BRST Quantization, Strong CP Violation, the U(1) Problem and $\theta$ Vacua

Abstract

The non-perturbative implications of BRST quantization are examined for $\theta$ vacua and related issues. Strong CP violation is shown to be absent for QCD in the BRST formalism. Previous evidence for CP violation is reexamined, and much of it is found to be inconclusive. It is proposed that some lattice calculations be redone to clarify the situation. For the U(1) problem, difficulties are encountered for a conventional solution within the BRST framework. We also find problems with previous instanton and non-instanton approaches.