Detours and Paths: BRST Complexes and Worldline Formalism

Abstract

We construct detour complexes from the BRST quantization of worldline diffeomorphism invariant systems. This yields a method to efficiently extract physical quantum field theories from particle models with first class constraint algebras. As an example, we show how to obtain the Maxwell detour complex by gauging N=2 supersymmetric quantum mechanics in curved space. Then we concentrate on first class algebras belonging to a class of recently introduced orthosymplectic quantum mechanical models and give generating functions for detour complexes describing higher spins of arbitrary symmetry types. The first quantized approach facilitates quantum calculations and we employ it to compute the number of physical degrees of freedom associated to the second quantized, field theoretical actions.

1+35 pages, 1 figure; typos corrected and references added, published version

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• FV-type action for AdS(5) mixed-symmetry fields
• Quantum mechanical path integrals in the first quantised approach to quantum field theory
• Lagrangian formulation of massive fermionic totally antisymmetric tensor field theory in AdS_d space
• Mixed symmetry Wilson-loop interactions in the worldline formalism
• Induced Action for Conformal Higher Spins from Worldline Path Integrals