Reducible gauge algebra of BRST-invariant constraints

We show that it is possible to formulate the most general first-class gauge algebra of the operator formalism by only using BRST-invariant constraints. In particular, we extend a previous construction for irreducible gauge algebras to the reducible case. The gauge algebra induces two nilpotent, Gras...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear physics. B 2007-06, Vol.771 (3), p.190-233
Main Authors: Batalin, I.A., Bering, K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibracket
BFV-BRST quantization
Extended BRST symmetry
Reducible gauge algebra
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Summary:We show that it is possible to formulate the most general first-class gauge algebra of the operator formalism by only using BRST-invariant constraints. In particular, we extend a previous construction for irreducible gauge algebras to the reducible case. The gauge algebra induces two nilpotent, Grassmann-odd, mutually anti-commuting BRST operators that bear structural similarities with BRST/anti-BRST theories but with shifted ghost number assignments. In both cases we show how the extended BRST algebra can be encoded into an operator master equation. A unitarizing Hamiltonian that respects the two BRST symmetries is constructed with the help of a gauge-fixing boson. Abelian reducible theories are shown explicitly in full detail, while non-Abelian theories are worked out for the lowest reducibility stages and ghost momentum ranks.
ISSN:0550-3213
1873-1562
DOI:10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2007.02.013