Batalin-Vilkovisky integrals in finite dimensions

Abstract

The Batalin–Vilkovisky (BV) method is the most powerful method to analyze functional integrals with (infinite-dimensional) gauge symmetries presently known. It has been invented to fix gauges associated with symmetries that do not close off-shell. Homological perturbation theory is introduced and used to develop the integration theory behind BV and to describe the BV quantization of a Lagrangian system with symmetries. Localization (illustrated in terms of Duistermaat–Heckman localization) as well as anomalous symmetries are discussed in the framework of BV.