The BPHZ renormalised BV master equation and Two-loop Anomalies in Chiral Gravities

Abstract

Anomalies and BRST invariance are governed, in the context of Lagrangian Batalin-Vilkovisky quantization, by the master equation, whose classical limit is $(S, S)=0$. Using Zimmerman's normal products and the BPHZ renormalisation method, we obtain a corresponding local quantum operator equation, which is valid to all orders in perturbation theory. The formulation implies a calculational method for anomalies to all orders that is useful also outside the BV context and that remains completely within regularised perturbation theory. It makes no difference in principle whether the anomaly appears at one loop or at higher loops. The method is illustrated by computing the one- and two-loop anomalies in chiral $W_3$ gravity.

44 pages, LaTex. 4 figures, epsf. Discussion in section 4 extended, assorted small modifications, 3 references added. As it will be published in NPB