BFF quantization of chiral-boson theories

Abstract

We use the method due to Batalin, Fradkin, and Fradkina (BFF) for the quantization of chiral-boson theories. We first consider the Floreanini-Jackiw (FJ) formulation, where there is just one (continuous) second-class constraint. The use of the BFF method in this case leads to a nonlocal Wess-Zumino Lagrangian, a result that is in agreement with a treatment based on mode expansions. Next, we deal with the formulation with a linear constraint and the improvements we have to make in order to obtain the same quantum FJ theory. Here, we also show, contrary to a previous treatment in the literature, that there is just one Wess-Zumino Lagrangian. Finally, we discuss the spectra of the resulting models. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.