New Forms of BRST Symmetry on a Prototypical First-Class System

Abstract: We scrutinize the many known forms of BRST symmetries, as well as some new ones, realized within a prototypical first-class system. Similarities and differences among ordinary BRST, anti-BRST, dual-BRST and anti-dual-BRST symmetries are highlighted and discussed. We identify a precise $\mathbb{Z}_4\times\mathbb{Z}_2$ discrete group of symmetries of the ghost sector, responsible for connecting the various forms of BRST transformations. Considering a Hamiltonian approach, those symmetries can be interrelated by canonical transformations among ghost variables. However, the distinguished characteristic role of the dual BRST symmetries can be fully appreciated within a gauge-fixed Lagrangian viewpoint. New forms of BRST symmetries are given, a set generalizing particular ones previously reported in the literature as well as a brand new unprecedented set. The featured gauge invariant prototypical first-class system encompasses an extensive class of physical models and sheds light on previous controversies in the current quantum field theory literature.