Out of equilibrium dynamics of supersymmetry at high energy density

We investigate the out of equilibrium dynamics of global chiral supersymmetry at finite energy density. We concentrate on two specific models. The first is the massive Wess–Zumino model which we study in a self-consistent one-loop approximation. We find that for energy densities above a certain threshold, the fields are driven dynamically to a point in field space at which the fermionic component of the superfield is massless. The state, however, is found to be unstable, indicating a breakdown of the one-loop approximation. To investigate further, we consider an O(N) massive chiral model which is solved exactly in the large N limit. For sufficiently high energy densities, we find that for late times the fields reach a nonperturbative minimum of the effective potential degenerate with the perturbative minimum. This minimum is a true attractor for O(N) invariant states at high energy densities, and this provides a mechanism for determining which of the otherwise degenerate vacua is chosen by the dynamics. The final state for large energy density is a cloud of massless particles (both bosons and fermions) around this new nonperturbative supersymmetric minimum. By introducing boson masses which softly break the supersymmetry, we demonstrate a see-saw mechanism for generating small fermion masses. We discuss some of the cosmological implications of our results.     

Aspects of supersymmetric quantum mechanics

We review the properties of supersymmetric quantum mechanics for a class of models proposed by Witten. Using both Hamiltonian and path integral formulations, we give general conditions for which supersymmetry is broken (unbroken) by quantum fluctuations. The spectrum of states is discussed, and a virial theorem is derived for the energy. We also show that the euclidean path integral for supersymmetric quantum mechanics is equivalent to a classical stochastic process when the supersymmetry is unbroken (E₀ = 0). By solving a Fokker-Planck equation for the classical probability distribution, we find P_c(y) is identical to |Ψ₀(y)|² in the quantum theory.     

Supersymmetry and positive temperature for simple systems

It has recently been argued by Girardello et al. that supersymmetry is automatically broken at positive temperature even when unbroken at T = 0, in the sense that the usual derivation of identities from unbroken supersymmetry does not automatically generalize to T > 0. Using as a guide simple examples with one bosonic and one fermionic degree of freedom, we study how supersymmetry reflects itself in the properties of excited states, in particular in the thermal properties at positive temperature. We derive a class of relations [see eq. 1.2)] which extend to all T the familiar consequences of unbroken supersymmetry for ground-state expectation values; these relations hold for unbroken and spontaneously broken supersymmetry. With Levine and Tomozawa we consider the algebra generated by the supercharges. In the case of two supercharges it can be reduced to the Clifford algebra of Pauli spin matrices, for which the eigenstates form irreducible doublets, except that a zero-energy eigenstate may be a singlet. The relations mentioned above are shown to hold for each doublet individually [see eq. (4,7)]. Some additional remarks are made on supersymmetry breaking at zero and positive temperatures.     

Some BPS configurations of the BLG theory

We obtain BPS configurations of the BLG theory and its variant including mass terms for scalars and fermions in addition to a background field with different world-volume and R-symmetries. Three cases are considered, with world-volume symmetries SO(1,1) and SO(2) and preserving different amounts of supersymmetry. In the former case we obtain a singular configuration preserving N=(3,3) supersymmetry and an one-quarter BPS configuration corresponding to intersecting M2-M5-M5-branes. In the latter instance the BPS equations are reduced to those in the self-dual Chern-Simons theory with two complex scalars. In want of an exact solution, we find a topological vortex solution numerically in this case. Other solutions are given by combinations of domain walls.     

Supersymmetries of the spin-1/2 particle in the field of magnetic vortex, and anyons

The quantum non-relativistic spin-1/2 planar systems in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field are known to possess the N = 2 supersymmetry. We consider such a system in the field of a magnetic vortex, and find that there are just two self-adjoint extensions of the Hamiltonian that are compatible with the standard N = 2 supersymmetry. We show that only in these two cases one of the subsystems coincides with the original spinless Aharonov-Bohm model and comes accompanied by the super-partner Hamiltonian which allows a singular behavior of the wave functions. We find a family of additional, nonlocal integrals of motion and treat them together with local supercharges in the unifying framework of the tri-supersymmetry. The inclusion of the dynamical conformal symmetries leads to an infinitely generated superalgebra, that contains several representations of the superconformal osp(2∣2) symmetry. We present the application of the results in the framework of the two-body model of identical anyons. The nontrivial contact interaction and the emerging N = 2 linear and nonlinear supersymmetries of the anyons are discussed.     

