BRST Symmetry and de Rham Cohomology (2nd ed. 2024)

This book provides an advanced introduction to extended theories of quantum field theory and algebraic topology, including Hamiltonian quantization associated with some geometrical constraints, symplectic embedding and Hamilton-Jacobi quantization and Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) symmetry, as well as de Rham cohomology.

This extended new edition offers a multifaced insight into phenomenology of particles such as baryons and photons, in terms of extended objects.

In particular, in the second edition, the baryons are described in hypersphere soliton model, and the photon properties are additionally included in stringy photon model and in Dirac type relativistic quantum mechanics for a photon. It offers a critical overview of the research in this area and unifies the existing literatures, employing a consistent notation.

Although the results presented apply in principle to all alternative quantization schemes, special emphasis is placed on the BRST quantization and its de Rham cohomology group which contribute to a deep understanding of constrained physical theories.

The book describes how solitons and other models subject to constraints include rigorous treatments of the geometrical constraints which affect the predictions themselves.

The book is intended for use by any graduate-level student with quantum field and relativity theories, and it also serves as a useful reference for those working in the field.

An extensive bibliography guides the reader toward the source literature on particular topics.