We study the one-loop quantum corrections for higher-derivative superfield theories, generalizing the approach for calculating the superfield effective potential. In particular, we calculate the effective potential for two versions of higher-derivative chiral superfield models. We point out that the equivalence of the higher-derivative theory for the chiral superfield and the one without higher derivatives but with an extended number of chiral superfields occurs only when the mass term is contained in the general Lagrangian. The presence of divergences can be taken as an indication of this equivalence.
For a three-dimensional higher-derivative scalar superfield model, and a four-dimensional higher-derivative chiral superfield model, where which the higher-derivative operators are described by polynomials of arbitrary degrees, we explicitly calculate the two-loop effective potential.
We formulate a generic three-dimensional higher-derivative superfield theory for self-interacting scalar superfield action. We consider the cases of real and complex scalar superfields. For these theories, we explicitly calculate the one-loop effective potential.
We formulate a generic three-dimensional superfield higher-derivative gauge theory coupled to the matter, which, in certain cases reduces to the three-dimensional scalar super-QED, or supersymmetric Maxwell-Chern-Simons or Chern-Simons theories with matter. For this theory, we explicitly calculate the one-loop effective potential.
We explicitly calculate the one-loop effective potential for a higher-derivative four-dimensional chiral superfield theory with a nonconventional kinetic term. We consider the cases of minimal and nonminimal general Lagrangians. In particular, we find that in the minimal case the divergent part of the one-loop effective potential vanishes by reason of the chirality.
A superfield version on superspace $(x^μ,θ^a)$ is proposed for the $Sp(2)$-- covariant Lagrangian quantization of general gauge theories. The BRST- and antiBRST- transformations are realized on superfields as supertranslations in the $θ^a$-- directions. A new (geometric) interpretation of the Ward identities in the quantum gauge theory is given.
Recently, Batalin and Marnelius proposed a superfield algorithm for master actions in the BV-formulation for a class of first order gauge field theories. Possible theories are determined by a ghost number prescription and a simple local master equation. We investigate consistent solutions of these local master equations with emphasis on four and six dimensional theories.
We propose an algorithm for the construction of higher order gauge field theories from a superfield formulation within the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism. This is a generalization of the superfield algorithm recently considered by Batalin and Marnelius. This generalization seems to allow for non-topological gauge field theories as well as alternative representations of topological ones. A five dimensional non-abelian Chern-Simons theory and a topological Yang-Mills theory are treated as examples.
We develop a superfield formulation of gauge and matter field theories on a two-dimensional sphere with rigid N=(2,2) as well as extended supersymmetry. The construction is based on a supercoset SU(2|1)/[U(1) x U(1)] containing $S^2$ as the bosonic subspace. We derive an explicit form of supervielbein and covariant derivatives on this coset, and use them to construct classical superfield actions for gauge and matter supermultiplets in this superbackground. We then apply superfield methods for computing one-loop partition functions of these theories and demonstrate how the localization techniqu…
We analyze the dynamics of a general two-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(2,2)$ gauged linear sigma model with semichiral superfields. By computing the elliptic genera, we study the vacuum structure of the model. The result coincides with the model without using semichiral superfields. We also show that the low energy effective twisted superpotential contributed by semichiral superfields vanishes, whether we turn on twisted masses or not.
We consider the superfield formulation of supersymmetric gauge and matter field theories on a three-dimensional sphere with rigid ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetry, as well as with ${\cal N}> 2$. The construction is based on a supercoset $SU(2|1)/U(1)$ containing $S^3$ as the bosonic subspace. We derive an explicit form of $SU(2|1)/U(1)$ supervielbein and covariant derivatives, and use them to construct classical superfield actions for gauge and matter supermultiplets in this superbackground. We then apply superfield methods for computing one-loop partition functions of these theories and demonstrate…
The rules for superfield Lagrangian quantization method for general gauge theories on a basis of their generalization to special superfield models within a so-called $θ$-superfield theory of fields ($θ$-STF) are formulated. The $θ$-superfield generating functionals of Green's functions together with effective action are constructed. Their properties including new interpretation and superfield realization of BRST transformations, Ward identities are studied.
