Geometry of standard constraints and Weil triviality in supersymmetric gauge theories

By using global geometric constructions on superfibre bundles, we provide a geometric interpretation of the standard constraints in supersymmetric gauge theories together with a proof of Weil triviality that holds for arbitrary superspace topologies.On leave of absence from Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Sezione di Napoli, Mostra d'Oltremare Pad. 19, I-80125 Naples, Italy.     

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.     

Instanton effects in supersymmetric gauge theories

We investigate how in supersymmetric gauge theories non-perturbative effects are able to generate non-trivial vacuum properties otherwise forbidden by perturbative non-renormalization theorems. This conclusion can be reliably drawn since the constancy of certain Green functions — due to supersymmetry (SUSY) — allows one to connect vacuum-dominated large distances with short-distance behaviour which is reliably computed by instanton methods. In all the cases we discuss (without matter, with massive or massless matter in real representations and, finally, with matter in complex representations) instanton calculations imply the occurrence of a variety of condensates. For the pure SUSY gauge theory, a gluino condensate induces the spontaneous breaking of Z_2N. For massive super-quantum chromodynamics (SQCD) we find a peculiar mass dependence of matter condensates whose origin is traced to mass singularities of non-zero mode instanton contributions. These contributions force the massless limit of SQCD to differ from the strictly massless case, in which the spontaneous breaking of chiral symmetries is induced. Inconsistency with an anomaly equation forces either infinite matter condensates or spontaneous SUSY breaking in the massless cases. For non-constant Green functions, instantons are shown to provide new calculable short-distance singularities of an obvious non-perturbative nature.     

Vacuum alignment in supersymmetric gauge theories

The vacuum alignment problem is analyzed in the context of supersymmetric gauge theories with dynamical symmetry breaking. Three cases are distinguished, depending on whether the vacuum expectation value of the weak gauge current superfield in vacuum characterized by the orientation Ω is zero for all Ω, for some Ω, or for no Ω. In the first case, a non-renormalization theorem is proved to all orders in the weak coupling, showing that the usual criterion of minimizing the vacuum energy density is insufficient to determine the alignment, and possible resolutions of the problem are discussed. The second case is similar, except that the possible alignments are resricted to the range of Ω giving a vanishing VEV and the weak gauge group may then be broken non-minimally. In the third case, supersymmetry is itself broken at the tree level by the weak interactions. The supersymmetric generalization of the Schwinger mechanism for dynamical mass generation is described.     

Anomaly matching conditions in supersymmetric gauge theories

Sufficient conditions are proven for 't Hooft's consistency conditions to hold at points in the moduli space of supersymmetric gauge theories. Known results for anomaly matching in supersymmetric QCD are rederived as a sample application of the results. The results can be used to show that the anomaly matching conditions hold for s-confining theories.     

Superspace Ward identities in supersymmetric gauge theories

In superspace formulation of supersymmetric gauge theories, gauge invariance requires an infinite set of identities between the infinite set of renormalization constants. Using Ward identities in superspace, the same is derived. These identities at one loop level are also demonstrated.     

A superloop approach to supersymmetric gauge theories

A supersymmetric extension of the loop equations of motion in gauge theories is presented. The ansatz used for solving these superloop equations has the form of an average of the superloop product — supersymmetric path-dependent phase factor. The averaging action is determined by the superloop equations themselves. An example of the abelian spinor gauge superfield is considered in some detail.     

Superpropagators for broken supersymmetric abelian gauge theories

By considering an arbitrary globally supersymmetric abelian gauge theory, the most general shifts on the matter and gauge superfields are performed, the superpropagators are derived and employed for discussing the structure of the terms generated into the effective action.     

On-shell improved lattice gauge theories

By means of a spectrum conserving transformation, we show that one of the 3 coefficients in Symanzik's improved action can be chosen freely, if only spectral quantities (masses of stable particles, heavy quark potential etc.) are to be improved. In perturbation theory, the other 2 coefficients are however completely determined and their values are obtained to lowest order.Heisenberg foundation fellow     

Optical Abelian lattice gauge theories

We discuss a general framework for the realization of a family of Abelian lattice gauge theories, i.e., link models or gauge magnets, in optical lattices. We analyze the properties of these models that make them suitable for quantum simulations. Within this class, we study in detail the phases of a U(1)$U\left(1\right)$-invariant lattice gauge theory in 2+1$2+1$ dimensions, originally proposed by P. Orland. By using exact diagonalization, we extract the low-energy states for small lattices, up to 4×4$4\times 4$. We confirm that the model has two phases, with the confined entangled one characterized by strings wrapping around the whole lattice. We explain how to study larger lattices by using either tensor network techniques or digital quantum simulations with Rydberg atoms loaded in optical lattices, where we discuss in detail a protocol for the preparation of the ground-state. We propose two key experimental tests that can be used as smoking gun of the proper implementation of a gauge theory in optical lattices. These tests consist in verifying the absence of spontaneous (gauge) symmetry breaking of the ground-state and the presence of charge confinement. We also comment on the relation between standard compact U(1)$U\left(1\right)$ lattice gauge theory and the model considered in this paper.     

Residual gauge invariance of Hamiltonian lattice gauge theories

The time-independent residual gauge invariance of Hamiltonian lattice gauge theories is considered. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the unperturbed Hamiltonian are found in terms of Gegenbauer's polynomials. Physical states which satisfy the subsidiary condition corresponding to Gauss' law are constructed systematically.     

Patterns of symmetry breaking in supersymmetric gauge theories

We give a group-theoretical analysis of the spontaneous breaking of the gauge group in supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories with unbroken supersymmetry.     

A superfield formulation of extended supersymmetric gauge theories

We present a superfield framework in which to discuss extended supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories in an unconstrained manner. Superfields and lagrangians are constructed for the SO(2) and SO(4) cases for both the abelian and linearised non-abelian versions and the auxiliary component fields are obtained in those cases. Extension to the interacting or non-abelian case presents severe difficulties which are discussed briefly.