinetic term of the theory remains invariant. The anticommutator of the above nilpotent (anti-)BRST and (anti-)dual-BRST transformations leads to the derivation of a bosonic symmetry in the theory. There exists a discrete symmetry transformation in the theory which provides a thread of connection between the nilpotent (anti-)BRST and (anti-)dual-BRST transformations. This theory is endowed with a ghost-scale symmetry, too. We discuss the algebra of these symmetry transformations and show that the structure of the algebra is reminiscent of the algebra of de Rham cohomological operators of differential geometry.     

Nilpotent symmetry invariance in the non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory: Superfield formalism

We demonstrate that the nilpotent Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry invariance of the Lagrangian density of a four (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory with Dirac fields can be captured within the framework of the superfield approach to BRST formalism. The above 4D theory, where there is an explicit coupling between the non-Abelian 1-form gauge field and the Dirac fields, is considered on a (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold, parametrized by the bosonic 4D spacetime variables and a pair of Grassmannian variables. We show that the Grassmannian independence of the super-Lagrangian density, expressed in terms of the (4,2)-dimensional superfields, is a clear signature of the presence of the (anti-)BRST invariance in the original 4D theory.      

Rigid rotor as a toy model for Hodge theory

We apply the superfield approach to the toy model of a rigid rotor and show the existence of the nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations, under which, the kinetic term and the action remain invariant. Furthermore, we also derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting (anti-) co-BRST symmetry transformations, under which, the gauge-fixing term and the Lagrangian remain invariant. The anticommutator of the above nilpotent symmetry transformations leads to the derivation of a bosonic symmetry transformation, under which, the ghost terms and the action remain invariant. Together, the above transformations (and their corresponding generators) respect an algebra that turns out to be a physical realization of the algebra obeyed by the de Rham cohomological operators of differential geometry. Thus, our present model is a toy model for the Hodge theory.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

On free 4D Abelian 2-form and anomalous 2D Abelian 1-form gauge theories

We demonstrate a few striking similarities and some glaring differences between (i) the free four- (3+1)-dimensional (4D) Abelian 2-form gauge theory, and (ii) the anomalous two- (1+1)-dimensional (2D) Abelian 1-form gauge theory, within the framework of Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) formalism. We demonstrate that the Lagrangian densities of the above two theories transform in a similar fashion under a set of symmetry transformations even though they are endowed with a drastically different variety of constraint structures. With the help of our understanding of the 4D Abelian 2-form gauge theory, we prove that the gauge-invariant version of the anomalous 2D Abelian 1-form gauge theory is a new field-theoretic model for the Hodge theory where all the de Rham cohomological operators of differential geometry find their physical realizations in the language of proper symmetry transformations. The corresponding conserved charges obey an algebra that is reminiscent of the algebra of the cohomological operators. We briefly comment on the consistency of the 2D anomalous 1-form gauge theory in the language of restrictions on the harmonic state of the (anti-) BRST and (anti-) co-BRST invariant version of the above 2D theory.     

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     

Augmented superfield approach to unique nilpotent symmetries for complex scalar fields in QED

The derivation of the exact and unique nilpotent Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetries for the matter fields, present in any arbitrary interacting gauge theory, has been a long-standing problem in the framework of the superfield approach to the BRST formalism. These nilpotent symmetry transformations are deduced for the four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) complex scalar fields, coupled to the U(1) gauge field, in the framework of an augmented superfield formalism. This interacting gauge theory (i.e. QED) is considered on a six (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold parametrized by four even spacetime coordinates and a couple of odd elements of the Grassmann algebra. In addition to the horizontality condition (that is responsible for the derivation of the exact nilpotent symmetries for the gauge field and the (anti-)ghost fields), a new restriction on the supermanifold, owing its origin to the (super) covariant derivatives, has been invoked for the derivation of the exact nilpotent symmetry transformations for the matter fields. The geometrical interpretations for all the above nilpotent symmetries are discussed, too. PACS 11.15.-q, 12.20.-m, 03.70.+k     

An alternative to the horizontality condition in the superfield approach to BRST symmetries

We provide an alternative to the gauge covariant horizontality condition, which is responsible for the derivation of the nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations for the gauge and (anti-) ghost fields of a (3+1)-dimensional (4D) interacting 1-form non-Abelian gauge theory in the framework of the usual superfield approach to the Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) formalism. The above covariant horizontality condition is replaced by a gauge invariant restriction on the (4,2)-dimensional supermanifold, parameterised by a set of four spacetime coordinates, x^μ(μ=0,1,2,3), and a pair of Grassmannian variables, θ and θ̄. The latter condition enables us to derive the nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations for all the fields of an interacting 1-form 4D non-Abelian gauge theory in which there is an explicit coupling between the gauge field and the Dirac fields. The key differences and the striking similarities between the above two conditions are pointed out clearly. PACS 11.15.-q; 12.20.-m; 03.70.+k     

