Taking Up Superspace

2021 ◽  
pp. 103-128
Author(s):  
Tushar Menon
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Special Relativity ◽  
Minkowski Spacetime ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Spacetime Symmetries ◽  
Spacetime Structure ◽  
Standard Set ◽  
Supersymmetric Theories

Supersymmetry (SUSY) is a proposed symmetry between bosons and fermions. The structure of the space of SUSY generators is such that the distinction between internal and spacetime symmetries is blurred. As a result, there are two viable candidates for the spacetime setting for a flat supersymmetric field theory—Minkowski spacetime and superspace, an extension of Minkowski spacetime to include (at least) four new dimensions, coordinatized by ‘supernumbers’, i.e. numbers with nontrivial commutation properties. This chapter argues for two theses: first, that one standard set of arguments, related to universality of symmetry behaviour, that motivate a particular choice of spacetime structure in familiar spacetime theories motivates the choice of superspace as the appropriate spacetime for SUSY field theories; and second, that the metaphysical utility of the concept of spacetime requires more than just the satisfaction of this universality condition; in supersymmetric theories, the spacetime concept is not as useful as in special relativity.

Beyond the Standard Model

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Baulieu ◽  
John Iliopoulos ◽  
Roland Sénéor
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
General Relativity ◽  
Supergravity Models ◽  
Standard Model ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Beyond The Standard Model ◽  
Super Symmetry ◽  
The Standard Model ◽  
Topological Field ◽  
Supersymmetric Theories

The motivation for supersymmetry. The algebra, the superspace, and the representations. Field theory models and the non-renormalisation theorems. Spontaneous and explicit breaking of super-symmetry. The generalisation of the Montonen–Olive duality conjecture in supersymmetric theories. The remarkable properties of extended supersymmetric theories. A brief discussion of twisted supersymmetry in connection with topological field theories. Attempts to build a supersymmetric extention of the standard model and its experimental consequences. The property of gauge supersymmetry to include general relativity and the supergravity models.

scholarly journals How to be a realist about Minkowski spacetime without believing in magical explanations

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Adan Sus
Keyword(s):  
Special Relativity ◽  
Physical Theory ◽  
Minkowski Spacetime ◽  
General Assumption ◽  
Recent Discussion ◽  
Spacetime Structure ◽  
The Status ◽  
Ontological Dimension

The question about the relation between spacetime structure and the symmetries of laws has received renewed attention in a recent discussion about the status of Minkowski spacetime in Special Relativity. In that context we find two extreme positions (either spacetime explains symmetries of laws or vice-versa) and a general assumption about the debate being mainly about explanation. The aim of this paper is twofold: first, to argue that the ontological dimension of the debate cannot be ignored; second, to claim that taking ontology into account involves considering a third perspective on the relation between spacetime and symmetries of laws; one in which both terms would be somehow derived from common assumptions on the formulation of a given physical theory.

Inertia and inertial resistance in the Special Theory of Relativity

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Peter J. Riggs
Keyword(s):  
Special Relativity ◽  
Minkowski Spacetime ◽  
Special Theory ◽  
Classical Dynamics ◽  
Relativistic Motion ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Special Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Particle Inertia ◽  
Spacetime Structure

A broader concept of “resistance to acceleration” than used in classical dynamics, called “inertial resistance”, is quantified for both inertial and non-inertial relativistic motion. Special Relativity shows that inertial resistance is more than particle inertia and originates from Minkowski spacetime structure. Current mainstream explanations of inertia do not take inertial resistance into account and are, therefore, incomplete.

scholarly journals Non-Lorentzian avatars of (1,0) theories

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Lambert ◽  
T. Orchard
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Gauge Field ◽  
Conformal Symmetry ◽  
Minkowski Spacetime ◽  
Gauge Field Theories ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Conformal Field Theories ◽  
Superconformal Field Theories ◽  
Conformal Field

Abstract We construct five-dimensional non-Lorentzian Lagrangian gauge field theories with an SU(1, 3) conformal symmetry and 12 (conformal) supersymmetries. Such theories are interesting in their own right but can arise from six-dimensional (1, 0) superconformal field theories on a conformally compactified Minkowski spacetime. In the limit that the conformal compactification is removed the Lagrangians we find give field theory formulations of DLCQ constructions of six-dimensional (1, 0) conformal field theories.

scholarly journals Gauged double field theory as an L∞ algebra

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Lescano ◽  
Martín Mayo
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Algebraic Structure ◽  
Classical Field ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Lie Derivative ◽  
Linear Perturbation ◽  
Double Field Theory ◽  
Generalized Frame ◽  
Symmetry Transformations ◽  
Classical Field Theories

Abstract L∞ algebras describe the underlying algebraic structure of many consistent classical field theories. In this work we analyze the algebraic structure of Gauged Double Field Theory in the generalized flux formalism. The symmetry transformations consist of a generalized deformed Lie derivative and double Lorentz transformations. We obtain all the non-trivial products in a closed form considering a generalized Kerr-Schild ansatz for the generalized frame and we include a linear perturbation for the generalized dilaton. The off-shell structure can be cast in an L3 algebra and when one considers dynamics the former is exactly promoted to an L4 algebra. The present computations show the fully algebraic structure of the fundamental charged heterotic string and the $$ {L}_3^{\mathrm{gauge}} $$ L 3 gauge structure of (Bosonic) Enhanced Double Field Theory.

