We demonstrate that the nilpotent Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry invariance of the Lagrangian density of a four (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory with Dirac fields can be captured within the framework of the superfield approach to BRST formalism. The above 4D theory, where there is an explicit coupling between the non-Abelian 1-form gauge field and the Dirac fields, is considered on a (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold, parameterized by the bosonic 4D space-time variables and a pair of Grassmannian variables. We show that the Grassmannian independence of the super Lagrangian density, expressed in terms of the (4, 2)-dimensional superfields, is a clear signature of the presence of the (anti-)BRST invariance in the original 4D theory.
We propose new off-shell models for spontaneously broken local ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetry, in which the supergravity multiplet couples to nilpotent Goldstino superfields that contain either a gauge one-form or a gauge two-form in addition to spin-1/2 Goldstone fermions and auxiliary fields. In the case of ${\cal N}=2$ Poincaré supersymmetry, we elaborate on the concept of twisted chiral superfields and present a nilpotent ${\cal N}=2$ superfield that underlies the cubic nilpotency conditions given in arXiv:1707.03414 in terms of constrained ${\cal N}=1$ superfields.
We find new solutions to real cubic constraints on $N=1$ chiral superfields transforming under global abelian symmetries. These solutions describe the low-energy dynamics of a goldstino interacting with an axion (both belonging to the same chiral superfield) with non-linearly realized supersymmetry. We show the relation between our model and the approach of Komargodski and Seiberg for describing goldstino-axion dynamics which uses orthogonal nilpotent superfields.
We derive the off-shell nilpotent as well as absolutely anticommuting (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations, within the framework of superfield approach to BRST formalism, for a free particle system constrained to move on a torus. We also construct the most appropriate gauge-fixed Lagrangian which respects the (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations.
We derive supersymmetry/supergravity models with constrained orthogonal nilpotent superfields from the linear models in the formal limit where the masses of the sgoldstino, inflatino and sinflaton tend to infinity. The case where the sinflaton mass remains finite leads to a model with a `relaxed' constraint, where the sinflaton remains an independent field. Our procedure is equivalent to a requirement that some of the components of the curvature of the moduli space tend to infinity.
In the framework of N=2 conformal supergravity in four dimensions, we introduce a nilpotent chiral superfield suitable for the description of partial supersymmetry breaking in maximally supersymmetric spacetimes. As an application, we construct Maxwell-Goldstone multiplet actions for partial N=2 --> N=1 supersymmetry breaking on R x S^3, AdS_3 x S^1 (or its covering AdS_3 x R), and a pp-wave spacetime. In each of these cases, the action coincides with a unique curved-superspace extension of the N=1 supersymmetric Born-Infeld action, which is singled out by the requirement of U(1) duality invar…
We derive the off-shell nilpotent (fermionic) (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations by exploiting the (anti-)chiral superfield approach (ACSA) to Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism for the interacting Abelian 1-form gauge theories where there is a coupling between the U(1) Abelian 1-form gauge field and Dirac as well as complex scalar fields. We exploit the (anti-)BRST invariant restrictions on the (anti-)chiral superfields to derive the fermionic symmetries of our present D-dimensional Abelian 1-form gauge theories. The novel observation of our present investigation is the derivation o…
We exploit the power and potential of the (anti-)chiral superfield approach (ACSA) to Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism to derive the nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for any arbitrary D-dimensional interacting non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory where there is a SU(N) gauge invariant coupling between the gauge field and the Dirac fields. We derive the conserved and nilpotent (anti-)BRST charges and establish their nilpotency and absolute anticommutativity properties within the framework of ACSA to BRST formalism. The clinching proof of the absolute anticommutativity propert…
