The topological sigma model (Q1825484)

The authors obtain the invariants of Witten's topological \(\sigma\)-model by gauge fixing a topological action and using BRST symmetry. The fields and the BRST formalism are interpreted geometrically. The paper is organized as follows. In Sect. 2, they set up their formalism by considering the simplest case of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. This permits them in Sect. 3 to construct a gauge fixed action from the topological Lagrangian of a \(\sigma\)-model suitable for functional integration. They determine couples in a way similar to their earlier treatment of the Yang-Mills case. In Sect. 4 they interpret their results geometrically. (See also Sect. 2) Other authors have been studying topological field theories from several viewpoints.