Superconformal sigma models in higher than two dimensions

Abstract

Rigidly superconformal sigma models in higher than two dimensions are constructed. These models rely on the existence of conformal Killing spinors on the ( p + 1)-dimensional worldvolume ( p ⩽ 5), and homothetic conformal Killing vectors in the d-dimensional target space. In the bosonic case, substituting into the action a particular form of the target space metric admitting such Killing vectors, we obtain an action with mainfest worldvolume conformal symmetry, which describes the coupling of d − 1 scalars to a conformally flat metric on the worldvolume. We also construct gauged sigma models with worldvolume conformal supersymmetry. The models considered here are generalizations of the singleton actions on S P × S 1, constructed some time ago by Nicolai and these authors.