We derive the complete set of off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST), anti-BRST and (anti-)co-BRST symmetry transformations for all the fields of the modified version of two (1+1)-dimensional (2D) Proca theory by exploiting the "augmented" superfield formalism where the (dual-)horizontality conditions and (dual-)gauge-invariant restrictions are exploited together. We capture the (anti-)BRST and (anti-)co-BRST invariance of the Lagrangian density in the language of superfield formalism. We also express the nilpotency and absolute anticommutativity of t…
We derive the off-shell nilpotent symmetries of the two (1+1)-dimensional (2D) non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory by using the theoretical techniques of the geometrical superfield approach to Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism. For this purpose, we exploit the augmented version of superfield approach (AVSA) and derive theoretically useful nilpotent (anti-)BRST, (anti-)co-BRST symmetries and Curci-Ferrari (CF) type restrictions for the self-interacting 2D non-Abelian 1-form gauge theory (where there is no interaction with matter fields). The derivation of the (anti-)co-BRST symmetries and …
We derive the continuous nilpotent symmetries of the four (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) model of the Hodge theory (i.e. 4D Abelian 2-form gauge theory) by exploiting the beauty and strength of the symmetry invariant restrictions on the (anti-)chiral superfields. The above off-shell nilpotent symmetries are the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST), anti-BRST and (anti-)co-BRST transformations which turn up beautifully due to the (anti-)BRST and (anti-)co-BRST invariant restrictions on the (anti-)chiral superfields that are defined on the (4, 1)-dimensional (anti-)chiral super-submanifolds of the general…
Superfield constraints were often used in the past, in particular to describe the Akulov-Volkov action of the goldstino by a superfield formulation with $L=(Φ^\dagger Φ)_D + [(fΦ)_F + h.c.]$ endowed with the nilpotent constraint $Φ^2=0$ for the goldstino superfield ($Φ$). Inspired by this, such constraint is often used to define the goldstino superfield even in the presence of additional superfields, for example in models of "nilpotent inflation". In this review we show that the nilpotent property is not valid in general, under the assumption of a microscopic (ultraviolet) description of the t…
We exploit the key concepts of the augmented version of superfield approach to Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism to derive the superspace (SUSP) dual unitary operator (and its Hermitian conjugate) and demonstrate their utility in the derivation of the nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting (anti-)dual BRST symmetry transformations for a set of interesting models of the Abelian 1-form gauge theories. These models are the one (0+1)-dimensional (1D) rigid rotor, modified versions of the two (1+1)-dimensional (2D) Proca as well as anomalous gauge theories and 2D model of a self-dual boson…
We exploit the beauty and strength of the symmetry invariant restrictions on the (anti-)chiral superfields to derive the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST), anti-BRST and (anti-)co-BRST symmetry transformations in the case of a two (1+1)-dimensional (2D) self-dual chiral bosonic field theory within the framework of augmented (anti-)chiral superfield formalism. Our 2D ordinary theory is generalized onto a (2, 2)-dimensional supermanifold which is parameterized by the superspace variable Z^M = (x^μ, θ, \barθ) where x^μ(with μ= 0, 1) are the ordinary 2D bosonic coordinates and (θ,\, \barθ) are a pa…
We derive the complete set of off-shell nilpotent (s^2_{(a)b} = 0) and absolutely anticommuting (s_b s_{ab} + s_{ab} s_b = 0) Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) (s_b) as well as anti-BRST symmetry transformations (s_{ab}) corresponding to the combined Yang-Mills and non-Yang-Mills symmetries of the (2 + 1)-dimensional Jackiw-Pi model within the framework of augmented superfield formalism. The absolute anticommutativity of the (anti-)BRST symmetries is ensured by the existence of two sets of Curci-Ferrari (CF) type of conditions which emerge naturally in this formalism. The presence of CF conditi…
We interpret superfields in a functorial formalism that explains the properties that are assumed for them in the physical applications. The starting point of this research was the need to understand in a sound mathematical framework some algebraic constraints imposed on them, but it lead us to revise the very definition of superfield. The constraints that we investigate in the present work give rise to superschemes that, generically, are not regular, that is, they do not define a standard supermanifold.
We derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry transformations, corresponding to the (1-form) Yang-Mills (YM) and (2-form) tensorial gauge symmetries of the four (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) Freedman-Townsend (FT) model, by exploiting the augmented version of Bonora-Tonin's (BT) superfield approach to BRST formalism where the 4D flat Minkowskian theory is generalized onto the (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold. One of the novel observations is the fact that we are theoretically compelled to go beyond the horizontality condition …
In the available literature, only the Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) symmetries are known for the Jackiw-Pi model of the three (2 + 1)-dimensional (3D) massive non-Abelian gauge theory. We derive the off-shell nilpotent (s_{(a)b}^2 = 0) and absolutely anticommuting (s_b \,s_{ab} + s_{ab}\, s_b = 0) (anti-)BRST transformations s_{(a)b} corresponding to the usual Yang-Mills gauge transformations of this model by exploiting the "augmented" superfield formalism where the horizontality condition and gauge invariant restrictions blend together in a meaningful manner. There is a non-Yang-Mills (NYM…
We derive the general supertrace formula for a system with $N$ chiral superfields and one nilpotent chiral superfield in global and local supersymmetry. The nilpotent multiplet is realized by taking the scalar-decoupling limit of a chiral superfield breaking supersymmetry spontaneously. As we show, however, the modified formula is not simply related to the scalar-decoupling limit of the supertrace in linearly-realized supersymmetry. We also show that the supertrace formula reduces to that of a linearly realized supersymmetric theory with a decoupled sGoldstino if the Goldstino is the fermion i…
We exploit the techniques of Bonora-Tonin superfield formalism to derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting (anti-)BRST as well as (anti-)co-BRST symmetry transformations for the (1+1)-dimensional (2D) bosonized vector Schwinger model. In the derivation of above symmetries, we invoke the (dual)-horizontality conditions as well as gauge and (anti-)co-BRST invariant restrictions on the superfields that are defined onto the (2, 2)-dimensional supermanifold. We provide geometrical interpretation of the above nilpotent symmetries (and their corresponding charges). We also express …
We derive the off-shell nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations by exploiting the (anti-)chiral superfield approach (ACSA) to Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism for the four (3+1)-dimensional (4D) St$\ddot{u}$ckelberg-modified massive Abelian 2-form gauge theory. We perform exactly similar kind of exercise for the derivation of the off-shell nilpotent (anti-)co-BRST symmetry transformations, too. In the above derivations, the symmetry invariant restrictions on the superfields play very important and decisive roles. To prove the sanctity of the above nilpotent symmetries, we gene…
We derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for any arbitrary D-dimensional St$\ddot u$ckelberg-modified massive Abelian 3-form theory within the framework of augmented version of superfield approach (AVSA) to Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism where, in addition to the horizontality condition (HC), we exploit the theoretical strength of the gauge invariant restriction (GIR) to deduce the proper transformations for the gauge, associated (anti-)ghost fields, auxiliary fields, St$\ddot u$ckelberg compensating field, etc. In fact, it…
We complete the four-dimensional ${\cal N}=1$ superfield description of six-dimensional supergravity. The missing ingredients in the previous works are the superfields that contain the sechsbein $e_4^{\;\;\underlineν}$, $e_5^{\;\;\underlineν}$, $e_μ^{\;\;\underline{4}}$, $e_μ^{\;\;\underline{5}}$ and the second gravitino. They are necessary to make the action invariant under the diffeomorphisms and the Lorentz transformations involving the extra dimensions. We find the corresponding superfield transformation laws, and show the invariance of the action under them. We also check that the resulta…
Recently it was found that a broad class of existing inflationary models based on supergravity can be significantly simplified if some of the standard, unconstrained chiral superfields are replaced by nilpotent superfields, associated with Volkov-Akulov supersymmetry. The same method allows to simplify the existing models of uplifting of AdS vacua in string theory. In this paper we will show that one can go well beyond simplifying the models that already exist. We will propose a broad class of new models of chaotic inflation based on supergravity with nilpotent superfields, which simultaneousl…
Recent progress in understanding de Sitter spacetime in supergravity and string theory has led to the development of a four dimensional supergravity with spontaneously broken supersymmetry allowing for de Sitter vacua, also called de Sitter supergravity. One approach makes use of constrained (nilpotent) superfields, while an alternative one couples supergravity to a locally supersymmetric generalization of the Volkov-Akulov goldstino action. These two approaches have been shown to give rise to the same 4D action. A novel approach to de Sitter vacua in supergravity involves the generalisation o…
We study the arguments given in [1] which suggest that the uplifting procedure in the KKLT construction is not valid. First we show that the modification of the SUSY breaking sector of the nilpotent superfield, as proposed in [1], is not consistent with non-linearly realized local supersymmetry of de Sitter supergravity. Keeping this issue aside, we also show that the corresponding bosonic potential does actually describe de Sitter uplifting.
