Odd Invariant Semidensity and Divergence-like Operators on an Odd Symplectic Superspace

The divergence-like operator on an odd symplectic superspace which acts invariantly on a specially chosen odd vector field is considered. This operator is used to construct an odd invariant semidensity in a geometrically clear way. The formula for this semidensity is similar to the formula of the mean curvature of hypersurfaces in Euclidean space.Comment: 18 pages, TeX fil

A Note on Semidensities in Antisymplectic Geometry

We revisit Khudaverdian's geometric construction of an odd nilpotent operator \Delta_E that sends semidensities to semidensities on an antisymplectic manifold. We find a local formula for the \Delta_E operator in arbitrary coordinates and we discuss its connection to Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX. v2: Added eqs. (4.1), (6.3), (6.4) & (6.5). v3: Sec. 6 expanded and ref. added. v4: Included a proof of the main statement in the appendices. v5: Flipped the sign convention for \nu^{(2)}. v6: Stylistic change

On Generalized Gauge-Fixing in the Field-Antifield Formalism

We consider the problem of covariant gauge-fixing in the most general setting of the field-antifield formalism, where the action W and the gauge-fixing part X enter symmetrically and both satisfy the Quantum Master Equation. Analogous to the gauge-generating algebra of the action W, we analyze the possibility of having a reducible gauge-fixing algebra of X. We treat a reducible gauge-fixing algebra of the so-called first-stage in full detail and generalize to arbitrary stages. The associated "square root" measure contributions are worked out from first principles, with or without the presence of antisymplectic second-class constraints. Finally, we consider an W-X alternating multi-level generalization.Comment: 49 pages, LaTeX. v2: Minor changes + 1 more reference. v3,v4,v5: Corrected typos. v5: Version published in Nuclear Physics B. v6,v7: Correction to the published version added next to the Acknowledgemen

Laplacians in Odd Symplectic Geometry

We consider odd Laplace operators arising in odd symplectic geometry. Approach based on semidensities (densities of weight 1/2) is developed. The role of semidensities in the Batalin--Vilkovisky formalism is explained. In particular, we study the relations between semidensities on an odd symplectic supermanifold and differential forms on a purely even Lagrangian submanifold. We establish a criterion of ``normality'' of a volume form on an odd symplectic supermanifold in terms of the canonical odd Laplacian acting on semidensities.Comment: LaTeX2e, 19 page

Batalin--Vilkovisky Formalism and Odd Symplectic Geometry

It is a review of some results in Odd symplectic geometry related to the Batalin-Vilkovisky FormalismComment: plain TeX, 39 pages, no figure

Geometry of differential operators, odd Laplacians, and homotopy algebras

We give a complete description of differential operators generating a given bracket. In particular we consider the case of Jacobi-type identities for odd operators and brackets. This is related with homotopy algebras using the derived bracket construction. (Based on a talk at XXII Workshop on Geometric Methods in Physics at Bialowieza)Comment: 13 pages; LaTe

Linear Odd Poisson Bracket on Grassmann Variables

A linear odd Poisson bracket (antibracket) realized solely in terms of Grassmann variables is suggested. It is revealed that the bracket, which corresponds to a semi-simple Lie group, has at once three Grassmann-odd nilpotent $\Delta$-like differential operators of the first, the second and the third orders with respect to Grassmann derivatives, in contrast with the canonical odd Poisson bracket having the only Grassmann-odd nilpotent differential $\Delta$-operator of the second order. It is shown that these $\Delta$-like operators together with a Grassmann-odd nilpotent Casimir function of this bracket form a finite-dimensional Lie superalgebra.Comment: 7 pages, LATEX. Relation (34) is added and the rearrangement necessary for publication in Physics Letters B is mad