A superfield algorithm for master actions of a class of gauge field theories including topological ones in arbitrary dimensions is presented generalizing a previous treatment in two dimensions. General forms for master actions in superspace are given, and possible theories are determined by means of a ghost number prescription and the master equations. The resulting master actions determine the original actions together with their gauge invariances. Generalized Poisson sigma models in arbitrary dimensions are constructed by means of this algorithm, and other applications in low dimensions are …
We present the explicit superfield realizations of the hidden $SU(4)$ and $O(5)$ $R$-symmetries in $4D, {\cal N}=4$ and $5D, {\cal N}=2$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories in the harmonic superspace approach. The $R$-symmetry transformations are constructed and their algebraic structure is studied. It is shown that such transformations are consistent with both manifest and hidden supersymmetry transformations. These symmetries can serve as an alternative tool for constructing the relevant complete low-energy superfield effective actions determined earlier from the hidden supersymmetry consider…
We consider the general ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theory with matter, regularized by higher covariant derivatives without breaking the BRST invariance, in the massless limit. In the $ξ$-gauge we obtain the (unrenormalized) expression for the two-point Green function of the quantum gauge superfield in the one-loop approximation as a sum of integrals over the loop momentum. The result is presented as a sum of three parts: the first one corresponds to the pure supersymmetric Yang--Mills theory in the Feynman gauge, the second one contains all gauge dependent terms, and the third one is th…
Some of the key cohomological features of the two $(1+1)$-dimensional (2D) free Abelian- and self-interacting non-Abelian gauge theories (having no interaction with matter fields) are briefly discussed first in the language of symmetry properties of the Lagrangian densities and the same issues are subsequently addressed in the framework of superfield formulation on the four ($2 + 2)$-dimensional supermanifold. Special emphasis is laid on the on-shell- and off-shell nilpotent (co-)BRST symmetries that emerge after the application of (dual) horizontality conditions on the supermanifold. The (ant…
A superfield formulation is presented of the central charge anomaly in quantum corrections to solitons in two-dimensional theories with N=1 supersymmetry. Extensive use is made of the superfield supercurrent, that places the supercurrent J^{mu}_{alpha}, energy-momentum tensor Theta^{mu nu} and topological current zeta^{mu} in a supermultiplet, to study the structure of supersymmetry and related superconformal symmetry in the presence of solitons. It is shown that the supermultiplet structure of (J^{mu}_{alpha}, Theta^{mu nu}, zeta^{mu}) is kept exact while the topological current zeta^μ acquir…
A general solution of the Batalin-Vilkovisky master equation was formulated in terms of generalized fields. Recently, a superfields approach of obtaining solutions of the Batalin-Vilkovisky master equation is also established. Superfields formalism is usually applied to topological quantum field theories. However, generalized fields method is suitable to find solutions of the Batalin-Vilkovisky master equation either for topological quantum field theories or the usual gauge theories like Yang-Mills theory. We show that by truncating some components of superfields with appropriate actions, gene…
We capture the off-shell as well as the on-shell nilpotent Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) and anti-BRST symmetry invariance of the Lagrangian densities of the four (3 + 1)-dimensional (4D) (non-)Abelian 1-form gauge theories within the framework of the superfield formalism. In particular, we provide the geometrical interpretations for (i) the above nilpotent symmetry invariance, and (ii) the above Lagrangian densities, in the language of the specific quantities defined in the domain of the above superfield formalism. Some of the subtle points, connected with the 4D (non-)Abelian 1-form gauge…
Within the superfield approach, we consider the duality between the supersymmetric Maxwell-Chern-Simons and self-dual theories in three spacetime dimensions. Using a gauge embedding method, we construct the dual theory to the self-dual model interacting with a matter superfield, which turns out to be not the Maxwell-Chern-Simons theory coupled to matter, but a more complicated model, with a ``restricted'' gauge invariance. We stress the difficulties in dualizing the self-dual field coupled to matter into a theory with complete gauge invariance. After that, we show that the duality, achieved be…
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 study higher--derivative supergravity with curvature squared terms in different bases. Performing a Weyl rescaling only on the metric or on all the superfield components does not allow to obtain a normalized kinetic Einstein term from a $\cR+\cR^2$ theory. It is necessary to combine a Legendre transformation and a Weyl rescaling on a $\cR+\cR^2$ theory to arrive at a theory of supergravity coupled to matter. This mechanism is applied to supergravity coupled to a general function $k(R,\BR,Φ,\barΦ)$, where $R$ is one of the supergravity chiral superfields and $Φ$ a chiral matter superfield.