Recently, a nilpotent real scalar superfield $V$ was introduced in arXiv:1702.02423 as a model for the Goldstino. It contains only two independent component fields, the Goldstino and the auxiliary $D$-field. Here we first show that $V$ can equivalently be realised as a constrained three-form superfield. We demonstrate that every irreducible Goldstino superfield (of which the Goldstino is the only independent component field) can be realised as a descendant of $V$ which is invariant under local rescalings $V \to {\rm e}^τV$, where $τ$ is an arbitrary real scalar superfield. We next propose a ne…
We describe in detail how the spectrum of a single anti-D3-brane in four-dimensional orientifolded IIB string models reproduces precisely the field content of a nilpotent chiral superfield with the only physical component corresponding to the fermionic goldstino. In particular we explicitly consider a single anti-D3-brane on top of an O3-plane in warped throats, induced by $(2,1)$ fluxes. More general systems including several anti-branes and other orientifold planes are also discussed. This provides further evidence to the claim that non-linearly realized supersymmetry due to the presence of …
We study the application of a supersymmetric model with two constrained supermultiplets to inflationary cosmology. The first superfield S is a stabilizer chiral superfield satisfying a nilpotency condition of degree 2, S^2=0. The second superfield Phi is the inflaton chiral superfield, which can be combined into a real superfield B=(Phi-Phi*)/2i. The real superfield B is orthogonal to S, S B=0, and satisfies a nilpotency condition of degree 3, B^3=0. We show that these constraints remove from the spectrum the complex scalar sgoldstino, the real scalar inflaton partner (i.e. the "sinflaton"), a…
In this paper we study the gauge invariance of the third quantized super-group field cosmology which is a model for multiverse. Further, we propose both the nfinitesimal (usual) as well as the finite superfield-dependent BRST symmetry transformations which leave the effective theory invariant. The effects of finite superfield-dependent BRST transformations on the path integral (so-called void functional in the case of third quantization) are implemented. Within the finite superfield-dependent BRST formulation, the finite superfield-dependent BRST transformations with specific parameter switch …
We provide an alternative to the gauge covariant horizontality condition which is responsible for the derivation of the nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetry transformations for the gauge and (anti-)ghost fields of a (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) interacting 1-form non-Abelian gauge theory in the framework of the usual superfield approach to Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) formalism. The above covariant horizontality condition is replaced by a gauge invariant restriction on the (4, 2)-dimensional supermanifold, parameterized by a set of four spacetime coordinates x^μ(μ= 0, 1, 2, 3) and a pair of Grassman…
We derive the off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) as well as anti-BRST transformations s_{(a)b} corresponding to the Yang-Mills gauge transformations of 3D Jackiw-Pi model by exploiting the "augmented" superfield formalism. We also show that the Curci-Ferrari restriction, which is a hallmark of any non-Abelian 1-form gauge theories, emerges naturally within this formalism and plays an instrumental role in providing the proof of absolute anticommutativity of s_{(a)b}.
We discuss N=1 supergravity inflationary models based on two chiral multiplets, the inflaton and the goldstino superfield. Using superconformal methods for these models, we propose to replace the unconstrained chiral goldstino multiplet by the nilpotent one associated with non-linearly realized supersymmetry of the Volkov-Akulov type. In the new cosmological models, the sgoldstino is proportional to a bilinear combination of fermionic goldstinos. It does not acquire any vev, does nor require stabilization, and does not affect the cosmological evolution. We explain a universal relation of these…
