Path integrals, BRST identities, and regularization schemes in nonstandardgauges

The path integral of a gauge theory is studied in Coulomb-like gauges. The Christ-Lee terms of operator ordering are reproduced within the path integr ation framework. In the presence of fermions, a new operator term, in addit ion to that of Christ and Lee, is discovered. Such terms are found to be in strumental in restoring the invariance of the effective Lagrangian under a field-dependent gauge transformation, which underlies the BRST symmetry. A unitary regularization scheme which maintains manifest BRST symmetry and is free from energy divergences is proposed for a nonabelian gauge held. (C) 2000 Academic Press.