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BRST-invariant boundary conditions and strong ellipticity

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Ian MossORCiD

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Abstract

The quantization of gauge theories usually proceeds through the introduction of ghost fields and Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) symmetry. In the case of quantum gravity in the presence of boundaries, the BRST-invariant boundary value problem for the gauge field operators is nonelliptic, and consequently the definition of the effective action using heat-kernel techniques becomes problematic. This paper examines general classes of BRST-invariant boundary conditions and presents new boundary conditions for quantum gravity that fix the extrinsic curvature on the boundary and lead to a well-defined effective action. This prompts a discussion of the wider issue of nonellipticity in BRST-invariant boundary value problems and when the use of gauge-fixing terms on the boundary can resolve the issue.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Moss IG

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Physical Review D

Year: 2013

Volume: 88

Issue: 10

Print publication date: 26/11/2013

Date deposited: 30/07/2014

ISSN (print): 1550-7998

ISSN (electronic): 1550-2368

Publisher: American Physical Society

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.88.104039

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.88.104039

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