Spacetime locality in Sp(2) symmetric lagrangian formalism

The existence of a local solution to the Sp(2) master equation for gauge field theory is proven in the framework of perturbation theory and under standard assumptions on regularity of the action. The arbitrariness of solutions to the Sp(2) master equation is described, provided that they are proper. It is also shown that the effective action can be chosen to be Sp(2) and Lorentz invariant (under the additional assumption that the gauge transformation generators are Lorentz tensors).Comment: LaTeX, 13 pages, minor misprints correcte

BV quantization of covariant (polysymplectic) Hamiltonian field theory

Covariant (polysymplectic)Hamiltonian field theory is the Hamiltonian counterpart of classical Lagrangian field theory. They are quasi-equivalent in the case of almost-regular Lagrangians. This work addresses BV quantization of polysymplectic Hamiltonian field theory. We compare BV quantizations of associated Lagrangian and polysymplectic Hamiltonian field systems in the case of almost-regular quadratic Lagrangians.Comment: 24 page

More on the Subtraction Algorithm

We go on in the program of investigating the removal of divergences of a generical quantum gauge field theory, in the context of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. We extend to open gauge-algebrae a recently formulated algorithm, based on redefinitions $\delta\lambda$ of the parameters $\lambda$ of the classical Lagrangian and canonical transformations, by generalizing a well- known conjecture on the form of the divergent terms. We also show that it is possible to reach a complete control on the effects of the subtraction algorithm on the space ${\cal M}_{gf}$ of the gauge-fixing parameters. A principal fiber bundle ${\cal E}\rightarrow {\cal M}_{gf}$ with a connection $\omega_1$ is defined, such that the canonical transformations are gauge transformations for $\omega_1$. This provides an intuitive geometrical description of the fact the on shell physical amplitudes cannot depend on ${\cal M}_{gf}$. A geometrical description of the effect of the subtraction algorithm on the space ${\cal M}_{ph}$ of the physical parameters $\lambda$ is also proposed. At the end, the full subtraction algorithm can be described as a series of diffeomorphisms on ${\cal M}_{ph}$, orthogonal to ${\cal M}_{gf}$ (under which the action transforms as a scalar), and gauge transformations on ${\cal E}$. In this geometrical context, a suitable concept of predictivity is formulated. We give some examples of (unphysical) toy models that satisfy this requirement, though being neither power counting renormalizable, nor finite.Comment: LaTeX file, 37 pages, preprint SISSA/ISAS 90/94/E

Superfield algorithm for higher order gauge field theories

We propose an algorithm for the construction of higher order gauge field theories from a superfield formulation within the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. This is a generalization of the superfield algorithm recently considered by Batalin and Marnelius. This generalization seems to allow for non-topological gauge field theories as well as alternative representations of topological ones. A five dimensional non-abelian Chern-Simons theory and a topological Yang-Mills theory are treated as examples.Comment: 17 pages in LaTeX, improved text, published versio

First-Class Approaches to Massive 2-Forms

Massive 2-forms are analyzed from the point of view of the Hamiltonian quantization using the gauge-unfixing approach and respectively the Batalin--Fradkin method. Both methods finally output the manifestly Lorentz covariant path integral for 1- and 2-forms with Stueckelberg coupling.Comment: 14 page

Gauge and parametrization dependence in higher derivative quantum gravity

The structure of counterterms in higher derivative quantum gravity is reexamined. Nontrivial dependence of charges on the gauge and parametrization is established. Explicit calculations of two-loop contributions are carried out with the help of the generalized renormgroup method demonstrating consistency of the results obtained.Comment: 22 pages, Latex, no figure

Hamiltonian embedding of the massive noncommutative U(1) theory

We show that the massive noncommutative U(1) can be embedded in a gauge theory by using the BFFT Hamiltonian formalism. By virtue of the peculiar non-Abelian algebraic structure of the noncommutative massive U(1) theory, several specific identities involving Moyal commutators had to be used in order to make the embedding possible. This leads to an infinite number of steps in the iterative process of obtaining first-class constraints. We also shown that the involutive Hamiltonian can be constructed.Comment: 8 pages, Revtex (multicol

Topological 2-form Gravity in Four Dimensions

A kind of topological field theory is proposed as a candidate to describe the global structure of the 2-form Einstein gravity with or without a cosmological constant. Indeed in the former case, we show that a quantum state in the candidate gives an exact solution of the Wheeler-DeWitt equation. The BRST quantization based on the Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky (BFV) formalism is carried out for this topological version of the 2-form Einstein gravity.Comment: 15 page

Hamiltonian BRST-anti-BRST Theory

The hamiltonian BRST-anti-BRST theory is developed in the general case of arbitrary reducible first class systems. This is done by extending the methods of homological perturbation theory, originally based on the use of a single resolution, to the case of a biresolution. The BRST and the anti-BRST generators are shown to exist. The respective links with the ordinary BRST formulation and with the $sp(2)$-covariant formalism are also established.Comment: 34 pages, Latex fil

Gauge Equivalence in Two--Dimensional Gravity

Two-dimensional quantum gravity is identified as a second-class system which we convert into a first-class system via the Batalin-Fradkin (BF) procedure. Using the extended phase space method, we then formulate the theory in most general class of gauges. The conformal gauge action suggested by David, Distler and Kawai is derived from a first principle. We find a local, light-cone gauge action whose Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin invariance implies Polyakov's curvature equation $\partial_{-}R=\partial_{-}^{3}g_{++}=0$, revealing the origin of the $SL(2,R)$ Kac-Moody symmetry. The BF degree of freedom turns out be dynamically active as the Liouville mode in the conformal gauge, while in the light-cone gauge the conformal degree of freedom plays that r{\^o}le. The inclusion of the cosmological constant term in both gauges and the harmonic gauge-fixing are also considered.Comment: 30 pages, KANAZAWA 93-