An Alternative To Horizontality Condition In Superfield Approach To BRST Symmetries

We provide an alternative to the gauge covariant horizontality condition invoked on a six (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold where a four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) 1-form interacting non-Abelian gauge theory is considered in the framework of superfield approach to BRST formalism. This covariant horizontality condition (which is responsible for the derivation of the nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations for the gauge and (anti-) ghost fields of the 1-form 4D interacting non-Abelian gauge theory in the usual superfield formulation) is replaced by a gauge invariant restriction on the six (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold, parameterized by a set of four spacetime coordinates x(μ = 0, 1, 2, 3) and a couple of Grassmannian variables θ and θ̄. The latter condition enables us to derive the nilpotent (anti-) BRST symmetry transformations for all the fields of an interacting 1-form 4D non-Abelian gauge theory where there is a coupling between the gauge field and the Dirac fields. The key differences and striking similarities between the above two conditions are pointed out clearly. PACS numbers: 11.15.-q; 12.20.-m; 03.70.+k