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K. Bering

Publications and source records attributed to K. Bering.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Semidensities, Second-Class Constraints and Conversion in Anti-Poisson Geometry

We consider Khudaverdian's geometric version of a Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) operator Δ_E in the case of a degenerate anti-Poisson manifold. The characteristic feature of such an operator (aside from being a Grassmann-odd, nilpotent, second-order differential operator) is that it sends semidensities to semidensities. We find a local formula for the Δ_E operator in arbitrary coordinates. As an important application of this setup, we consider the Dirac antibracket on an antisymplectic manifold with antisymplectic second-class constraints. We show that the entire Dirac construction, including the corresponding Dirac BV operator Δ_{E_D}, exactly follows from conversion of the antisymplectic second-class constraints into first-class constraints on an extended manifold.

hep-th

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, Grassmann-odd, mutually anticommuting 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.

hep-th

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.

hep-th

Non-Commutative Batalin-Vilkovisky Algebras, Homotopy Lie Algebras and the Courant Bracket

We consider two different constructions of higher brackets. First, based on a Grassmann-odd, nilpotent Δoperator, we define a non-commutative generalization of the higher Koszul brackets, which are used in a generalized Batalin-Vilkovisky algebra, and we show that they form a homotopy Lie algebra. Secondly, we investigate higher, so-called derived brackets built from symmetrized, nested Lie brackets with a fixed nilpotent Lie algebra element Q. We find the most general Jacobi-like identity that such a hierarchy satisfies. The numerical coefficients in front of each term in these generalized Jacobi identities are related to the Bernoulli numbers. We suggest that the definition of a homotopy Lie algebra should be enlarged to accommodate this important case. Finally, we consider the Courant bracket as an example of a derived bracket. We extend it to the "big bracket" of exterior forms and multi-vectors, and give closed formulas for the higher Courant brackets.

hep-th

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.

hep-th

Compatible Poisson Structures of Toda Type Discrete Hierarchy

An algebra isomorphism between algebras of matrices and difference operators is used to investigate the discrete integrable hierarchy. We find local and non-local families of R-matrix solutions to the modified Yang-Baxter equation. The three R-theoretic Poisson structures and the Suris quadratic bracket are derived. The resulting family of bi-Poisson structures include a seminal discrete bi-Poisson structure of Kupershmidt at a special value.

nlin.SI

Hamiltonian Superfield Formalism with N Supercharges

An action principle that applies uniformly to any number N of supercharges is proposed. We perform the reduction to the N=0 partition function by integrating out superpartner fields. As a new feature for theories of extended supersymmetry, the canonical Pfaffian measure factor is a result of a Gaussian integration over a superpartner. This is mediated through an explicit choice of direction n^a in the \theta-space, which the physical sector does not depend on. Also, we re-interpret the metric g^{ab} in the Susy algebra [D^a,D^b] = g^{ab}\partial_t as a symplectic structure on the fermionic \theta-space. This leads to a superfield formulation with a general covariant \theta-space sector.

hep-th

Product of Boundary Distributions

1) We identify new parameter branches for the ultra-local boundary Poisson bracket in d spatial dimension with a (d-1)-dimensional spatial boundary. There exist 2^{r(r-1)/2} r-dimensional parameter branches for each d-box, r-row Young tableau. The already known branch (hep-th/9912017) corresponds to a vertical 1-column, d-box Young tableau. 2) We consider a local distribution product among the so-called boundary distributions. The product is required to respect the associativity and the Leibnitz rule. We show that the consistency requirements on this product correspond to the Jacobi identity conditions for the boundary Poisson bracket. In other words, the restrictions on forming a boundary Poisson bracket can be related to the more fundamental distribution product construction. 3) The definition of the higher functional derivatives is made independent of the choice of integral kernel representative for a functional.

hep-th

A Note on Non-Locality and Ostrogradski's Construction

We consider the Hamiltonian treatment of non-local theories and Ostrogradski's formalism. This has recently also been discussed by Woodard (hep-th/0006207) and by Gomis, Kamimura and Llosa (hep-th/0006235). In our approach we recast the second class constraints into first class constraints and invoke the boundary Poisson bracket.

