Chiral Scalar Superfield Research Articles

N=1 supergravity theories coupled to matter and duality transformations

The most general action for chiral and complex linear superfields coupled to theN=1 old minimal supergravity is given. Scalar potentials for pure complex linear and mixed cases are found. A condition for the breakdown of the duality transformation, which transforms a theory with complex linear superfields to one with chiral scalar superfields, is obtained. When this condition is satisfied, the potentials and couplings cannot be transformed, in general, into a Kahler form; examples are given. Some aspects of vanishing cosmological constant are considered in this context.

Chiral anomalies in supersymmetric theories

The supersymmetric non-abelian chiral anomaly is computed in a theory of chiral scalar superfields coupled to external gauge superfields, both in a vector-current conserving scheme and in a left-right symmetric scheme. The corresponding supersymmetric Wess-Zumino term is discussed; in particular we give an explicit expression for the anomalous bosonic term.

Symmetry breaking via compensators in an N=1 supergravity theory.

A supergravity theory with multiple compensators is considered. It is shown that supersymmetry is broken by a solution to the equation of motion of a compensator. Models with a chiral scalar superfield and a gauge vector superfield coupled to such a compensator are considered. In the case of the former various aspects of supersymmetry breaking are discussed; in particular, the super-Higgs-Kibble effect is shown to be operative. In the latter case a gaugino mass is generated without the use of nonminimal coupling. Possible applications of this mechanism of supersymmetry breaking in model building and extended supergravity theories are indicated. In particular it is possible to have the mass of the gravitino greater than 10/sup 4/ GeV, thus satisfying the cosmological constraints, even though the masses of scalar particles are of O(10/sup 2/ GeV).

Energy-momentum tensors, supercurrents, (super)traces, and quantum equivalence

We show that although different field representations (e.g. representations of spin-zero particles by scalar and antisymmetric tensor fields) give rise to different trace anomalies in gravitational backgrounds, their quantum energy-momentum tensors and in particular their traces ( total trace, i.e., anomalous + nonanomalous parts) are the same. For supersymmetric systems (e.g. representations of the scalar multiplet by chiral scalar or chiral spinor superfields) the quantum supercurrents and supertraces again are the same (and in particular the one-loop ∂ m j m (5), γ· S, T m m form a multiplet).

Use of compensators to break supersymmetry in an N = 1 supergravity theory

We consider an N = 1 supergravity theory with multiple compensators and show that supersymmetry is broken by a solution to the equation of motion of a compensator. When a chiral scalar superfield is coupled to supergravity, we discuss various aspects of supersymmetry breaking and show that the super-Higgs-Kibble effect is operative. Possible applications of this mechanism of supersymmetry breaking in model building and extended supergravity theories are indicated.

Superfield tadpole method for susy effective potential

Superfield formulation of Weinberg's tadpole method to compute the effective potential in supersymmetric theories is illustrated by considering the general renormalizable action involving only chiral scalar superfields. Unconstrained superfield potentials are introduced to simplify the “effective” superfield propagator which is derived in a compact form.

Effective potential for chiral scalar superfields

This paper contains two results. The first is that for a theory of N chiral scalar superfields, for which the supersymmetry is not spontaneously broken, the effective potential vanishes at the same points as the tree potential. This is also verified in the one- and two- loop approximation. It is concluded that the absolute minima of the tree potential are also absolute minima of the effective potential, and hence that any degeneracy in the tree potential will persist to all orders in the radiative corrections. The second result is that, in the case of one chiral superfield, the one-loop contribution to the effective potential not only vanishes at the zeros of the tree potential, but is non-negative at all other points. This results is taken as an indication that the supersymmetry itself is not spontaneously broken by the radiative corrections.

Boson-fermion symmetries and superfields

This review provides an introduction to the theory of supersymmetry. The algebra of supersymmetries is developed, and its representations are given together with the ensuing surprising property of vanishing of the vacuum average of the energy-momentum tensor in supersymmetrical theories. Particular attention is paid to superfields—objects that combine fermion and boson fields with the aid of auxiliary anticommuting spinor coordinates. The Lagrangian formalism and the equations of motion for superfields are discussed. A detailed analysis is presented of the simplest supersymmetrical model of a chiral scalar superfield and its exceptional renormalizability. Gauge supersymmetrical theories are analyzed. The possibilities are discussed of a nontrivial unification of internal symmetries and supersymmetries. The article concludes with first attempts of spontaneous supersymmetry breaking, which is needed for the construction of future realistic supersymmetrical models.

Spontaneous symmetry breaking for chirals scalar superfields

Abstract The spontaneous breakdown of supersymmetry and internal symmetry is studied for the interaction of N chiral scalar superfields. A lemma is established which shows that the spontaneous breakdown of supersymmetry is a very rare occurrence, but that it can happen (in at least the tree approximation) is shown by the construction of a model. The model contains three superfields (N = 3) and preserves parity. In contrast to supersymmetry itself, a spontaneous breakdown of internal symmetry triggered by the supersymmetry is found to be a frequent occurrence, and a general formalism for it is set up. A mass-formula is derived and examples given.