We construct effective supergravity theories from customized constrained superfields which provide a setup consistent both for the description of inflation and the subsequent reheating processes. These theories contain the minimum degrees of freedom in the bosonic sector required for single-field inflation.
The manifestly supersymmetric pure spinor formulations of the Bagger-Lambert-Gustavsson models with N=8 supersymmetry and the Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena models with N=6 supersymmetry are given. The structures of the pure spinors are investigated in both cases, and non-degenerate measures are formed using non-minimal sets of variables, allowing for the formulation of an action principle.
We formulate the equations which determine a potential function in an $\mathcal{N}=1$ higher derivative supersymmetric mechanics compatible with the $osp(2|1)\oplus so(d)$ symmetry and provide a few explicit examples.
In this paper we fill a necessary gap in order to realize the explicit comparison between the Kaluza Klein spectra of supergravity compactified on AdS_4 x X^7 and superconformal field theories living on the world volume of M2-branes. On the algebraic side we consider the superalgebra Osp(N|4) and we study the double interpretation of its irreducible representations either as supermultiplets of particle states in the bulk or as conformal superfields on the boundary. On the lagrangian field theory side we construct, using rheonomy rather than superfield techniques, the generic form of an N=2, d=…
The mirror map in the D=3, N=4 supersymmetry connects the left and right SU(2) automorphism groups and also the superfield representations of the corresponding N=4 supermultiplets. The mirror N=4 harmonic superspaces use the harmonics of two SU(2) groups and two types of the Grassmann analyticity. The irreducible left and right N=4 supermultiplets are defined in these harmonic superspaces. We analyze the N=4 superconformal interactions of the gauge and matter superfields and the spontaneous breakdown of the superconformal symmetry. The most interesting superconformal action possesses the mirro…
The derivation of the nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetries for the matter fields, present in any arbitrary interacting gauge theory, has been an long-standing problem in the framework of superfield approach to BRST formalism. These nilpotent (anti-)BRST symmetries for the Dirac fields are derived in the superfield formulation for the interacting Abelian gauge theory in four $(3 + 1)$-dimensions (4D) of spacetime. The same type of symmetries are deduced for the 4D complex scalar fields having a gauge invariant interaction with the U(1) gauge field. The above interacting theories are considered on t…
We give the superfield quantization of chiral/nonminimal (CNM) scalar multiplets defined by pairs of N=1 chiral and complex linear scalar superfields kinematically coupled. In the pure massive case we develop the covariant quantization when CNM multiplets are coupled to background gauge superfields. Furthermore, we study some properties of N=1 supersymmetric Yang--Mills theories constructed using CNM scalar matter superfields. In particular, we compute the one--loop contribution to the effective action for the matter superfields, we study the analogue of the Konishi anomaly and discuss some pr…
This article, which is a review with substantial original material, is meant to offer a comprehensive description of the superfield representations of the BRST and anti-BRST algebras and their applications to some field-theoretic topics. After a review of the superfield formalism for gauge theories we present the same formalism for gerbes and diffeomorphism invariant theories. The application to diffeomorphisms leads, in particular, to a horizontal Riemannian geometry in the superspace. We then illustrate the application to the description of consistent gauge anomalies and Wess-Zumino terms, f…
