Study of N = 2 superconformal field theories in 4 dimensions

Making use of the exact solutions of the N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories, we construct new classes of superconformal field theories (SCFTs) by fine-tuning the moduli parameters and bringing the theories to critical points. SCFTs we have constructed represent universality classes of the 4-dimensional N = 2 SCFTs.     

Taxonomy of heterotic superconformal field theories

We derive the massless spectrum of all heterotic two-dimensional superconformal field theories constructed by tensoring models from the discrete series (c<3) using diagonal and exceptional affine invariants (but not including the quotients by discrete groups). A comparison is made between these models and known manifold constructions lending some support to the conjecture that some of these are sigma models with Calabi-Yau target spaces.     

Gauged Lifshitz scalar field theories in two dimensions

We present two-dimensional gauged Lifshitz scalar field theories by considering the duality relation between the source current and the Noether current. Requiring the duality partially, we obtain a gauged model which recovers the bosonized Schwinger model for the IR limit. For the exact duality, however, the source current is not conserved, which means that the resulting theory is anomalous, so that the number of degrees of freedom is increased. The second model is consistently formulated by adding the Wess–Zumino type action to maintain the gauge invariance.     

Symmetries and couplings in heterotic superconformal field theories

We discuss the symmetries of the superpotential in comfactified heterotic superstring theories formed from the product of minimal N = 2 superconformal field theories. It is shown how these symmetries can ensure flatness of the potential involving the moduli, and we derive new results (going beyond those obtained by superconformal techniques alone) for the flatness of the potential involving other massless fields.     

Nonlocal current algebra and N = 2 superconformal field theory in two dimensions

We present a new construction of the unitary highest weight representations of the N = 2 superconformal algebras in two dimensions. This construction is based on the non-local current in the Z_N conformal theory and a free scalar field. It provides a physical realization of all the unitary N = 2 superconformal field theories by critical systems. The correlation functions of the theories can be calculated through this construction.     

Types of two-dimensionalN = 4 superconformal field theories

Various types ofN = 4 superconformal symmetries in two dimensions are considered. It is proposed that apart from the well-known cases ofSU (2)and SU(2) × SU(2) ×U (1), their Kac-Moody symmetry can also be SU(2) × (U (1))⁴. Operator product expansions for the last case are derived. A complete free field realization for the same is obtained     

Modular invariance in N=2 superconformal field theories

The modular invariance properties of two-dimensional N=2 superconformal field theories are studied. It is shown that the character formulae of the central charge c<3 unitary highest weight representation for the untwisted algebras can be written in terms of the string functions and the theta functions of the affine su(2) Kac-Moody algebra. Deriving the modular transformation of the characters we construct the modular invariant partition functions on a torus. The character relation corresponding to the coset space construction of the unitary discrete series in the N=2 algebra is also obtained.     

Observations on the moduli space of superconformal field theories

Some aspects of the moduli space of superconformal field theories are discussed. It is helpful to consider the conformal field theory as a background for propagation of strings and to exploit the space-time interpretation. Using this point of view we show that the metric on the moduli space of N = 4 superconformal field theory with c = 6 is locally that of O(20,4)/O(20) × O(4). We also discover some properties of the moduli space of N = 2 superconformal field theories with c = 9. Particular examples of these conformal field theories are sigma models on four- and six-dimensional Calabi-Yau spaces. Therefore, we can use this technique to learn about the moduli space of these spaces. For c = 6 we recover the known moduli space of K₃. Our analysis of the c = 9 system leads to a new coupling in four dimensional supergravity. As a by-product, we prove that gauge couplings cannot depend on the moduli of N = 1 space-time supersymmetric compactifications.     

Quantum field theories in all dimensions

In this paper we exhibit a large class of hermitian scalar field theories satisfying the Wightman axioms. For eachd>0, and each polynomialP, we exhibit a collection of theories which are loosely but legitimately based on aP() interaction ind space dimensions. One of the features of the construction is that the Wightmann-point function of each theory is a sum of finitely many integrals associated with Feynman-like graphs. Thus, it is in closed form.     

