A one-loop exact quantization of Chern-Simons theory

Abstract

We examine Chern-Simons theory as a deformation of a 3-dimensional BF theory that is partially holomorphic and partially topological. In particular, we introduce a novel gauge that leads naturally to a one-loop exact quantization of this BF theory and Chern-Simons theory. This approach illuminates several important features of Chern-Simons theory, notably the bulk-boundary correspondence of Chern-Simons theory with chiral WZW theory. In addition to rigorously constructing the theory, we also explain how it applies to a large class of closely related 3-dimensional theories and some of the consequences for factorization algebras of observables.