Abelian 2-form gauge theory: superfield formalism

We derive the off-shell nilpotent Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for all the fields of a free Abelian 2-form gauge theory by exploiting the geometrical superfield approach to the BRST formalism. The above four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) theory is considered on a (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold parameterized by the four even spacetime variables x ^μ (with μ=0,1,2,3) and a pair of odd Grassmannian variables θ and (with ). One of the salient features of our present investigation is that the above nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations turn out to be absolutely anticommuting due to the presence of a Curci–Ferrari (CF) type of restriction. The latter condition emerges due to the application of our present superfield formalism. The actual CF condition, as is well known, is the hallmark of a 4D non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory. We demonstrate that our present 4D Abelian 2-form gauge theory imbibes some of the key signatures of the 4D non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory. We briefly comment on the generalization of our superfield approach to the case of Abelian 3-form gauge theory in four, (3+1), dimensions of spacetime.     

Free Abelian 2-form gauge theory: BRST approach

We discuss various symmetry properties of the Lagrangian density of a four- (3+1)-dimensional (4D) free Abelian 2-form gauge theory within the framework of Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) formalism. The present free Abelian gauge theory is endowed with a Curci–Ferrari type condition, which happens to be a key signature of the 4D non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory. In fact, it is due to the above condition that the nilpotent BRST and anti-BRST symmetries of our present theory are found to be absolutely anticommuting in nature. For the present 2-form theory, we discuss the BRST, anti-BRST, ghost and discrete symmetry properties of the Lagrangian densities and derive the corresponding conserved charges. The algebraic structure, obeyed by the above conserved charges, is deduced and the constraint analysis is performed with the help of physicality criteria, where the conserved and nilpotent (anti-) BRST charges play completely independent roles. These physicality conditions lead to the derivation of the above Curci–Ferrari type restriction, within the framework of the BRST formalism, from the constraint analysis. PACS  11.15.-q; 12.20.-m; 03.70.+k     

Cohomological aspects of gauge theories: superfield formalism

Some of the key cohomological features of the two (1 + 1)-dimensional (2D) free Abelian- and self-interacting non-Abelian gauge theories (having no interaction with matter fields) are briefly discussed first in the language of symmetry properties of the Lagrangian densities and the same issues are subsequently addressed in the framework of superfield formulation on the four (2 + 2)-dimensional supermanifold. Special emphasis is laid on the on-shell- and off-shell nilpotent (co-)BRST symmetries that emerge after the application of (dual) horizontality conditions on the supermanifold. The (anti-)chiral superfields play a very decisive role in the derivation of the on-shell nilpotent symmetries. The study of the present superfield formulation leads to the derivation of some new symmetries for the Lagrangian density and the symmetric energy-momentum tensor. The topological nature of the above theories is captured in the framework of superfield formulation and the geometrical interpretations are provided for some of the topologically interesting quantities.     

Gaugino masses in modular invariant supergravity

We calculate gaugino masses in string-derived models with hidden-sector gaugino condensation. The linear multiplet formulation for the dilaton superfield is used to implement perturbative modular invariance. The contribution arising from quantum effects in the observable sector includes the term recently found in generic supergravity models. A much larger contribution is present if matter fields with Standard Model gauge couplings also couple to the Green–Schwarz counter term. We comment on the relation of our Kähler U(1) superspace formalism to other calculations.     

BRST analysis of topologically massive gauge theory: novel observations

A dynamical non-Abelian 2-form gauge theory (with B∧F term) is endowed with the “scalar” and “vector” gauge symmetry transformations. In our present endeavor, we exploit the latter gauge symmetry transformations and perform the Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) analysis of the four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) topologically massive non-Abelian 2-form gauge theory. We demonstrate the existence of some novel features that have, hitherto, not been observed in the context of BRST approach to 4D (non-)Abelian 1-form as well as Abelian 2-form and 3-form gauge theories. We comment on the differences between the novel features that emerge in the BRST analysis of the “scalar” and “vector” gauge symmetries.     

A superspace formulation of the BV action for higher derivative theories

We first analyse the anti-BRST and double BRST structures of a certain higher derivative theory that has been known to possess BRST symmetry associated with its higher derivative structure. We discuss the invariance of this theory under shift symmetry in the Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) formalism. We show that the action for this theory can be written in a manifestly extended BRST invariant manner in superspace formalism using one Grassmann coordinate. It can also be written in a manifestly extended BRST invariant manner and on-shell manifestly extended anti-BRST invariant manner in superspace formalism using two Grassmann coordinates.     

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.