We study the non-linear structure of Type IIB eight-derivative couplings involving the metric and the complexified three-form $G_3$. We show that, at the level of five-point string amplitudes, the kinematics in the maximally R-symmetry-violating sector is fully matched by standard superspace integrals and by superparticle amplitudes in M-theory on a two-torus. The latter approach is used to determine the complete effective action in this sector and to verify its invariance under SL$(2,\mathbb{Z})$ duality. We further comment on the general structure of the higher-point kinematics. Compactifica…
We describe a diagrammatic procedure to carry out the Grassmann integration in super-Feynman diagrams of 4d theories expressed in terms of $\mathcal{N}=1$ superfields. This method is alternative to the well known $D$-algebra approach. We develop it in detail for theories containing vector, chiral and anti-chiral superfields, with the type of interactions which occur in $\mathcal{N}=2$ SYM theories with massless matter, but it would be possible to extend it to other cases. The main advantage is that this method is algorithmic; we implemented it as a Mathematica program that, given the descripti…
Effective superpotentials are considered which include glueball chiral superfields among their arguments in supersymmetric gauge theories. It is seen that the accommodation of glueball superfields is suitable for their complete determination.
We study the problem of decoupling of heavy chiral superfields in four-dimensional $N=1$ supersymmetric field theories with Lorentz-invariant and Lorentz-violating higher-derivative terms. We demonstrate that the earlier found effect of large logarithmic quantum corrections, due to heavy chiral superfields, takes place not only if the theory possesses quantum divergences, but also for essentially finite theories involving higher derivative terms, both Lorentz-invariant and Lorentz-breaking ones.
We study theories of 4D, N=1 supersymmetric massless, arbitrary integer superspins. A new state-of-the art is being established by the discovery of a new series of such theories for arbitrary superspin Y (Y=s for any integer s) The lowest member of the series is surprisingly found to be a previously established formulation of the spin (3/2, 1) supermultiplet.
We study theories of 4D, N=1 supersymmetric massless, arbitrary higher half odd-integer superspins. A new series of such theories is found to exist for arbitrary superspin Y (Y=s+1/2 for any integer s). The lowest member (s=1) of the series is the original off-shell formulation of 4D, N=1 supergravity first presented by Breitenlohner in 1977.
In [arXiv:0808.1677] 3 dimensional field theories are proposed to on-shell represent N=8 SUSY algebra and SO(7) or SO(4)xSO(4) subgroups of full SO(8) automorphism. They are theories of 8 scalar and 8 spinor matrix fields with Yukawa, quartic and sextic self-interactions. This note is devoted to superfield and off-shell formulation of the theory. Scalar superfields are proposed to represent scalar supermultiplets. A renormalizable action with quadratic and quartic self-interactions is proposed to govern their dynamics.
We derive the low-energy effective theory on the BPS domain wall in 4D N=1 global SUSY theories in terms of the 3D superfields. Our derivation makes the preserved SUSY by the wall manifest and the procedure for integrating out the massive modes easier. Our procedure clarifies how the 3D superfields are embedded into the 4D chiral and vector superfields. We also point out a shortcoming of the conventional procedure for deriving the effective theory on the wall.
We present a method for introducing and analysing higher-derivative deformations of maximally supersymmetric field theories. Such terms are built in the pure spinor superfield framework, using a set of operators representing physical fields. The action for abelian Born-Infeld theory becomes polynomial in this language, and contains only a four-point interaction in addition to the free action. Simplifications also occur in the non-abelian case.
We describe a Lagrangian quantization of the free massless gauge superfield theories of higher superspins both in the anti-de Sitter and flat global superspaces.
