Revisiting the Fradkin-Vilkovisky Theorem
High Energy Physics - Theory
2009-11-10 v1 Quantum Physics
Abstract
The status of the usual statement of the Fradkin-Vilkovisky theorem, claiming complete independence of the Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky path integral on the gauge fixing "fermion" even within a nonperturbative context, is critically reassessed. Basic, but subtle reasons why this statement cannot apply as such in a nonperturbative quantisation of gauge invariant theories are clearly identified. A criterion for admissibility within a general class of gauge fixing conditions is provided for a large ensemble of simple gauge invariant systems. This criterion confirms the conclusions of previous counter-examples to the usual statement of the Fradkin-Vilkovisky theorem.
Cite
@article{arxiv.hep-th/0406099,
title = {Revisiting the Fradkin-Vilkovisky Theorem},
author = {J. Govaerts and F. G. Scholtz},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:hep-th/0406099},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
21 pages, no figures, to appear in Jnl. Phys. A