Ghost counting in supergravity

Antibracket, antifields and gauge-theory quantization

“…By choosing σ 0α 0 β 0 0 not to have an inverse, one may obtain delta-function conditions for some gauge invariances and a gaussian-averaging of others. In some quantization schemes, π 0α 0 may become propagating, in which caseπ 0α 0 is called a Nielsen-Kallosh ghost [172,199,200].…”

“…However, these modifications [228,148,178,116] do not work for the general reducible theory. Even for Yang-Mills theories, the Faddeev-Popov procedure can fail, if one considers exotic gauge-fixing procedures for which "extraghosts" appear [172,199,200]. The field-antifield formalism is sufficiently general to encompass previously known lagrangian approaches to the quantization of gauge theories.…”

Quantum discontinuity for massive spin-3/2 with a Λ term

“…This gauge fixing of the spin 3/2 field is complicated by the fact that, in addition to the ordinary Faddeev-Popov ghosts, one must include a Nielsen-Kallosh ghost related to det ∇ / which shows up in the Gaussian gauge fixing procedure [31,32]. This is avoided in the γ · Ψ = 0 gauge [11,12].…”

A systematic study of finite BRST-BV transformations in field–antifield formalism

“…Moreover, attempts of covariant quantization of gauge theories with linearly-dependent generators of gauge transformations result in the understanding of the fact that it is impossible to use the Faddeev-Popov rules to construct a suitable quantum theory [25,26]. In turn consistent quantization of supergravity [27,28] required involving new types of ghosts (known now as Nielsen-Kallosh ghosts). Therefore, the covariant quantization of gauge theories demanded in general taking into account many new aspects such as open algebras, reducible generators and so on as well as using new approaches.…”