We present the exact effective superpotentials in $4d$, $N=1$ supersymmetric $SU(2)$ gauge theories with $N_3$ triplets and $N_2$ doublets of matter superfields. For the theories with a single triplet matter superfield we present the exact gauge couplings for arbitrary bare masses and Yukawa couplings.
We present an N=1 superfield formulation of supersymmetric gauge theories with a compact extra dimension. The formulation incorporates the radion superfield and allows to write supersymmetric theories on warped gravitational backgrounds. We apply it to study the breaking of supersymmetry by the F-term of the radion, and show that, for flat extra dimensions, this leads to the same mass spectrum as in Scherk-Schwarz models of supersymmetry breaking. We also consider scenarios where supersymmetry is broken on a boundary of a warped extra dimension and compare them with anomaly mediated models.
We apply the functional renormalization group approach to a $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge model with one chiral superfield coupled to a vector $U(1)$ superfield. We find that the nonrenormalization theorem still works at leading order in the supercovariant derivative expansion of the fields. We also find the beta functions and we study the behavior of its fixed points in the local potential approximation. Regulators are also discussed.
We construct a new version of the higher covariant derivative regularization for a general ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetric gauge theory formulated in terms of ${\cal N}=1$ superfields. This regularization preserves both supersymmetries of the classical action, namely, the invariance under the manifest ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetry and under the second hidden on-shell supersymmetry. The regularizing ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetric higher derivative term is found in the explicit form in terms of ${\cal N}=1$ superfields. Thus, ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetry is broken only by the gauge fixing procedure. Then we…
We study a problem of systematical evaluation of the quantum corrections for general 4D supersymmetric Kähler sigma models with chiral and antichiral superpotentials. Using manifestly reparametrization covariant techniques (the background-quantum splitting and proper-time representation) in the ${\cal N}=1$ superspace we show how to define unambiguously the one-loop effective action. We introduce the reparametrization covariant derivatives acting on superfields and prove that their algebra is analogous to algebra in super Yang-Mills (SYM) theory. This analogy allows us to use for evaluation of…
A general formalism to construct and improve supercurrents and source or anomaly superfields in two-derivative N=1 supersymmetric theories is presented. It includes arbitrary gauge and chiral superfields and a linear superfield coupled to gauge fields. These families of supercurrent structures are characterized by their energy-momentum tensors and R currents and they display a specific relation to the dilatation current of the theory. The linear superfield is introduced in order to describe the gauge coupling as a background (or propagating) field. Supersymmetry does not constrain the dependen…
We present the superfield generalization of free higher spin equations in tensorial superspaces and analyze tensorial supergravities with GL(n) and SL(n) holonomy as a possible framework for the construction of a non-linear higher spin field theory. Surprisingly enough, we find that the most general solution of the supergravity constraints is given by a class of superconformally flat and OSp(1|n)-related geometries. Because of the conformal symmetry of the supergravity constraints and of the higher spin field equations such geometries turn out to be trivial in the sense that they cannot genera…
Using the ${\cal N}=2$ superfield approach, we construct full ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetric low-energy effective actions for ${\cal N}=4$ SYM models, with both ${\cal N}=2$ gauge superfield strengths and hypermultiplet superfields included. The basic idea is to complete the known non-holomorphic effective potentials which depend only on ${\cal N}=2$ superfield strengths $W$ and ${\bar W}$ to the full on-shell ${\cal N}=4$ invariants by adding the appropriate superfield hypermultiplet terms. We prove that the effective potentials of the form ${ln} W {ln} \bar W$ can be ${\cal N} = 4$ completed in…
Lagragian quantization rules for general gauge theories are proposed on a basis of a superfield formulation of the standard BRST symmetry. Independence of the $S$-matrix on a choice of the gauge is proved. The Ward identities in terms of superfields are derived.
