The role of BRST charge as a generator of gauge transformations in quantization of gauge theories and Gravity

Abstract

In the Batalin -Fradkin -Vilkovisky approach to quantization of gauge theories a principal role is given to the BRST charge which can be constructed as a series in Grassmannian (ghost) variables with coefficients given by generalized structure functions of constraints algebra. Alternatively, the BRST charge can be derived making use of the Noether theorem and global BRST invariance of the effective action. In the case of Yang -Mills fields both methods lead to the same expression for the BRST charge, but it is not valid in the case of General Relativity. It is illustrated by examples of an isotropic cosmological model as well as by spherically-symmetric gravitational model which imitates the full theory of gravity much better. The consideration is based on Hamiltonian formulation of General Relativity in extended phase space. At the quantum level the structure of the BRST charge is of great importance since BRST invariant quantum states are believed to be physical states. Thus, the definition of the BRST charge at the classical level is inseparably related to our attempts to find a true way to quantize gravity.

Wave Function of the Universe, Path Integrals and Gauge Invariance

“…The both charges coincide in the case of the Yang -Mills fields, as one could expect. But they do not coincide in the case of gravity [28], and here we again encounter the peculiarities of the gravitational theory. The reason why the charge constructed by means of the Noether theorem does not coincide with the BFV charge is that the group of gauge transformations differs from the group of transformations generated by the gravitational constraints, therefore, the BRST transformations in the Lagrangian formalism are not the same as the BRST transformations for field variables in the Hamiltonian formalism.…”