A Superspace Formulation of the BV Action for Higher Derivative Gravity

Abstract

In this paper we analyse perturbative higher derivative gravity which is known to possess a BRST symmetry associated with its higher derivative structure. We first analyse the anti-BRST and double BRST symmetries of this theory. We then discuss the extended BRST and extended anti-BRST symmetries of this theory using the superspace formalism. We show that even though this theory is generally invariant under extended BRST transformations under extended anti-BRST transformations it is only invariant on-shell.