A Superspace Formulation for the Master Equation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a superspace formulation of the quantum master equation in the Field Antifield quantization, incorporating regularization and anomalies within a superfield framework, with applications to anomalous gauge theories and quantum gravity.

Contribution

It presents a novel superfield approach to the quantum master equation, integrating regularization and anomalies in a unified superspace formalism.

Findings

Superfield structure encodes quantum action and anomalies.

Pauli Villars regularization implemented in BRST superspace.

Application to W2 quantum gravity discussed.

Abstract

It is shown that the quantum master equation of the Field Antifield quantization method at one loop order can be translated into the requirement of a superfield structure for the action. The Pauli Villars regularization is implemented in this BRST superspace and the case of anomalous gauge theories is investigated. The quantum action, including Wess Zumino terms, shows up as one of the components of a superfield that includes the BRST anomalies in the other component. The example of W2 quantum gravity is also discussed.