The osp(1,2)-covariant Lagrangian quantization of reducible massive gauge theories

The osp(1,2)-covariant Lagrangian quantization of irreducible gauge theorie s is generalized to L-stage reducible theories. The dependence of the gener ating functional of Green's functions on the choice of gauge in the massive case is discussed and Ward identities related to osp(1,2) symmetry are giv en. Massive first-stage theories with closed gauge algebra are studied in d etail. The generalization of the Chapline-Manton model and topological Yang -Mills theory to the case of massive fields are considered as examples. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0022- 2488(99)01612-6].