A nilpotent symmetry of quantum gauge theories

TL;DR

The paper identifies a new off-shell nilpotent symmetry in BRST-invariant gauge theories, which can be used to construct the quantum effective action, extending to nonlinear gauges and complex ghost structures.

Contribution

It introduces a novel off-shell nilpotent symmetry in gauge theories that enhances the understanding of quantum gauge invariance and can be applied across various gauge choices.

Findings

Existence of an additional off-shell nilpotent symmetry in BRST-invariant actions

This symmetry can be used to construct the quantum effective action in linear gauges

Generalizations to nonlinear gauges and higher ghost terms are feasible

Abstract

For the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) invariant extended action for any gauge theory, there exists another off-shell nilpotent symmetry. For linear gauges, it can be elevated to a symmetry of the quantum theory and used in the construction of the quantum effective action. Generalizations for nonlinear gauges and actions with higher order ghost terms are also possible.