Conformally invariant field theories in two dimensions and corresponding statistical mechanical models

Belavin, Zamlodochikov and Polyakov have recently proposed a class of conformally invariant field theories in two dimension with exactly determined rational critical indices. We establish a tentative identification of a subset of these theories in terms of the O(n) model and theq-state Potts model in 2-dimensions for appropriaten andq. The results of this work were reported in the conference on “Structural Similarities in Exactly Solved Models” at I.T.P. Santa Barbara, August 1984.     

On the Poisson-Lie T-duality in two-dimensional N=2 superconformal field theories

A supersymmetric generalization of the Poisson-Lie T-duality transformation is proposed. It is shown that N=2 superconformal two-dimensional WZNW models possess natural Poisson-Lie symmetry, which makes it possible to construct Poisson-Lie T-dual σ models. Pis’ma Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 64, No. 12, 823–828 (25 December 1996)     

Modular invariant partition functions for N = 2 superconformal field theories

We find the characters of all the unitary degenerate highest weight representations of the N = 2 superconformal algebras with c<3. The constraints of modular invariance on the field contents of the two-dimensional N = 2 superconformal field theories are explored. The constraints take the form of sum rules on the number of superconformal highest weight representations. Models which satisfy these constraints are classified. We also discuss the condition of unbroken supersymmetry in these models.     

On quantum gauge theories in two dimensions

Two dimensional quantum Yang-Mills theory is studied from three points of view: (i) by standard physical methods; (ii) by relating it to the largek limit of three dimensional Chern-Simons theory and two dimensional conformal field theory; (iii) by relating its weak coupling limit to the theory of Reidemeister-Ray-Singer torsion. The results obtained from the three points of view agree and give formulas for the volumes of the moduli spaces of representations of fundamental groups of two dimensional surfaces.Research supported in part by NSF Grant PHY86-20266     

Consistent gauge-invariant chiral theories in two dimensions

We employ a gauge-invariant point-splitting procedure to solve chiral gauge theories in two dimensions. We present an explicit solution of the chiral Schwinger model. The resulting theory is gauge-invariant and unitary containing a massless physical state. The method is generalizable to higher dimensions.     

The minimal superconformal (p,0) supercurrents in two dimensions

Superconformal transformations in rigid (p, q) superspace are defined. For the (p, 0) case it is shown how the general superspace Noethercurrent for any given model can be reduced to a minimal supercurrent. This generalization of the energy-momentum tensor consists of two (p, 0) superfields, and the conservation equations show that no auxiliary currents are present in their components.     

The superconformal algebra in higher dimensions

The superconformal algebra for 4/4N-dimensional super-Minkowski space (d=4) can be identified with the simple superalgebra su (2,2/N). For even-dimension d=5,6 the superconformal algebra can be identified with a real form of the simple superalgebras F(4), D(4,1) respectively in Kac's classification. For even-dimension d>-7 it is impossible to define a superconformal algebra satisfying three natural conditions: (1) it acts as infinitesimal automorphisms on super-Minkowski space; (2) this action extends the natural action of the super-Poincaré algebra; (3) when the action of the even part of the superconformal algebra is reduced to an infinitesimal action on ordinary Minkowski space, it extends the natural action of the conformal algebra so (2, d).     

Internal symmetries from field theories in higher dimensions

It is suggested that a dynamical space-time symmetry group of a given non-linear relativistic theory is able to generate an internal symmetry group. It is shown that onlyO(2N-1, 1) andO(2N, 1) groups are admitted as simple dynamical symmetry groups, and they implyU(2 ^N –2) as the largest internal symmetry groups. The boson and fermion content of the considered models is determined and a new dynamical symmetry breaking mechanism, different from the spontaneous one, is introduced.Presented at the International Symposium Selected Topics in Quantum Field Theory and Mathematical Physics, Bechyn, Czechoslovakia, June 14–19, 1981.The author would like to thank Professor J. Niederle for the kind hospitality extended to him during his stay at Bechyn.