scholarly journals A master exceptional field theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Bossard ◽  
Axel Kleinschmidt ◽  
Ergin Sezgin
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Gauge Invariance ◽  
Sigma Model ◽  
Linear Equations ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Gauge Invariant ◽  
Non Linear ◽  
Non Linear Equations

Abstract We construct a pseudo-Lagrangian that is invariant under rigid E11 and transforms as a density under E11 generalised diffeomorphisms. The gauge-invariance requires the use of a section condition studied in previous work on E11 exceptional field theory and the inclusion of constrained fields that transform in an indecomposable E11-representation together with the E11 coset fields. We show that, in combination with gauge-invariant and E11-invariant duality equations, this pseudo-Lagrangian reduces to the bosonic sector of non-linear eleven-dimensional supergravity for one choice of solution to the section condi- tion. For another choice, we reobtain the E8 exceptional field theory and conjecture that our pseudo-Lagrangian and duality equations produce all exceptional field theories with maximal supersymmetry in any dimension. We also describe how the theory entails non-linear equations for higher dual fields, including the dual graviton in eleven dimensions. Furthermore, we speculate on the relation to the E10 sigma model.

scholarly journals Boundary conditions in topological AdS4/CFT3

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pietro Benetti Genolini ◽  
Matan Grinberg ◽  
Paul Richmond
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Free Energy ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Smooth Solution ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Legendre Transformation ◽  
Generating Functional ◽  
Holographic Duals

Abstract We revisit the construction in four-dimensional gauged Spin(4) supergravity of the holographic duals to topologically twisted three-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 4 field theories. Our focus in this paper is to highlight some subtleties related to preserving supersymmetry in AdS/CFT, namely the inclusion of finite counterterms and the necessity of a Legendre transformation to find the dual to the field theory generating functional. Studying the geometry of these supergravity solutions, we conclude that the gravitational free energy is indeed independent from the metric of the boundary, and it vanishes for any smooth solution.

scholarly journals Smooth functorial field theories from B-fields and D-branes

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-153
Author(s):  
Severin Bunk ◽  
Konrad Waldorf
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Sigma Models ◽  
Lagrangian Approach ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Open Strings ◽  
Homotopy Invariant ◽  
Target Manifold ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Smooth Map

AbstractIn the Lagrangian approach to 2-dimensional sigma models, B-fields and D-branes contribute topological terms to the action of worldsheets of both open and closed strings. We show that these terms naturally fit into a 2-dimensional, smooth open-closed functorial field theory (FFT) in the sense of Atiyah, Segal, and Stolz–Teichner. We give a detailed construction of this smooth FFT, based on the definition of a suitable smooth bordism category. In this bordism category, all manifolds are equipped with a smooth map to a spacetime target manifold. Further, the object manifolds are allowed to have boundaries; these are the endpoints of open strings stretched between D-branes. The values of our FFT are obtained from the B-field and its D-branes via transgression. Our construction generalises work of Bunke–Turner–Willerton to include open strings. At the same time, it generalises work of Moore–Segal about open-closed TQFTs to include target spaces. We provide a number of further features of our FFT: we show that it depends functorially on the B-field and the D-branes, we show that it is thin homotopy invariant, and we show that it comes equipped with a positive reflection structure in the sense of Freed–Hopkins. Finally, we describe how our construction is related to the classification of open-closed TQFTs obtained by Lauda–Pfeiffer.

scholarly journals Chiral correlators in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 2 superconformal quivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Galvagno ◽  
Michelangelo Preti
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Perturbation Theory ◽  
Flat Space ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Superconformal Field Theories ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Yang Mills ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Superspace Formalism ◽  
Model Approach

Abstract We consider a family of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 2 superconformal field theories in four dimensions, defined as ℤq orbifolds of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 4 Super Yang-Mills theory. We compute the chiral/anti-chiral correlation functions at a perturbative level, using both the matrix model approach arising from supersymmetric localisation on the four-sphere and explicit field theory calculations on the flat space using the $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 1 superspace formalism. We implement a highly efficient algorithm to produce a large number of results for finite values of N , exploiting the symmetries of the quiver to reduce the complexity of the mixing between the operators. Finally the interplay with the field theory calculations allows to isolate special observables which deviate from $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 4 only at high orders in perturbation theory.

scholarly journals Fibre-base duality of 5d KK theories

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas P. Braun ◽  
Jin Chen ◽  
Babak Haghighat ◽  
Marcus Sperling ◽  
Shuhang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Field Theory ◽  
Field Theories ◽  
Quantum Field ◽  
Explicit Dependence ◽  
Superconformal Field Theories ◽  
Study Circle ◽  
Rank 2 ◽  
M Theory ◽  
Kaluza Klein ◽  
Theory Interpretation

Abstract We study circle compactifications of 6d superconformal field theories giving rise to 5d rank 1 and rank 2 Kaluza-Klein theories. We realise the resulting theories as M-theory compactifications on local Calabi-Yau 3-folds and match the prepotentials from geometry and field theory. One novelty in our approach is that we include explicit dependence on bare gauge couplings and mass parameters in the description which in turn leads to an accurate parametrisation of the prepotential including all parameters of the field theory. We find that the resulting geometries admit “fibre-base” duality which relates their six-dimensional origin with the purely five-dimensional quantum field theory interpretation. The fibre-base duality is realised simply by swapping base and fibre curves of compact surfaces in the local Calabi-Yau which can be viewed as the total space of the anti-canonical bundle over such surfaces. Our results show that such swappings precisely occur for surfaces with a zero self-intersection of the base curve and result in an exchange of the 6d and 5d pictures.

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