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.     

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).     

N=2 affine superalgebras and Hamiltonian reduction inN=2 superspace

We constructN=2 affine current algebras for the superalgebrassl(n/n-1)⁽¹⁾ in terms ofN=2 supercurrents subjected to nonlinear constraints and discuss the general procedure of the hamiltonian reduction inN=2 superspace at the classical level. We consider in detail the simplest case ofN=2sl(2/1)⁽¹⁾ and show howN=2 superconformal algebra inN=2 superspace follows via the hamiltonian reduction. Applying the hamiltonian reduction to the case ofN=2sl(3/2)⁽¹⁾, we find two new extendedN=2 superconformal algebras in a manifestly supersymmetricN=2 superfield form. Decoupling of four component currents of dimension 1/2 in them yields, respectively,u(2/1) andu(3) Knizhnik-Bershadsky superconformal algebras. We also discuss how theN=2 superfield formulations ofN=2W ₃ andN=2W ₃ ⁽²⁾ superconformal algebras come out in this framework, as well as some unusual extendedN=2 superconformal algebras containing constrainedN=2 stress tensor and/or spin 0 supercurrents.     

Three-Point Functions for MN/SN Orbifolds¶with?= 4 Supersymmetry

The D1–D5 system is believed to have an “orbifold point” in its moduli space where its low energy theory is a ?=4 supersymmetric sigma model with target space M ^N /S _N , where M is T ⁴ or K3. We study correlation functions of chiral operators in CFTs arising from such a theory. We construct a basic class of chiral operators from twist fields of the symmetric group and the generators of the superconformal algebra. We find explicitly the 3-point functions for these chiral fields at large N; these expressions are “universal” in that they are independent of the choice of M. We observe that the result is a significantly simpler expression than the corresponding expression for the bosonic theory based on the same orbifold target space. Received: 29 March 2001 / Accepted: 20 January 2002     

Mirror Symmetry on Kummer Type <Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis>3 Surfaces

We investigate both geometric and conformal field theoretic aspects of mirror symmetry on N=(4,4) superconformal field theories with central charge c=6. Our approach enables us to determine the action of mirror symmetry on (non-stable) singular fibers in elliptic fibrations of _N orbifold limits of K3. The resulting map gives an automorphism of order 4,8, or 12, respectively, on the smooth universal covering space of the moduli space. We explicitly derive the geometric counterparts of the twist fields in our orbifold conformal field theories. The classical McKay correspondence allows for a natural interpretation of our results.     

Construction ofN = 2 superconformal algebra from affine algebras with extended symmetry: I

The purpose of this Letter is to use the idea of the Sugawara-Ka-Todorov construction of theN = 0 andN = 1 superconformal algebras to construct a very simple free-field realization of theN = 2 superconformal algebra.     

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.     

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.     

Strings fromN=2 gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten models

We present an algebraic approach to string theory. An embedding ofsl(2|1) in a super Lie algebra together with a grading on the Lie algebra determines a nilpotent subalgebra of the super Lie algebra. Chirally gauging this subalgebra in the corresponding Wess-Zumino-Witten model, breaks the affine symmetry of the Wess-Zumino-Witten model to some extension of theN=2 superconformal algebra. The extension is completely determined by thesl(2|1) embedding. The realization of the superconformal algebra is determined by the grading. For a particular choice of grading, one obtains in this way, after twisting, the BRST structure of a string theory. We classify all embeddings ofsl(2|1) into Lie super algebras and give a detailed account of the branching of the adjoint representation. This provides an exhaustive classification and characterization of both all extendedN=2 superconformal algebras and all string theories which can be obtained in this way.     

Stochastic Evolutions in Superspace and Superconformal Field Theory

Some stochastic evolutions of conformal maps can be described by SLE and may be linked to conformal field theory via stochastic differential equations and singular vectors in highest-weight modules of the Virasoro algebra. Here we discuss how this may be extended to superconformal maps of N=1 superspace with links to superconformal field theory and singular vectors of the N=1 superconformal algebra in the Neveu–Schwarz sector.     

Extended super-Kač-Moody algebras and their super-derivation algebras

We study theN-extended super-Ka-Moody algebras, i.e. extensions of the Lie algebra of the loop group over the super-circleA _N . The extensions are characterized by 2-cocycles which are computed in terms of the cyclic cohomology of the Grassmann algebra withN generators. The graded algebra of super-derivations compatible with each extension is determined. The casesN=1,2,3 are examined in detail and their relation with the Ademollo et al. superconformal algebras is discussed. We examine the possibility of defining new superconformal algebras which, forN>1, generalize theN=1 Ramond-Neveu-Schwarz algebra.     