Minimal gauge origin of baryon triality and flavorful signatures at the LHC

Baryon triality (B₃) is a Z₃ discrete symmetry that can protect the proton from decay. Although its realization does not require supersymmetry, it is particularly appealing in the supersymmetry as an alternative to the popular R-parity. We discuss the issues in gauging B₃, and present the minimal supersymmetric model with B₃ as the remnant discrete symmetry of a TeV scale U(1) gauge symmetry. A flavor-dependent U(1) charge is necessary to achieve this, and it results in very distinguishable and flavorful predictions for the LHC experiments. We find a complementarity between a 2-lepton sneutrino resonance and a 4-lepton Z^′ resonance in the supersymmetry search when a certain condition is satisfied.In addition, we introduce baryon tetrality (B₄), which would play an equivalent role if there are four fermion generations.     

Temperature and supersymmetry

We study equal-time correlation functions at finite temperature in field theories with global supersymmetry. Global supersymmetry is found to be broken at finite temperature; the ground state is not supersymmetric but no Goldstone fermion appears. The temperature dependence of the mass spectrum in the one-loop approximation and leading order in temperature is investigated in several models. In the models that we consider with spontaneous supersymmetry breaking we find that the Goldstone fermion remains massless at the one-loop level. Ward identities describing the supersymmetry of the underlying theory are checked at the one-loop level. We also discuss the situation in supergravity.     

Kähler spinning particles

We construct the U(N) spinning particle theories, which describe particles moving on Kähler spaces. These particles have the same relation to the N = 2 string as usual spinning particles have to the NSR string. We find the restrictions on the target space of the theories coming from supersymmetry and from global anomalies. Finally, we show that the partition functions of the theories agree with what is expected from their spectra, unlike that of the N = 2 string in which there is an anomalous dependence on the proper time.     

Superstring cosmology for N4 = 1 → 0 superstring vacua

We study the cosmology of perturbative heterotic superstring theory during the radiation‐like era for semi‐realistic backgrounds with initial 𝒩 = 1 supersymmetry. This analysis is valid for times after the Hagedorn era (or alternatively inflation era) but before the electroweak symmetry breaking transition. We find an attraction to a radiation‐like era with the ratio of the supersymmetry breaking scale to temperature stabilized. This provides a dynamical mechanism for setting the supersymmetry breaking scale and its corresponding hierarchy with the Planck scale. For the internal space, we find that orbifold directions never decompactify, while toroidal directions may decompactify only when they are wrapped by certain geometrical fluxes which break supersymmetry. This suggests a mechanism for generating spatial directions during the radiation‐like era. Moreover, we show that certain moduli may be stabilized during the radiation‐like era with masses near the supersymmetry breaking scale. In addition, the moduli do not dominate at late times, thus avoiding the cosmological moduli problem.     

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.     

N = 3 and N = 1 supersymmetry in a new class of solutions for d = 11 supergravity

We present a new class of compactifying solutions for d = 11 supergravity. The internal 7-spaces are described by coset manifolds N^pqr of the form SU(3) × U(1)/U(1) × U(1). The three integers p, q, r characterize the embedding of the stability subgroup U(1) × U(1) in SU(3) × U(1).Their supersymmetry content is quite remarkable. For a particular choice of p, q, r the isometry of N^pqr is SU(3) × SU(2): in this case we find that N = 3 supersymmetry survives. For all the other values of p, q, r, supersymmetry is broken to N = 1, and the isometry group is SU(3) × U(1).We also find a class of solutions with internal photon curl F_αβγδ ≠ 0, breaking all supersymmetries.     

Can inflation induce supersymmetry breaking in a metastable vacuum?

We argue that fields responsible for inflation and supersymmetry breaking are connected by gravitational couplings. In view of the recent progress in studying supersymmetry breaking in a metastable vacuum, we have shown that in models of supersymmetric hybrid inflation, where R-symmetry plays an important role, the scale of supersymmetry breaking is generated dynamically at the end of inflation and turns out to be consistent with gravity mediation.     

