BRST Formalism and Zero Locus Reduction

In the BRST quantization of gauge theories, the zero locus $Z_Q$ of the BRST differential $Q$ carries an (anti)bracket whose parity is opposite to that of the fundamental bracket. We show that the on-shell BFV/BV gauge symmetries are in a 1:1 correspondence with Hamiltonian vector fields on $Z_Q$, and observables of the BRST theory are in a 1:1 correspondence with characteristic functions of the bracket on $Z_Q$. By reduction to the zero locus, we obtain relations between bracket operations and differentials arising in different complexes (the Gerstenhaber, Schouten, Berezin-Kirillov, and Sklyanin brackets); the equation ensuring the existence of a nilpotent vector field on the reduced manifold can be the classical Yang-Baxter equation. We also generalize our constructions to the bi-QP-manifolds which from the BRST theory viewpoint corresponds to the BRST-anti-BRST-symmetric quantization.Comment: 21 pages, latex2e, several modifications have been made, main content remains unchange

Isomorphisms between the Batalin-Vilkovisky antibracket and the Poisson bracket

One may introduce at least three different Lie algebras in any Lagrangian field theory : (i) the Lie algebra of local BRST cohomology classes equipped with the odd Batalin-Vilkovisky antibracket, which has attracted considerable interest recently~; (ii) the Lie algebra of local conserved currents equipped with the Dickey bracket~; and (iii) the Lie algebra of conserved, integrated charges equipped with the Poisson bracket. We show in this paper that the subalgebra of (i) in ghost number $-1$ and the other two algebras are isomorphic for a field theory without gauge invariance. We also prove that, in the presence of a gauge freedom, (ii) is still isomorphic to the subalgebra of (i) in ghost number $-1$, while (iii) is isomorphic to the quotient of (ii) by the ideal of currents without charge. In ghost number different from $-1$, a more detailed analysis of the local BRST cohomology classes in the Hamiltonian formalism allows one to prove an isomorphism theorem between the antibracket and the extended Poisson bracket of Batalin, Fradkin and Vilkovisky.Comment: 36 pages Latex fil

Generalized Classical BRST Cohomology and Reduction of Poisson Manifolds

In this paper, we formulate a generalization of the classical BRST construction which applies to the case of the reduction of a poisson manifold by a submanifold. In the case of symplectic reduction, our procedure generalizes the usual classical BRST construction which only applies to symplectic reduction of a symplectic manifold by a coisotropic submanifold, \ie\ the case of reducible ``first class'' constraints. In particular, our procedure yields a method to deal with ``second-class'' constraints. We construct the BRST complex and compute its cohomology. BRST cohomology vanishes for negative dimension and is isomorphic as a poisson algebra to the algebra of smooth functions on the reduced poisson manifold in zero dimension. We then show that in the general case of reduction of poisson manifolds, BRST cohomology cannot be identified with the cohomology of vertical differential forms.Comment: 3

BRST structure of non-linear superalgebras

In this paper we analyse the structure of the BRST charge of nonlinear superalgebras. We consider quadratic non-linear superalgebras where a commutator (in terms of (super) Poisson brackets) of the generators is a quadratic polynomial of the generators. We find the explicit form of the BRST charge up to cubic order in Faddeev-Popov ghost fields for arbitrary quadratic nonlinear superalgebras. We point out the existence of constraints on structure constants of the superalgebra when the nilpotent BRST charge is quadratic in Faddeev-Popov ghost fields. The general results are illustrated by simple examples of superalgebras.Comment: 15 pages, Latex, references added, misprints corrected, comments adde

A BRST Analysis of WW-symmetries

We perform a classical BRST analysis of the symmetries corresponding to a generic $w_N$-algebra. An essential feature of our method is that we write the $w_N$-algebra in a special basis such that the algebra manifestly has a ``nested'' set of subalgebras $v_N^N \subset v_N^{N-1} \subset \dots \subset v_N^2 \equiv w_N$ where the subalgebra $v_N^i\ (i=2, \dots ,N)$ consists of generators of spin $s=\{i,i+1,\dots ,N\}$, respectively. In the new basis the BRST charge can be written as a ``nested'' sum of $N-1$ nilpotent BRST charges. In view of potential applications to (critical and/or non-critical) $W$-string theories we discuss the quantum extension of our results. In particular, we present the quantum BRST-operator for the $W_4$-algebra in the new basis. For both critical and non-critical $W$-strings we apply our results to discuss the relation with minimal models.Comment: 32 pages, UG-4/9

BRST Structures and Symplectic Geometry on a Class of Supermanifolds

By investigating the symplectic geometry and geometric quantization on a class of supermanifolds, we exhibit BRST structures for a certain kind of algebras. We discuss the undeformed and q-deformed cases in the classical as well as in the quantum cases.Comment: 14 pages, Late

Variational tricomplex of a local gauge system, Lagrange structure and weak Poisson bracket

We introduce the concept of a variational tricomplex, which is applicable both to variational and non-variational gauge systems. Assigning this tricomplex with an appropriate symplectic structure and a Cauchy foliation, we establish a general correspondence between the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian pictures of one and the same (not necessarily variational) dynamics. In practical terms, this correspondence allows one to construct the generating functional of weak Poisson structure starting from that of Lagrange structure. As a byproduct, a covariant procedure is proposed for deriving the classical BRST charge of the BFV formalism by a given BV master action. The general approach is illustrated by the examples of Maxwell's electrodynamics and chiral bosons in two dimensions.Comment: 34 pages, v2 minor correction