osp(1,2)-covariant Lagrangian quantization of irreducible massive gauge theories with generic background configurations

In the framework of the osp(1,2)-symmetric quantization of irreducible mass ive gauge theories the background field method is studied for the simplest case of a linear splitting of the gauge field into a background configurati on A(i) and the quantum fluctuations Q(i). The entire set of symmetries of that approach, including three types of background-dependent gauge transfor mations, is expressed by the corresponding set of Ward identities, Making u se of these identities, together with the equation of motion of the auxilia ry field, the background dependence of the generating functionals of the 1P I vertex functions and the Green's functions is completely determined by th e dependence of these functionals upon the gauge fields and the associated antifields. It is proven that the: introduction of a background field does not change the ultraviolet asymptotics of the theory. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sci ence B.V, All rights reserved.