BRST Reduction of Quantum Algebras with $^*$-Involutions

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the compatibility of the BRST reduction procedure with the Hermiticity of star products. First, we introduce the generalized notion of abstract BRST algebras with corresponding involutions. In this setting we define adjoint BRST differentials and as a consequence one gets new BRST quotients. Passing to the quantum BRST setting we show that for compact Lie groups the new quantum BRST quotient and the quantum BRST cohomology are isomorphic in zero degree implying that reduction is compatible with Hermiticity.