119420167
Local BRST cohomology in gauge theories
Abstract The general solution of the anomaly consistency condition (Wess–Zumino equation) has been found recently for Yang–Mills gauge theory. The general form of the counterterms arising in the renormalization of gauge-invariant operators (Kluberg–Stern and Zuber conjecture) and in gauge theories of the Yang–Mills type with non-power counting renormalizable couplings has also been worked out in any number of space–time dimensions. This Physics Report is devoted to reviewing in a self-contained manner these results and their proofs. This involves computing cohomology groups of the differential introduced by Becchi, Rouet, Stora and Tyutin, with the sources of the BRST variations of the fields (“antifields”) included in the problem. Applications of this computation to other physical questions (classical deformations of the action, conservation laws) are also considered. The general algebraic techniques developed in the Report can be applied to other gauge theories, for which relevant references are given.
13550118
New supersymmetric gauge theories: the double tensor multiplet and its interactions
Abstract The double tensor multiplet of D=4 , N=2 supersymmetry, relevant to type IIB superstring vacua, is derived and its gauge invariant and N=2 supersymmetric interactions are analysed, both self-interactions and interactions with vector multiplets and hypermultiplets. Using deformation theory, it is shown that the lowest dimensional nontrivial interaction vertices of this type have dimension 5 and all dimension 5 vertices are determined. They give rise to new N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories of the `exotic' type which are local but nonpolynomial in some of the fields and coupling constants. Explicit examples of such models are constructed.
116908765
Gauge Covariant Algebras and Local BRST Cohomology
The formulation of the local BRST cohomology on infinite jet bundles and its relation and reduction to gauge covariant algebras are reviewed. As an illustration, we compute the local BRST cohomology for geodesic motion in (pseudo-) Riemannian manifolds and discuss briefly the result (symmetries, constants of the motion, consistent deformations).
120563531
The gravitational anomalies
Abstract We determine all solutions to the consistency equations which have to be satisfied by anomalies in gravitational theories with a Poincare-invariant ground state.
118395460
Nonpolynomial gauge invariant interactions of 1-form and 2-form gauge potentials
A four dimensional gauge theory with nonpolynomial but local interactions of 1-form and 2-form gauge potentials is constructed. The model is a nontrivial deformation of a free gauge theory with nonpolynomial dependence on the deformation parameter (= gauge coupling constant).
13951212
Anomaly candidates and invariants of D = 4, N = 1 supergravity theories
Anomaly candidates and the form of the most general invariant local action are given for old and new minimal supergravity, including the cases that Yang--Mills and chiral matter multiplets are present. Non-minimal supergravity is also discussed. The results are obtained using BRS techniques by solving the descent equations which contain the consistency equation satisfied by integrands of anomalies and invariant actions. Among the anomaly candidates found there are locally supersymmetric extensions of the well known chiral anomalies as well as previously unknown anomaly candidates.
10157623
Structure of the graviton self-energy at finite temperature
We study the graviton self-energy function in a general gauge, using a hard thermal loop expansion which includes terms proportional to T^4, T^2 and log(T). We verify explicitly the gauge independence of the leading T^4 term and obtain a compact expression for the sub-leading T^2 contribution. It is shown that the logarithmic term has the same structure as the ultraviolet pole part of the T=0 self-energy function. We argue that the gauge-dependent part of the T^2 contribution is effectively canceled in the dispersion relations of the graviton plasma, and present the solutions of these equations.
118914118
General structure of the photon self-energy in noncommutative QED
We study the behavior of the photon two point function, in noncommutative QED, in a general covariant gauge and in arbitrary space-time dimensions. We show, to all orders, that the photon self-energy is transverse. Using an appropriate extension of the dimensional regularization method, we evaluate the one-loop corrections, which show that the theory is renormalizable. We also prove, to all orders, that the poles of the photon propagator are gauge independent and briefly discuss some other related aspects.
39204644
Thermal Operator and Cutting Rules at Finite Temperature and Chemical Potential
In the context of scalar field theories, both real and complex, we derive the cutting description at finite temperature (with zero/finite chemical potential) from the cutting rules at zero temperature through the action of a simple thermal operator. We give an alternative algebraic proof of the largest time equation which brings out the underlying physics of such a relation. As an application of the cutting description, we calculate the imaginary part of the one-loop retarded self-energy at zero/finite temperature and finite chemical potential and show how this description can be used to calculate the dispersion relation as well as the full physical self-energy of thermal particles.
15405943
Behavior of the thermal gluon self-energy in the Coulomb gauge
We study, to one loop order, the behavior of the gluon self-energy in the noncovariant Coulomb gauge at finite temperature. The cancellation of the peculiar energy divergences, which arise in such a gauge, is explicitly verified in the complete two point function of the Yang-Mills theory. At high temperatures, the leading T{sup 2} term is determined to be transverse and nonlocal, in agreement with the results obtained in covariant gauges. The coefficient of the sub-leading ln(T) contribution is nontransverse but local and coincides (up to a multiplicative constant) with that of the ultraviolet pole term of the zero temperature amplitude.
120616262
Metric dependence of partition function at high temperature
Abstract This paper is about thermal field theory in a background gravitational field (in space-time which is asymptotically minkowskian). We use the analytically continued imaginary-time formalism in one-loop order, and restrict ourselves to high temperatures. An all-orders, but implicit, expression is given for the partition function.