Graded manifold theory as the geometry of supersymmetry

Building upon Kostant's graded manifold theory, we present a new way of introducing spinors into the spacetime manifold, by expanding the algebra of functions on spacetime to a graded algebra. The elements of differential geometry are generalized to accomodate the expanded algebra of functions and in this enriched geometry we find the elements of supersymmetry and of supergravity theory. The geometrical role of the supergravity fields is discussed and a derivation of their transformation rules is given.Research supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant Nos. PHY77-22864 and PHY77-05299