SUPERFIELD QUANTIZATION

We present a superfield formulation of the quantization program for th eories with first-class constraints. An exact operator formulation is given, and we show how to set up a phase-space path integral entirely in terms of superfields. BRST transformations and canonical transforma tions enter an equal footing, and they allow us to establish a supersp ace analog of the BFV theorem. We also present a formal derivation of the Lagrangian superfield analogue of the field-antifield formalism by an integration over half of the phase-space variables. (C) 1998 Elsev ier Science B.V.