Ultra-violet finiteness of supersymmetric non-linear sigma models

It is shown that N = 4 supersymmetric non-linear sigma models in two spacetime dimensions are ultra-violet finite to all orders in perturbation theory.     

Non-perturbative aspects in supersymmetric gauge theories

We review our present understanding of those non-perturbative features of supersymmetric gauge theories that are believed to determine the properties of their ground states (vacua). A wide variety of theories is discussed in detail: pure Yang-Mills, theories with massive or massless real matter fields, theories with chiral matter, both for SU(N) and for the case of a general compact gauge group (as for instance E₈). Depending on some general features of the theory under consideration, various (perhaps) unexpected phenomena are shown to occur. Among these the breakdown of the (perturbatively established) non-renormalization theorem, the occurrence of runaway vacua in certain limits, the spontaneous dynamical breaking of supersymmetry itself in some chiral theories. Throughout the report we restrict ourselves to the confining picture instanton method, occasionally complementing it with the information coming from chiral and supersymmetric Ward-Takahashi identities. We compare our results with the ones suggested earlier by effective Lagrangian methods and, only briefly, with those obtained by other groups in the Higgs picture.     

Finiteness of N = 4 supersymmetric sigma models

The two-dimensional supersymmetric K3 σ-model is not renormalized in all orders of perturbation theory.     

The effective potential in extended supersymmetric non-linear sigma models

It is proved that for a certain class of off-shell formulations the effective potential is either renormalizable, or extended supersymmetry is broken by the effects of renormalization. Examples of the latter are given and possibilities for the former are discussed. Explicit two loop calculations support the general results.     

Beta functions and central charge of supersymmetric sigma models with torsion

We present a method for the computation of the renormalization group β-functions and the central charge in two-dimensional supersymmetric sigma models in a gravitational background. The two-loops results are exhibited. We use the Pauli-Villars regularization which preserves supersymmetry and permits an unambiguous treatment of the model with torsion. The central charge we derive for a general manifold is in agreement with the expression found on group manifolds.     

(8,0) Locally supersymmetric sigma models with conformal invariance in two dimensions

The (8,0) conformal supergravity, and an action which describes its coupling to an arbitrary number of (8,0) scalar multiplets are constructed. The 64+64 components of the conformal supermultiplet occur as Lagrange multipliers which lead to differential and algebraic constraints on the fields of the scalar multiplets. Solving the algebraic constraints yields an (8,0) locally supersymmetric sigma model based on the manifold SO(8 + n,m)/SO(8)×SO(n,m), where n,m ⩾ 0.     

Non-perturbative effects in two-dimensional lattice O(N) models

Non-abelian analogues of Kosterlitz-Thouless vortices may have important effects in two-dimensional lattice spin systems with O(N) symmetries. Renormalization group equations which include these effects are developed in two ways. The first set of equations extends the renormalization group equations of Kosterlitz to O(N) spin systems, in a form suggested by Cardy and Hamber. The second is derived from a Villain-type O(N) model using Migdal's recursion relations. Using these equations, the part played by topological excitations in the crossover from weak to strong coupling behavior is studied. Another effect which influences crossover behavior is also discussed: irrelevant operators which occur naturally in lattice theories can make important contributions to the renormalization group flow in the crossover region. When combined with conventional perturbative results, these two effects may explain the observed crossover behavior of these models.     

Homogeneous Kähler manifolds: Paving the way towards new supersymmetric sigma models

Homogeneous Kähler manifolds give rise to a broad class of supersymmetric sigma models containing, as a rather special subclass, the more familiar supersymmetric sigma models based on Hermitian symmetric spaces. In this article, all homogeneous Kähler manifolds with semisimple symmetry groupG are constructed, and are classified in terms of Dynkin diagrams. Explicit expressions for the complex structure and the Kähler structure are given in terms of the Lie algebra g ofG. It is shown that for compactG, one can always find an Einstein-Kähler structure, which is unique up to a constant multiple and for which the Kähler potential takes a simple form.On leave of absence from Fakultät für Physik der Universität Freiburg, FRG     

Non-perturbative renormalization-group approach to lattice models

The non-perturbative renormalization-group approach is extended to lattice models, considering as an example a φ⁴ theory defined on a d-dimensional hypercubic lattice. Within a simple approximation for the effective action, we solve the flow equations and obtain the renormalized dispersion epsilon(q) over the whole Brillouin zone of the reciprocal lattice. In the long-distance limit, where the lattice does not matter any more, we reproduce the usual flow equations of the continuum model. We show how the numerical solution of the flow equations can be simplified by expanding the dispersion in a finite number of circular harmonics.     

Phase transition and 1/N expansion in (2+1)-dimensional supersymmetric sigma models

Three-dimensional supersymmetric generalized non-linear sigma models are shown to exhibit second-order phase transition due to spontaneous breakdown of the internal symmetry below a critical value of the coupling constant. Supersymmetry remains unbroken in both phases. Supergraph diagram technique of the corresponding 1/N expansion and the particle spectrum are derived.     

Non-perturbative renormalization group functions in (2+1)-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories

Three-dimensional supersymmetric Higgs models with an additional U(N) flavor symmetry are considered within the 1/N expansion. Explicit expressions for the renormalization group functions are obtained in the large N limit which exhibit logarithmic dependence on the gauge coupling constants.