The Mathematical Structure of the Quantum BRST Constraint Method

Abstract

This thesis describes the mathematical structures of the quantum BRST constraint method. Ultimately, the quantum BRST structures are formulated in a C*-algebraic context, leading to comparison of the quantum BRST and the Dirac constraint method in a mathematically consistent framework. Comparisons of rigorous models leads to the following three consequences: The quantum BRST method and quantum Dirac method of constraints are not equivalent in general; The BRST method does not remove the ghosts in the BRST physical algebra in general. Extra selection criteria are required to select the correct physical space, which do not guarantee correspondence between the Dirac and BRST physical algebras; Conversely, the BRST physical algebra and Dirac physical algebra coincide for a C*-algebraic model of QEM. This is a rigorous example of Lagrangian BRST, implying quantum Lagrangian and quantum Hamiltonian BRST are not equivalent constraint methods.