New minimal higher derivative supergravity coupled to matter

Abstract

We consider quadratic invariants in the new minimal formulation of N = 1, 4D supergravity, and obtain a simpler form of the Gauss-Bonnet combination. When added to the Einstein lagrangian, these new multiplets propagate different states than those in the old minimal formulation. In particular, the R + αR 2 theory is shown to be equivalent to standard supergravity coupled to a massive vector multiplet. Our result shows the non-uniqueness of minimal supersymmetrizations of higher derivative theories.