Superspace interpretation of mass-dependent BRST symmetries in general gauge theories

TL;DR

This paper introduces a superspace framework for massive gauge theories, interpreting mass-dependent BRST symmetries as conformal transformations within an osp(1,2) superfield formalism, expanding the understanding of gauge symmetry quantization.

Contribution

It develops a superspace formulation for osp(1,2)-covariant quantization, interpreting mass-dependent BRST symmetries as conformal transformations in a superalgebra context.

Findings

Superspace formulation for massive gauge theories established.

Mass-dependent BRST symmetries are realized as conformal transformations.

Provides a new geometric interpretation of gauge symmetries.

Abstract

A superspace formulation is proposed for the osp(1,2)-covariant Lagrangian quantization of general massive gauge theories. Thereby, osp(1,2) is considered as subalgebra of the superalgebra sl(1,2) which is interpreted as conformal algebra acting on two anticommuting coordinates. The mass-dependent (anti)BRST symmetries of the quantum action in the osp(1,2) superfield formalism are realized as translations associated by mass-dependent special conformal transformations.