The Incomprehensible Simplicity of PST

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the PST approach to covariant Lagrangian theories, often considered complex, is actually straightforward and naturally derived from Hamiltonian formulations, as shown through a six-dimensional chiral two-form example.

Contribution

It clarifies the simplicity of the PST approach by deriving it directly from Hamiltonian formulations, countering the belief of its complexity.

Findings

PST approach is simpler than previously thought.

The approach naturally follows from Hamiltonian formulations.

The example used is a six-dimensional chiral two-form theory.

Abstract

There is a hearsay that the PST approach to the covariant Lagrangian description of relativistic duality invariant theories is somewhat complicated. I will show, using an example of a chiral two-form field theory in six space-time dimensions, that it is actually natural and very simple. It directly stems from the Hamiltonian formulation of chiral-form theories.