Moduli Space of BPS Walls in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories

Existence and uniqueness of the solution are proved for the ‘master equation’ derived from the BPS equation for the vector multiplet scalar in the U(1) gauge theory with N _F charged matter hypermultiplets with eight supercharges. This proof establishes that the solutions of the BPS equations are completely characterized by the moduli matrices divided by the V-equivalence relation for the gauge theory at finite gauge couplings. Therefore the moduli space at finite gauge couplings is topologically the same manifold as that at infinite gauge coupling, where the gauged linear sigma model reduces to a nonlinear sigma model. The proof is extended to the U(N _C) gauge theory with N _F hypermultiplets in the fundamental representation, provided the moduli matrix of the domain wall solution is U(1)-factorizable. Thus the dimension of the moduli space of U(N _C) gauge theory is bounded from below by the dimension of the U(1)-factorizable part of the moduli space. We also obtain sharp estimates of the asymptotic exponential decay which depend on both the gauge coupling and the hypermultiplet mass differences.     

Superconformal transformations of theN = 2,D = 4, SSYM

We obtain the superconformal transformation laws for theN=2,D=4 SSYM. The transformations involve Yang-Mills fields and the corresponding field strength tensor is not constrained to be self antidual. We explicitly demonstrate the closure of the superconformal algebra.     

Non-unitary minimal models,Bailey's Lemma and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>=1,2 Superconformal algebras

Using the Bailey flow construction, we derive character identities for the N=1 superconformal models SM(p′,2p+p′) and SM(p′,3p′−2p), and the N=2 superconformal model with central charge c=3 from the nonunitary minimal models M(p,p′). A new Ramond sector character formula for representations of N=2 superconformal algebras with central element c=3 is given. Supported in part by NSF grant DMS-0200774.     

Algebraic structure of topological superconformal field theory on Riemann surfaces

The algebraic structure of a topological superconformal field theory on a compact Riemann surface is investigated. The Krichever-Novikov [K-N] global operator formalism is used to obtain anN=4 super K-N algebra on a Riemann surface. Subsequently thisN=4 algebra is shown to posses anN=3 K-N subalgebra. TheN=3 subalgebra is then twisted to derive a topological version of the Krichever-Novikov algebra with a residualN=2 superconformal structure. The BRST charge of the associated topological field theory on the Riemann surface is shown to be genus dependent in this formalism and the global generalization of the BRST derivative conditions are obtained. The complete BRST structure of the theory is explicitly elucidated.     

ClassicalN=1W-superalgebras from Hamiltonian reduction

A combinatorial proof is presented of the fact that the space of supersymmetric Lax operators admits a Poisson structure analogous to the second Gel'fand-Dickey bracket of the generalized KdV hierarchies. This allows us to prove that the space of Lax operators of odd order has a symplectic submanifold-defined by (anty)symmetric operators-which inherits a Poisson structure defining classicalW-superalgebras extending theN=1 supervirasoro algebra. This construction thus yields an infinite series of extended superconformal algebras.Address after October 1991: Physikalisches Institut der Universität Bonn, FRG     

Gravitational supervertices in n=1, 4D superstrings

The gravitational supermultiplet for target space-time supersymmetry of four-dimensional heterotic strings is obtained. By an explicit construction of supervertex operators it is shown that the underlying superspace geometry corresponds to the “new-minimal” formulation of N = 1, 4D supergravity. The relation between R-symmetry in target space and the U(1) symmetry of the world-sheet N = 2 superconformal algebra is outlined.     

osp(N, 2) AKNS equations

The osp(N, 2) extension of the AKNS scheme is reconsidered. It leads to a general class of integrable nonlinear evolution equations for 2+N(N–1)/2 commuting and 2N anticommuting fields. by reduction, various osp(N, 2) versions of the Korteweg-de Vries equation can be obtained. One of these is shown to be bi-Hamiltonian and its second Hamiltonian structure corresponds to the classical limit of the so(N) superconformal algebra. The nonlinear Schrödinger and modified Korteweg-de Vries reductions are also briefly discussed.Work supported by NSerc and FCAR.