An Alternative To The Horizontality Condition In 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 Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism. The above covariant horizontality condition is replaced by a gauge invariant restriction on the (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold, parameterized by a set of four spacetime coordinates x^\mu (\mu = 0, 1, 2, 3) and a pair of Grassmannian variables \theta and \bar\theta. The latter condition enables us to derive the nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for all the fields of an interacting 4D 1-form non-Abelian gauge theory where there is an explicit coupling between the gauge field and the Dirac fields. The key differences and striking similarities between the above two conditions are pointed out clearly.Comment: LaTeX file, 20 pages, journal versio

Abelian 2-form gauge theory: superfield formalism

We derive the off-shell nilpotent Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for {\it all} the fields of a free Abelian 2-form gauge theory by exploiting the geometrical superfield approach to 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^\mu (with \mu = 0, 1, 2, 3) and a pair of odd Grassmannian variables \theta and \bar\theta (with \theta^2 = \bar\theta^2 = 0, \theta \bar\theta + \bar\theta \theta = 0). 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 supperfield approach to the case of Abelian 3-form gauge theory in four (3 + 1)-dimensions of spacetime.Comment: LaTeX file, 23 pages, journal versio

Superfield approach to symmetry invariance in QED with complex scalar fields

We show that the Grassmannian independence of the super Lagrangian density, expressed in terms of the superfields defined on a (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold, is a clear-cut proof for the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST invariance of the corresoponding four (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) Lagrangian density that describes the interaction between the U(1) gauge field and the charged complex scalar fields. The above 4D field theoretical model is considered on a (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold parametrized by the ordinary four spacetime variables x^\mu (with \mu = 0, 1, 2, 3) and a pair of Grassmannian variables \theta and \bar\theta (with \theta^2 = \bar\theta^2 = 0, \theta \bar\theta + \bar\theta \theta = 0). Geometrically, the (anti-)BRST invariance is encoded in the translation of the super Lagrangian density along the Grassmannian directions of the above supermanifold such that the outcome of this shift operation is zero.Comment: LaTeX file, 14 pages, minor changes in the title and text, version to appear in ``Pramana - Journal of Physics'

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 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 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 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.Comment: LaTeX file, 22 page

Supersymmetrization of horizontality condition: nilpotent symmetries for a free spinning relativistic particle

We derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for a supersymmetric system of a free spinning relativistic particle within the framework of superfield approach to BRST formalism. A novel feature of our present investigation is the consistent and clear supersymmetric modification of the celebrated horizontality condition for the precise determination of the proper (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for all the bosonic and fermionic dynamical variables of our theory which is considered on a (1, 2)-dimensional supermanifold parameterized by an even (bosonic) variable (\tau) and a pair of odd (fermionic) variables \theta 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 features of our present investigation is the derivation of (anti-)BRST invariant Curci-Ferrari type restriction which turns out to be responsible for the absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations and existence of the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangians for the present theory of a supersymmetric system.Comment: LaTeX file, 24 pages, version to appear in EPJ

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 superfield approach to 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 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.Comment: LaTeX file, 17 pages, journal versio

Nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for dynamical non-Abelian 2-form gauge theory: superfield formalism

We derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for the dynamical non-Abelian 2-form gauge theory within the framework of geometrical superfield formalism. We obtain the (anti-) BRST invariant coupled Lagrangian densities that respect the above nilpotent symmetry transformations. We discuss, furthermore, this (anti-) BRST invariance in the language of the superfield formalism. One of the novel features of our investigation is the observation that, in addition to the horizontality condition, we have to invoke some other physically relevant restrictions to deduce the exact (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations for all the fields of the topologically massive non-Abelian gauge theory.Comment: LaTeX file, 8 pages, typos fixed in some equations, journal-versio

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).Comment: LaTeX file, 8 pages, Talk delivered at BLTP, JINR, Dubna, Moscow Region, Russi

Superfield Approach To Nilpotent Symmetries For QED From A Single Restriction: An Alternative To The Horizontality Condition

We derive together the exact local, covariant, continuous and off-shell nilpotent Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for the U(1) gauge field (A_\mu), the (anti-)ghost fields ((\bar C)C) and the Dirac fields (\psi, \bar\psi) of the Lagrangian density of a four (3 + 1)-dimensional QED by exploiting a single restriction on the six (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold. A set of four even spacetime coordinates x^\mu (\mu = 0, 1, 2, 3) and two odd Grassmannian variables \theta and \bar\theta parametrize this six dimensional supermanifold. The new gauge invariant restriction on the above supermanifold owes its origin to the (super) covariant derivatives and their intimate relations with the (super) 2-form curvatures (\tilde F^{(2)})F^{(2)} constructed with the help of (super) 1-form gauge connections (\tilde A^{(1)})A^{(1)} and (super) exterior derivatives (\tilde d)d. The results obtained separately by exploiting (i) the horizontality condition, and (ii) one of its consistent extensions, are shown to be a simple consequence of this new single restriction on the above supermanifold. Thus, our present endeavour provides an alternative to (and, in some sense, generalization of) the horizontality condition of the usual superfield formalism applied to the derivation of BRST symmetries.Comment: LaTeX file, 15 pages, journal-versio