Non-renormalization theorems of supersymmetric QED in the Wess–Zumino gauge

Abstract

The non-renormalization theorem of chiral vertices and the generalized non-renormalization theorem of the photon self energy are derived in SQED on the basis of algebraic renormalization. For this purpose the gauge coupling is extended to an external superfield. This extension already provides detailed insight into the divergence structure. Moreover, using the local supercoupling together with an additional external vector multiplet that couples to the axial current, the model becomes complete in the sense of multiplicative renormalization, with two important implications. First, a Slavnov–Taylor identity describing supersymmetry, gauge symmetry, and axial symmetry including the axial anomaly can be established to all orders. Second, from this Slavnov–Taylor identity we can infer a Callan–Symanzik equation expressing all aspects of the non-renormalization theorems. In particular, the gauge β-function appears explicitly in the closed form.