Talk by Per Sundell

Off-shell Formulation of Higher-Spin Gravity Part II: BRST-BV Action

Abstract:
We provide Vasiliev's four-dimensional higher-spin gravity with a Batalin-Vilkovisky master action following the Alexandrov-Kontsevich-Schwarz-Zaboronsky approach to off-shell formulations of differential algebras. In particular, we pay attention to requirements for globally-defined formulations on manifolds with boundaries and non-trivial atlases. We also comment on deformations of the bulk action by various boundary terms and the prospects of solving the full quantum master equation.

Talk based on collaboration with N. Boulanger and N. Colombo (to appear soon).

Slides