The β-function in supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

We show by means of the Adler-Bardeen theorem how to calculate the two-loop β function from a one-loop calculation of the superconformal anomaly in a supersymmetric gauge theory with arbitrary superpotential. The N = 2 and N = 4 cases are also briefly discussed.     

Dimensional regularization and the two-loop axial anomaly in abelian,non-abelian and supersymmetric gauge theories

The two-loop corrections to the axial anomaly are calculated for a non-abelian gauge theory with fermions using both conventional and supersymmetric dimensional regularization. In both cases we find results consistent with the Adler-Bardeen theorem if we use non-anticommuting γ⁵ of 't Hooft and Veltman. Expectations (based on the supermultiplet structure of the anomalies) that there exists in N = 1 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory an axial current J⁵ such that $\text{?·J}{}^5\text{～ β(g)F}\text{F}\text{?}$ are discussed.     

Dynamical supersymmetry breaking and gauge anomalies

Some aspects of supersymmetric gauge theories and discussed. It is shown that dynamical supersymmetry breaking does not occur in supersymmetric QED in higher dimensions. The cancellation of both local (perturbative) and global (non-perturbative) gauge anomalies are also discussed in supersymmetric gauge theories. We argue that there is no dynamical supersymmetry breaking in higher dimensions in any supersymmetric gauge theories free of gauge anomalies. It is also shown that for supersymmetric gauge theories in higher dimensions with a compact connected simple gauge group, when the local anomaly-free condition is satisfied, there can be at most a possibleZ ₂ global gauge anomaly in extended supersymmetricSO(10) (or spin (10)) gauge theories inD=10 dimensions containing additional Weyl fermions in a spinor representation ofSO(10) (or spin (10)). In four dimensions with local anomaly-free condition satisfied, the only possible global gauge anomalies in supersymmetric gauge theories areZ ₂ global gauge anomalies for extended supersymmetricSP(2N) (N=rank) gauge theories containing additional Weyl fermions in a representation ofSP(2N) with an odd 2nd-order Dynkin index.     

Anomaly matching conditions and the moduli space of supersymmetric gauge theories

The structure of the moduli space of N = 1 supersymmetric gauge theories is analyzed from an algebraic geometric viewpoint. The connection between the fundamental fields of the ultraviolet theory, and the gauge-invariant composite fields of the infrared theory is explained in detail. The results are then used to prove an anomaly matching theorem. The theorem is used to study anomaly matching for supersymmetric QCD, and can explain all the known anomaly matching results for this case.     

A new derivation of the Picard-Fuchs equations for effective N = 2 super Yang-Mills theories

A new method to obtain the Picard-Fuchs equations of effective, N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories in 4 dimensions is developed. It includes both pure super Yang-Mills and supersymmetric gauge theories with massless matter hypermultiplets. It applies to all classical gauge groups, and directly produces a decoupled set of second-order, partial differential equations satisfied by the period integrals of the Seiberg-Witten differential along the 1-cycles of the algebraic curves describing the vacuum structure of the corresponding N = 2 theory.     

Adler–Bardeen theorem and manifest anomaly cancellation to all orders in gauge theories

We reconsider the Adler–Bardeen theorem for the cancellation of gauge anomalies to all orders, when they vanish at one loop. Using the Batalin–Vilkovisky formalism and combining the dimensional-regularization technique with the higher-derivative gauge invariant regularization, we prove the theorem in the most general perturbatively unitary renormalizable gauge theories coupled to matter in four dimensions, and we identify the subtraction scheme where anomaly cancellation to all orders is manifest, namely no subtractions of finite local counterterms are required from two loops onwards. Our approach is based on an order-by-order analysis of renormalization, and, differently from most derivations existing in the literature, does not make use of arguments based on the properties of the renormalization group. As a consequence, the proof we give also applies to conformal field theories and finite theories.     

The topological meaning of non-abelian anomalies

We show how the non-abelian anomaly for gauge fields coupled to Weyl fermions in 2n dimensions is related to the non-trivial topology of gauge orbit space. The form of the anomaly and its normalization are shown to follow from a familiar index theorem for a certain (2n + 2)-dimensional Dirac operator. We are thus able to recover and give topological meaning to a variety of results concerning anomalies in 4- and higher-dimensional theories.     

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.     

Path-integral formulation of conformal anomalies

We present a path-integral formulation of conformal anomalies and point out an intimate interplay of the local Poincaré anomaly and the dilatational anomaly. A key observation in our approach is that the algorithm of the path-integral formulation has natural foundation within the zeta-function regularization scheme. This observation shows us how to treat nonlinear systems as well as higher-order anomalies and suggests a way to understand the Adler-Bardeen theorem for chiral anomalies within the path-integral approach.     

Chiral U(1) anomaly in D=4 super Yang-Mills theory coupled to supergravity

We evaluate the chiral U(1) anomaly in D=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory coupled to supergravity. We consider not only the minimal coupling between the gauge fields and fermions but also the interaction term which mixes the gravitino and the gaugino. We show that the mixing interaction gives new contributions to the anomaly.     

The supersymmetric Wess-Zumino action and U(1) gauge fields

The supersymmetric effective action is constructed which when varied under gauge groups containing explicit U(1) factors reproduces the mixed gauge field contribution to the SU(N) anomaly while being U(1) invariant. It constitutes generalization of the supersymmetric Wess-Zumino action. The form of supersymmetric mixed anomaly is also discussed.     

Phase factors,point-splitting regularisation and chiral anomalies

A method is proposed to construct the path-independent form of phase factors pertaining to non-abelian gauge theories. It is found that the original form of the phase factor, as envisaged by Schwinger, is reproduced for a straight path. As an illustration of its use this work is applied, within the framework of point-splitting regularisation, to obtain the familiar axial anomaly in a pure vector gauge theory. Subtleties associated with the treatment of the vector gauge current are also discussed. Finally, the scheme of computations is employed to derive the covariant and consistent anomalies in a non-abelian chiral gauge theory in arbitrary even dimensions.     

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.     

Supersymmetry breaking and gauge mediation in models with a generic superpotential

We present a general scheme for finding or creating a metastable vacuum in supersymmetric theories. By using the formalism, we show that there is a parameter region where a metastable vacuum exists in the Wess–Zumino model coupled to messenger fields. This model serves as a perturbative renormalizable model of direct gauge mediation.     

Dynamical generation of supersymmetry

In this letter I demonstrate that supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories can be generated as the low energy behavior of strongly coupled theories which possess no supersymmetry at high energy. Explicit examples are given for which the low energy gauge group is SU(N), SO(N) or Sp(2N).     

New avenues in supersymmetry and supergravity

We analyze the problem of constructing supersymmetric versions of gauge theories of particles and of gravity which have a closed supersymmetric algebra. Inparticular we present the basic no-go theorems that indicate that in four dimensions it is not possible to construct suitably extended supersymmetric versions of the above theories without drastic modification of the supersymmetric algebra. Two ways past the“N=3” barrier are discussed; that of central charges involved highly constrained versions which appearn difficult to quantize effectively, while the use of light-cone variables seems to be the most promising. We give light-cone gauge versions of supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories for all extended cases of interest and briefly consider their ultraviolet divergence properties.     

Auxiliary field-free supersymmetric gauges

We find that, in perturbation theory, non-light-cone axial gauges, N ° A^a (x) = 0, preserve the supersymmetry remaining in N = 1 supersymmetric YM theories, after imposing the Wess-Zumino gauge.