hep-th

Family of Boundary Poisson Brackets

We find a new d-parameter family of ultra-local boundary Poisson brackets that satisfy the Jacobi identity. The two already known cases (hep-th/9305133, hep-th/9806249 and hep-th/9901112) of ultra-local boundary Poisson brackets are included in this new continuous family as special cases.

hep-th

Putting an Edge to the Poisson Bracket

We consider a general formalism for treating a Hamiltonian (canonical) field theory with a spatial boundary. In this formalism essentially all functionals are differentiable from the very beginning and hence no improvement terms are needed. We introduce a new Poisson bracket which differs from the usual ``bulk'' Poisson bracket with a boundary term and show that the Jacobi identity is satisfied. The result is geometrized on an abstract world volume manifold. The method is suitable for studying systems with a spatial edge like the ones often considered in Chern-Simons theory and General Relativity. Finally, we discuss how the boundary terms may be related to the time ordering when quantizing.

hep-th

Superfield Formulation of the Phase Space Path Integral

We give a superfield formulation of the path integral on an arbitrary curved phase space, with or without first class constraints. Canonical tranformations and BRST transformations enter in a unified manner. The superpartners of the original phase space variables precisely conspire to produce the correct path integral measure, as Pfaffian ghosts. When extended to the case of second-class constraints, the correct path integral measure is again reproduced after integrating over the superpartners. These results suggest that the superfield formulation is of first-principle nature.

hep-th

Superfield Quantization

We present a superfield formulation of the quantization program for theories with first class constraints. An exact operator formulation is given, and we show how to set up a phase-space path integral entirely in terms of superfields. BRST transformations and canonical transformations enter on equal footing, and they allow us to establish a superspace analog of the BFV theorem. We also present a formal derivation of the Lagrangian superfield analogue of the field-antifield formalism, by an integration over half of the phase-space variables.

hep-th

Almost Parity Structure, Connections and Vielbeins in BV Geometry

We observe that an anti-symplectic manifold locally always admits a parity structure. The parity structure can be viewed as a complex-like structure on the manifold. This induces an odd metric and its Levi-Civita connection, and thereby a new notion of an odd Kaehler geometry. Oversimplified, just to capture the idea, the bosonic variables are ``holomorphic'', while the fermionic variables are ``anti-holomorphic''. We find that an odd Kaehler manifold in this new ``complex'' sense has a nilpotent odd Laplacian iff it is Ricci-form-flat. The local cohomology of the odd Laplacian is derived. An odd Calabi-Yau manifold has locally a canonical volume form. We suggest that an odd Calabi-Yau manifold is the natural geometric notion to appear in covariant BV-quantization. Finally, we give a vielbein formulation of anti-symplectic manifolds.

math-ph

Geometry of the BFV Theorem

We describe gauge-fixing at the level of virtual paths in the path integral as a non-symplectic BRST-type of flow on the path phase space. As a consequence a gauge-fixed, non-local symplectic structure arises. Restoring of locality is discussed. A pertinent anti-Lie-bracket and an infinite dimensional group of gauge fermions are introduced. Generalizations to Sp(2)-symmetric BLT-theories are made.

hep-th

Second Class Constraints in a Higher-Order Lagrangian Formalism

We consider the description of second-class constraints in a Lagrangian path integral associated with a higher-order $Δ$-operator. Based on two conjugate higher-order $Δ$-operators, we also propose a Lagrangian path integral with $Sp(2)$ symmetry, and describe the corresponding system in the presence of second-class constraints.

hep-th

BRST Formulation of Partition Function Constraints

We show that constraints on the generating functional have direct BRST-extensions in terms of nilpotent operators $\Delta$ that annihilate this generating functional, and which may be of arbitrarily high order. The free energy $F$ in the presence of external sources thus satisfies a ``Master Equation'' which is described in terms of a tower of higher antibrackets.

hep-th