Lecture notes for the course "Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism and applications in topological quantum field theory" given at the University of Notre Dame in the Fall 2016 for a mathematical audience. In these lectures we give a slow introduction to the perturbative path integral for gauge theories in Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism and the associated mathematical concepts.
We express covariance of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism in classical mechanics by means of the Maurer-Cartan equation in a curved Lie superalgebra, defined using the formal variational calculus and Sullivan's Thom-Whitney construction. We use this framework to construct a Batalin-Vilkovisky canonical transformation identifying the Batalin-Vilkovisky formulation of the spinning particle with an AKSZ field theory.
We prove that the differential graded Lie algebra of functionals associated to the Chern-Simons theory of a semisimple Lie algebra is homotopy abelian. For a general field theory, we show that the variational complex in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism is a differential graded Lie algebra.
We have proved the nilpotency of the operators which describe the gauge dependence of the generating functionals of Green's functions for the gauge theories with the soft breaking of BRST symmetry in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism.
We analyze the quantum ABJM theory on ${\cal N} = 1$ superspace in different gauges. We study the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) formulation for this model. By developing field/antifield dependent BRST transformation we establish connection between the two different solutions of the quantum master equation within the BV formulation.
We explain the effective renormalization method of quantum field theory in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism and illustrate its mathematical applications by three geometric examples: (1) Topological quantum mechanics and algebraic index, (2) Elliptic curve and higher genus mirror symmetry, (3) Calabi-Yau geometry and integrable hierarchy. This note is an expansion of author's talk at ICCM 2016.
The action of Batalin-Vilkovisky Delta-operator on semidensities in an odd symplectic superspace is defined. This is used for the construction of integral invariants on surfaces embedded in an odd symplectic superspace and for more clear interpretation of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism geometry.
In this paper we recover the non-perturbative partition function of 2D~Yang-Mills theory from the perturbative path integral. To achieve this goal, we study the perturbative path integral quantization for 2D~Yang-Mills theory on surfaces with boundaries and corners in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism (or, more precisely, in its adaptation to the setting with boundaries, compatible with gluing and cutting -- the BV-BFV formalism). We prove that cutting a surface (e.g. a closed one) into simple enough pieces -- building blocks -- and choosing a convenient gauge-fixing on the pieces, and assembli…
We develop the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism for classical field theory on generic globally hyperbolic spacetimes. A crucial aspect of our treatment is the incorporation of the principle of local covariance which amounts to formulate the theory without reference to a distinguished spacetime. In particular, this allows a homological construction of the Poisson algebra of observables in classical gravity. Our methods heavily rely on the differential geometry of configuration spaces of classical fields.
In the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism, gauge conditions are expressed as Lagrangian submanifolds in the space of fields and antifields. We discuss a way of patching together gauge conditions over different parts of the space of fields, and apply this method to extend the light-cone gauge for the superparticle to a conic neighbourhood of the forward light-cone in momentum space.
We study an equivariant extension of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism for quantizing gauge theories. Namely, we introduce a general framework to encompass failures of the quantum master equation, and we apply it to the natural equivariant extension of AKSZ solutions of the classical master equation (CME). As examples of the construction, we recover the equivariant extension of supersymmetric Yang-Mills in 2d and of Donaldson-Witten theory.
On the basis of a thorough discussion of the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism for classical field theory presented in our previous publication, we construct in this paper the Batalin-Vilkovisky complex in perturbatively renormalized quantum field theory. The crucial technical ingredient is a proof that the renormalized time-ordered product is equivalent to the pointwise product of classical field theory. The renormalized Batalin-Vilkovisky algebra is then the classical algebra but written in terms of the time-ordered product, together with an operator which replaces the ill defined graded Laplacia…
We review in detail the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism for Lagrangian field theories and its mathematical foundations with an emphasis on higher algebraic structures and classical field theories. In particular, we show how a field theory gives rise to an $L_\infty$-algebra and how quasi-isomorphisms between $L_\infty$-algebras correspond to classical equivalences of field theories. A few experts may be familiar with parts of our discussion, however, the material is presented from the perspective of a very general notion of a gauge theory. We also make a number of new observations and present som…
We show that the axiom of Felder and Kazhdan on the vanishing of the cohomology groups in negative degree associated to solutions of the classical master equation in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism is violated by the spinning particle in a flat background coupled to D=1 supergravity. In this model, there are nontrivial cohomology groups in all negative degrees, regardless of the dimension of the spacetime in which the spinning particle is propagating.
