Notoph Gauge Theory: Superfield Formalism

TL;DR

This paper derives absolutely anticommuting BRST and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for a 4D free Abelian 2-form gauge theory using superfield formalism, highlighting the role of a Curci-Ferrari type restriction.

Contribution

It introduces a superfield approach to establish absolute anticommutativity of BRST symmetries in notoph gauge theory, revealing a new Curci-Ferrari restriction.

Findings

Derived BRST and anti-BRST transformations with absolute anticommutativity.

Identified a Curci-Ferrari type restriction in 4D notoph gauge theory.

Enhanced understanding of symmetry structures in higher-form gauge theories.

Abstract

We derive absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations for the 4D free Abelian 2-form gauge theory by exploiting the superfield approach to BRST formalism. The antisymmetric tensor gauge field of the above theory was christened as the "notoph" (i.e. the opposite of "photon") gauge field by Ogievetsky and Palubarinov way back in 1966-67. We briefly outline the problems involved in obtaining the absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-) BRST transformations and their resolution within the framework of geometrical superfield approach to BRST formalism. One of the highlights of our results is the emergence of a Curci-Ferrari type of restriction in the context of 4D Abelian 2-form (notoph) gauge theory which renders the nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetries of the theory to be absolutely anticommutative in nature.