Abstract:
We present a pedagogical introduction to the quatization of gauge theories using the Hamiltonian method of Batalin-Fradkin-Vilkovisky (BRST-BFV). This method is independient of the gauge choice and generalizes the Faddeev-Popov method, since it allows the construction of a unitary quantum theory satarting from any gauge theory. The method is illustrated with the calculation of the quantum mechanical propagator of the two dimensional rigid rotor, which is reformulated as a gauge theory.