Lagrangian approach to local symmetries and self-dual model in gauge invariant formulation

Taking the St\"uckelberg Lagrangian associated with the abelian self-dual model of P.K. Townsend et al as a starting point, we embed this mixed first- and second-class system into a pure first-class system by following systematically the generalized Hamiltonian approach of Batalin, Fradkin and Tyutin. The resulting Lagrangian possesses an extended gauge invariance and provides a non-trivial example for a general Lagrangian approach to unravelling the full set of local symmetries of a Lagrangian.Comment: LaTeX, 15 page

BRST cohomology and vacuum structure of two-dimensional chromodynamics

Using a formulation of QCD_2 as a perturbed conformally invariant theory involving fermions, ghosts, as well as positive and negative level Wess-Zumino-Witten fields, we show that the BRST conditions become restrictions on the conformally invariant sector, as described by a G/G topological theory. By solving the corresponding cohomology problem we are led to a finite set of vacua. For G=SU(2) these vacua are two-fold degenerate

Gauge Identities and the Dirac Conjecture

The gauge symmetries of a general dynamical system can be systematically obtained following either a Hamiltonean or a Lagrangean approach. In the former case, these symmetries are generated, according to Dirac's conjecture, by the first class constraints. In the latter approach such local symmetries are reflected in the existence of so called gauge identities. The connection between the two becomes apparent, if one works with a first order Lagrangean formulation. Our analysis applies to purely first class systems. We show that Dirac's conjecture applies to first class constraints which are generated in a particular iterative way, regardless of the possible existence of bifurcations or multiple zeroes of these constraints. We illustrate these statements in terms of several examples.Comment: 21 page

Massive two-dimensional quantum chromodynamics

Quantum Chromodynamics in the decoupled formulation. We find that some general features of the massless theory, concerning the constraints and the right- and left-moving character of the corresponding BRST currents, survive in the massive case. The implications for the integrability properties previously valid in the massless case, and the structure of the Hilbert space are discussed

The Gauged O(3) Sigma Model: Schr\"odinger Representation and Hamilton-Jacobi Formulation

We first study a free particle on an $(n-1)$-sphere in an extended phase space, where the originally second-class Hamiltonian and constraints are now in strong involution. This allows for a Schr\"odinger representation and a Hamilton-Jacobi formulation of the model. We thereby obtain the free particle energy spectrum corresponding to that of a rigid rotator. We extend these considerations to a modified version of the field theoretical O(3) nonlinear sigma model, and obtain the corresponding energy spectrum as well as BRST Lagrangian.Comment: 18 page