Supergraphity: (II). Manifestly covariant rules and higher-loop finiteness

We continue our discussion of the background field formalism in supersymmetric theories, deriving new covariant Feynman rules for chiral superfields. As a result, we obtain improved power-counting rules for both simple and extended supersymmetry which can be used to make the following statements: If the corresponding extended superfield formalism exist, (a) N=2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory is finite beyond one loop, (b) N=4 Yang-Mills is finite at all loops, and (c) N=8 supergravity is finite through six loops. We also find that in simple super-Yang-Mills the radiative corrections to the Fayet-Iliopoulos (“D”) term, which are known to vanish for higher loops, also vanish automatically at one loop for arbitrary couplings.     

Pseudo-Hyperkähler Geometry and Generalized Kähler Geometry

We discuss the conditions for additional supersymmetry and twisted super-symmetry in N = (2, 2) supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models described by one left and one right semi-chiral superfield and carrying a pair of non-commuting complex structures. Focus is on linear non-manifest transformations of these fields that have an algebra that closes off-shell. We find that additional linear supersymmetry has no interesting solution, whereas additional linear twisted supersymmetry has solutions with interesting geometrical properties. We solve the conditions for invariance of the action and show that these solutions correspond to a bi-hermitian metric of signature (2, 2) and a pseudo-hyperkähler geometry of the target space.     

A custodial symmetry for the cosmological constant in the effective theories of four-dimensional superstrings

We discuss supersymmetry breaking in the effective supergravity theories of four-dimensional N = 1 superstrings. Improving a recent suggestion, we introduce a superpotential modification that describes spontaneous supersymmetry breaking with vanishing cosmological constant and Str M² = 0 at any minimum of the tree level potential. We prove that in a class of models there are classical minima at which also Str f(M² = 0 for any function f. In particular, the whole one-loop cosmological constant vanishes. We propose a new boson-fermion symmetry of the spectrum, relating the graviton and the “dilatino”, which explains these remarkable properties.     

Off-shell extended supergravity and central charges

We discuss the problem of field redefinition for irreducible representations of N = 3 and 4 supersymmetry in order that they reduce on-shell to the corresponding supergravities. We find that such redefinition is impossible in the Fermi sector in these cases. We conclude that central charges are essential to achieve such reduction, and that in particular they must be spin-reducing.     

Superspace geometry and N = 1 non-minimal supergravity

We investigate superspace geometry for supergravity with non-minimal auxilliary fields. We find that the kinematic constraints and the superspace Bianchi identities are sufficient to obtain complete component expansions of all superspace quantities, including the vielbein and connection superfields. We include a detailed pedagogical discussion on the analysis of constrained superspace Bianchi identities, demonstrating how these are used to derive component field content and transformation laws. We also note that local, chiral supersymmetry representations which form arbitrary representations of the Lorentz group can exist only within the context of supergravity with non-minimal auxilliary fields.     

Calibrations and Intersecting Branes

We investigate the solutions of Nambu–Goto-type actions associated with calibrations. We determine the supersymmetry preserved by these solutions using the contact set of the calibration and examine their bulk interpretation as intersecting branes. We show that the supersymmetry preserved by such solutions is closely related to the spinor singlets of the subgroup G of Spin (9,1) or Spin (10,1) that rotates the tangent spaces of the brane. We find that the supersymmetry projections of the worldvolume solutions are precisely those of the associated bulk configurations. We also investigate the supersymmetric solutions of a Born–Infeld action. We show that in some cases this problem again reduces to counting spinor singlets of a subgroup of Spin (9,1) acting on the associated spinor representations. We also find new worldvolume solutions which preserve 1/8 of the supersymmetry of the bulk and give their bulk interpretation. Received: 20 May 1998 / Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Reflection matrices for integrable N = 1 supersymmetric theories

We study two-dimensional integrable N = 1 supersymmetric theories (without topological charges) in the presence of a boundary. We find a universal ratio between the reflection amplitudes for particles that are related by supersymmetry and we propose exact reflection matrices for the supersymmetric extensions of the multi-component Yang-Lee models and for the breather multiplets of the supersymmetric sine-Gordon theory. We point out the connection between our reflection matrices and the classical boundary actions for the supersymmetric sine-Gordon theory as constructed by Inami, Odake and Zhang [Phys. Lett. B 359 (1995) 118].     

Canonical supergravity potentials

We investigate the potentials of supergravity models with canonical kinetic energy and derive several properties. If the model isR-invariant with non-negativeR-charges, we prove that the potential is strictly positive and vanishes without finetuning if and only if supersymmetry is unbroken. Allowing for negativeR-charges we present a model where supersymmetry is broken in the absolute minimum which is finetuned toV _min=0.