In the present paper, which is a mathematical follow--up of [16] taking inspiration from [11], we present an abstract formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) in the framework of Batalin--Vilkovisky (BV) algebra theory. In the first part, we work out a general algebraic and geometrical theory of BV algebras, canonical maps, flows and flow stabilizers. In the second part, relying on this formalism, we build a BV algebraic theory of the RG. In line with the graded geometric outlook of our approach, we adjoin the RG scale with an odd parameter and analyse in depth the implications of the r…
Gauge theories that have been first quantized using the Hamiltonian BRST operator formalism are described as classical Hamiltonian BRST systems with a BRST charge of the form <Ψ,ΩΨ>_{even} and with natural ghost and parity degrees for all fields. The associated proper solution of the classical Batalin-Vilkovisky master equation is constructed from first principles. Both of these formulations can be used as starting points for second quantization. In the case of time reparametrization invariant systems, the relation to the standard <Ψ,ΩΨ>_{odd} master action is established.
We define a jet-space analog of the BV-Laplacian, avoiding delta-functions and infinite constants; instead we show that the main properties of the BV-Laplacian and its relation to the Schouten bracket originate from the underlying jet-space geometry.
We analyse the Abelian $N=1$ super-Chern-Simons model coupled to parity-preserving matter in linear and non-linear gauges with exact BRST invariance. Then we analyse the theory in field/antifield formulation to discuss the model at quantum level. Furthermore, we implement the field/antifield dependent transformation parameter to generalize the BRST symmetry of the theory. The novelty of field/antifield dependent BRST transformation is that under change of variable the Jacobian of the functional integral extends the quantum action from linear gauge to non-linear gauge. The results are establish…
The Batalin-Vilkovisky method (BV) is the most powerful method to analyze functional integrals with (infinite-dimensional) gauge symmetries presently known. It has been invented to fix gauges associated with symmetries that do not close off-shell. Homological Perturbation Theory is introduced and used to develop the integration theory behind BV and to describe the BV quantization of a Lagrangian system with symmetries. Localization (illustrated in terms of Duistermaat-Heckman localization) as well as anomalous symmetries are discussed in the framework of BV.
The Batalin-Vilkovisky field-antifield action for systems with first-class constraints is given explicitly in terms of the canonical hamiltonian, the hamiltonian constraints and the first-order hamiltonian gauge structure functions. It is shown that this action does not depend on the hamiltonian gauge structure functions of higher orders. A method for finding the lagrangian gauge structure tensors of all orders is presented. It is proven that the lagrangian gauge structure tensors do not depend on the hamiltonian gauge structure functions of second- or higher-orders.
Given a smooth family of massless free fermions parametrized by a base manifold $B$, we show that the (mathematically rigorous) Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization of the observables of this family gives rise to the determinant line bundle for the corresponding family of Dirac operators.
We study the ``twisted" Poincaré duality of smooth Poisson manifolds, and show that, if the modular vector field is diagonalizable, then there is a mixed complex associated to the Poisson complex, which, combining with the twisted Poincaré duality, gives a Batalin-Vilkovisky algebra structure on the Poisson cohomology. This generalizes the previous results obtained by Xu for unimodular Poisson manifolds. We also show that the Batalin-Vilkovisky algebra structure is preserved under Kontsevich's deformation quantization, and in the case of polynomial algebras it is also preserved by Koszul duali…
We apply the modern Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization techniques of Costello and Gwilliam to noncommutative field theories in the finite-dimensional case of fuzzy spaces. We further develop a generalization of this framework to theories that are equivariant under a triangular Hopf algebra symmetry, which in particular leads to quantizations of finite-dimensional analogs of the field theories proposed recently through the notion of `braided $L_\infty$-algebras'. The techniques are illustrated by computing perturbative correlation functions for scalar and Chern-Simons theories on the fuzzy $2$-sph…
We investigate the background field method with the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism, to generalize known results, study parametric completeness and achieve a better understanding of several properties. In particular, we study renormalization and gauge dependence to all orders. Switching between the background field approach and the usual approach by means of canonical transformations, we prove parametric completeness without making use of cohomological theorems, namely show that if the starting classical action is sufficiently general all divergences can be subtracted by means of parameter redefi…
This paper analyzes in details the Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization procedure for BF theories on n-dimensional manifolds and describes a suitable superformalism to deal with the master equation and the search of observables. In particular, generalized Wilson loops for BF theories with additional polynomial B-interactions are discussed in any dimensions. The paper also contains the explicit proofs to the Theorems stated in math.QA/0003073.
The Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) formalism is a powerful generalization of the BRST approach of gauge theories and allows to treat more general field theories. We will see how, starting from the case of a finite dimensional configuration space, we can see this formalism as a theory of integration for polyvectors over the shifted cotangent bundle of the configuration space, and arrive at a formula that admits a generalization to the infinite dimensional case. The process of gauge fixing and the observables of the theory will be presented.
