A Deformation of Three Dimensional BF Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores a deformation of three-dimensional BF theory using the antifield BRST formalism, revealing a new class of gauge theories that encompass nonabelian BF, higher-dimensional nonlinear gauge, and topological membrane theories.

Contribution

It introduces a novel deformation framework for 3D BF theory, expanding the landscape of topological gauge theories with new classes of models.

Findings

Identified possible deformations of the action and gauge symmetries.

Discovered a new class of gauge theories including nonabelian BF and topological membrane theories.

Provided a systematic analysis using the antifield BRST formalism.

Abstract

We consider a deformation of three dimensional BF theory by means of the antifield BRST formalism. Possible deformations for the action and the gauge symmetries are analyzed. We find a new class of gauge theories which include nonabelian BF theory, higher dimensional nonlinear gauge theory and topological membrane theory.