A No-Go Theorem for the Nonabelian Topological Mass Mechanism in Four Dimensions

TL;DR

This paper proves that a nonabelian extension of the abelian topological mass mechanism in four dimensions cannot be renormalizable, using the method of consistent deformations of the master equation.

Contribution

It establishes a no-go theorem showing the impossibility of a renormalizable nonabelian topological mass mechanism in four dimensions.

Findings

No power-counting renormalizable nonabelian generalization exists

The proof uses the technique of consistent deformations of the master equation

Comments on recent attempts with extra fields are included

Abstract

We prove that there is no power-counting renormalizable nonabelian generalization of the abelian topological mass mechanism in four dimensions. The argument is based on the technique of consistent deformations of the master equation developed by G. Barnich and one of the authors. Recent attempts involving extra fields are also commented upon.