We study the noncommutative Poincaré duality between the Poisson homology and cohomology of unimodular Poisson algebras, and show that Kontsevich's deformation quantization as well as Koszul duality preserve the corresponding Poincaré duality. As a corollary, the Batalin-Vilkovisky algebra structures that naturally arise in these cases are all isomorphic.
We extend the notion of a Thomas projective connection (a projective equivalence class of linear connections) for supermanifolds. As a by-product, we arrive at a generalisation of the multidimensional Schwarzian derivative for the super case which was previously unknown. This is combined with our previous construction of a Laplacian on the algebra of densities for a projectively connected manifold and allows us to study Batalin-Vilkovisky type operators and the relation between projective connections and odd Poisson structures.
These notes are intended to provide a self-contained introduction to the basic ideas of finite dimensional Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) formalism and its applications. A brief exposition of super- and graded geometries is also given. The BV-formalism is introduced through an odd Fourier transform and the algebraic aspects of integration theory are stressed. As a main application we consider the perturbation theory for certain finite dimensional integrals within BV-formalism. As an illustration we present a proof of the isomorphism between the graph complex and the Chevalley-Eilenberg complex of for…
In this paper, inspired by the Costello's seminal work, we present a general formulation of exact renormalization group (RG) within the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) quantization scheme. In the spirit of effective field theory, the BV bracket and Laplacian structure as well as the BV effective action (EA) depend on an effective energy scale. The BV EA at a certain scale satisfies the BV quantum master equation at that scale. The RG flow of the EA is implemented by BV canonical maps intertwining the BV structures at different scales. Infinitesimally, this generates the BV exact renormalization group …
We show that the classical Brink-Schwarz superparticle is a generalized AKSZ field theory. We work in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism: the main technical tool is the vanishing of Batalin--Vilkovisky cohomology below degree -1.
This is a paper about geometry of (iterated) variations. We explain why no sources of divergence are built into the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) Laplacian, whence there is no need to postulate any ad hoc conventions such as "$δ(0)=0$" and "$\logδ(0)=0$" within BV-approach to quantisation of gauge systems. Remarkably, the geometry of iterated variations does not refer at all to the construction of Dirac's $δ$-function as a limit of smooth kernels. We illustrate the reasoning by re-deriving - but not just "formally postulating" - the standard properties of BV-Laplacian and Schouten bracket and by ver…
The present work contains a complete formulation of the Batalin-Vilkovisky (BV) formalism in the framework of locally covariant field theory. In the first part of the thesis the classical theory is investigated with a particular focus on the infinite dimensional character of the underlying structures. It is shown that the use of infinite dimensional differential geometry allows for a conceptually clear and elegant formulation. The construction of the BV complex is performed in a fully covariant way and we also generalize the BV framework to a more abstract level, using functors and natural tra…
Kontsevich's formality theorem states that the differential graded Lie algebra of multidifferential operators on a manifold M is L-infinity-quasi-isomorphic to its cohomology. The construction of the L-infinity map is given in terms of integrals of differential forms on configuration spaces of points in the upper half-plane. Here we consider configuration spaces of points in the disk and work equivariantly with respect to the rotation group. This leads to considering the differential graded Lie algebra of multivector fields endowed with a divergence operator. In the case of R^d with standard v…
Using technique of wheeled props we establish a correspondence between the homotopy theory of unimodular Lie 1-bialgebras and the famous Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. Solutions of the so called quantum master equation satisfying certain boundary conditions are proven to be in 1-1 correspondence with representations of a wheeled dg prop which, on the one hand, is isomorphic to the cobar construction of the prop of unimodular Lie 1-bialgebras and, on the other hand, is quasi-isomorphic to the dg wheeled prop of unimodular Poisson structures. These results allow us to apply properadic methods for…
Batalin-Vilkovisky algebras from Ševera bicomplexes
Mathematical Institute, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University（查理大学数学物理学院数学研究所）；Dipartimento di Matematica “Guido Castelnuovo” – Sapienza Università di Roma（罗马智慧大学“圭多·卡斯特尔努沃”数学系）
This paper provides an explicit cofibrant resolution of the operad encoding Batalin-Vilkovisky algebras. Thus it defines the notion of homotopy Batalin-Vilkovisky algebras with the required homotopy properties. To define this resolution we extend the theory of Koszul duality to operads and properads that are defind by quadratic and linear relations. The operad encoding Batalin-Vilkovisky algebras is shown to be Koszul in this sense. This allows us to prove a Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt Theorem for such an operad and to give an explicit small quasi-free resolution for it. This particular resolution …
Into a geometric setting, we import the physical interpretation of index theorems via semi-classical analysis in topological quantum field theory. We develop a direct relationship between Fedosov's deformation quantization of a symplectic manifold X and the BV quantization of a one-dimensional sigma model with target X. This model is a quantum field theory of AKSZ type and is quantized rigorously using Costello's homotopic theory of effective renormalization. We show that Fedosov's Abelian connections on the Weyl bundle produce solutions to the effective quantum master equation. Moreover, BV i…
The purpose of this paper is to explain and to generalize, in a homotopical way, the result of Barannikov-Kontsevich and Manin which states that the underlying homology groups of some Batalin-Vilkovisky algebras carry a Frobenius manifold structure. To this extent, we first make the minimal model for the operad encoding BV-algebras explicit. Then we prove a homotopy transfer theorem for the associated notion of homotopy BV-algebra. The final result provides an extension of the action of the homology of the Deligne-Mumford-Knudsen moduli space of genus 0 curves on the homology of some BV-algebr…
The Batalin-Vilkovisky data for Polyakov string theory on a manifold with (non-null) boundary is shown to induce compatible Batalin--Fradkin--Vilkovisky data, thus allowing BV-quantisation on manifolds with boundary. On the other hand, the analogous formulation of Nambu--Goto string theory fails to satisfy the needed regularity requirements. As a byproduct, a concise description is given of the reduced phase spaces of both models and their relation, for any target $d$-dimensional Lorentzian manifold.
These notes give an introduction to the mathematical framework of the Batalin-Vilkovisky and Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky formalisms. Some of the presented content was given as a mini course by the first author at the 2018 QSPACE conference in Benasque.
We introduce a formal $\hbar$-differential operator $Δ$ that generates higher Koszul brackets on the algebra of (pseudo)differential forms on a $P_{\infty}$-manifold. Such an operator was first mentioned by Khudaverdian and Voronov in \texttt{arXiv:1808.10049}. (This operator is an analogue of the Koszul--Brylinski boundary operator $\partial_P$ which defines Poisson homology for an ordinary Poisson structure.) Here we introduce $Δ=Δ_P$ by a different method and establish its properties. We show that this BV type operator generating higher Koszul brackets can be included in a one-parameter fam…
The goal of these lectures is to exhibit the framing anomaly in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formulation of perturbative Chern-Simons theory. Concretely, we show that the partition function fails to satisfy the Quantum Master Equation, and show that this can be remedied at the cost of introducing a framing. Along the way, we discuss principal bundles and connections, the Chern-Simons action functional, and perturbative quantization of gauge theories in the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism.
We show that the local observables of the curved beta gamma system encode the sheaf of chiral differential operators using the machinery of the book "Factorization algebras in quantum field theory", by Kevin Costello and the second author, which combines renormalization, the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism, and factorization algebras. Our approach is in the spirit of deformation quantization via Gelfand-Kazhdan formal geometry. We begin by constructing a quantization of the beta gamma system with an n-dimensional formal disk as the target. There is an obstruction to quantizing equivariantly with …
Twilled L(ie-)R(inehart)-algebras generalize, in the Lie-Rinehart context, complex structures on smooth manifolds. An almost complex manifold determines an "almost twilled pre-LR algebra", which is a true twilled LR-algebra iff the almost complex structure is integrable. We characterize twilled LR structures in terms of certain associated differential (bi)graded Lie and G(erstenhaber)-algebras; in particular the G-algebra arising from an almost complex structure is a d(ifferential) G-algebra iff the almost complex structure is integrable. Such G-algebras, endowed with a generator turning them …
We review and extend the Alexandrov-Kontsevich-Schwarz-Zaboronsky construction of solutions of the Batalin-Vilkovisky classical master equation. In particular, we study the case of sigma models on manifolds with boundary. We show that a special case of this construction yields the Batalin-Vilkovisky action functional of the Poisson sigma model on a disk. As we have shown in a previous paper, the perturbative quantization of this model is related to Kontsevich's deformation quantization of Poisson manifolds and to his formality theorem. We also discuss the action of diffeomorphisms of the targe…
We consider semidensities on a supermanifold E with an odd symplectic structure. We define a new $Δ$-operator action on semidensities as the proper framework for Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. We establish relations between semidensities on E and differential forms on Lagrangian surfaces. We apply these results to Batalin-Vilkovisky geometry. Another application is to (1.1)-codimensional surfaces in E. We construct a kind of pull-back of semidensities to such surfaces. This operation and the $Δ$-operator are used for obtaining integral invariants for (1.1)-codimensional surfaces.
We perform the maximal twist of eleven-dimensional supergravity. This twist is partially topological and exists on manifolds of $G_2 \times SU(2)$ holonomy. Our derivation starts with an explicit description of the Batalin-Vilkovisky complex associated to the three-form multiplet in the pure spinor superfield formalism. We then determine the $L_\infty$ module structure of the supersymmetry algebra on the component fields. We twist the theory by modifying the differential of the Batalin-Vilkovisky complex to incorporate the action of a scalar supercharge. We find that the resulting free twisted…