We explicitly prove the equivalence and construct a dictionary between two different supersymmetric formalisms for five-dimensional theories commonly used in the literature. One is the real formalism, which consists in doubling the number of degrees of freedom and then imposing reality constraints and the other is the usual superfield formalism.
The contributions of the matter superfields and of the Faddeev--Popov ghosts to the $β$-function of ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theories defined in terms of the bare couplings are calculated in all orders in the case of using the higher covariant derivative regularization. For this purpose we use the recently proved statement that the $β$-function in these theories is given by integrals of double total derivatives with respect to the loop momenta. These integrals do not vanish due to singularities of the integrands. This implies that the $β$-function beyond the one-loop approximation is …
We develop a superspace Noether procedure for supersymmetric field theories in 4-dimensions for which an off-shell formulation in ordinary superspace exists. In this way we obtain an elegant and compact derivation of the various supercurrents in these theories. We then apply this formalism to compute the central charges for a variety of effective actions. As a by-product we also obtain a simple derivation of the anomalous superconformal Ward-identity in N=2 Yang-Mills theory. The connection with linearized supergravity is also discussed.
We develop the superfield background field method and study the effective action in the N=2, d3 supersymmetric Chern-Simons-matter systems. The one-loop low-energy effective action for non-Abelian supersymmetric Chern-Simons theory is computed to order $F^4$ by use of N = 2 superfield heat kernel techniques.
We analyze the superfield equations of the 4-dimensional N=2 and N=4 SYM-theories using light-cone gauge conditions and the harmonic-superspace approach. The harmonic superfield equations of motion are drastically simplified in this gauge, in particular, the basic harmonic-superfield matrices and the corresponding harmonic analytic gauge connections become nilpotent on-shell.
The two-loop anomalous dimension of the chiral matter superfields is calculated for a general ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theory regularized by higher covariant derivatives. We obtain both the anomalous dimension defined in terms of the bare couplings, and the one defined in terms of the renormalized couplings for an arbitrary renormalization prescription. For the one-loop finite theories we find a simple relation between the higher derivative regulators under which the anomalous dimension defined in terms of the bare couplings vanishes in the considered approximation. In this case the o…
A ten-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theory is written in terms of N=1, D=4 superfields. The theory is dimensionally reduced over six-dimensional coset spaces. We find that the resulting four-dimensional theory is either a softly broken N=1 supersymmetric gauge theory or a non-supersymmetric gauge theory depending on whether the coset spaces used in the reduction are non-symmetric or symmetric. In both cases examples susceptible to yield realistic models are presented.
By compactifying gauge theories on a lower dimensional manifold, we often find many interesting relationships between a geometry and a supersymmetric quantum field theory. In this paper we consider conformal field theories obtained from twisted compactification on a Riemann surface with a boundary. Various kinds of supersymmetric boundary conditions are exchanged under S-duality. To consider these transformations one need to take into account boundary degrees of freedom. So we study how the degrees of freedom can be added at the boundary of the Riemann surface. In this paper I show that this i…
A perturbative non-renormalization theorem is presented that applies to general supersymmetric theories, including non-renormalizable theories in which the $\int d^2θ$ integrand is an arbitrary gauge-invariant function $F(Φ,W)$ of the chiral superfields $Φ$ and gauge field-strength superfields $W$, and the $\int d^4θ$-integrand is restricted only by gauge invariance. In the Wilsonian Lagrangian, $F(Φ,W)$ is unrenormalized except for the one-loop renormalization of the gauge coupling parameter, and Fayet-Iliopoulos terms can be renormalized only by one-loop graphs, which cancel if the sum of th…
We enlarge the usual D=3 N=1 supergraph techniques to include the case of (explicitly or spontaneously) broken supersymmetric gauge theories. To illustrate the utility of these techniques, we calculate the two-loop effective potential of the SQED3 by using the tadpole and the vacuum bubble methods. In these methods, to investigate the possibility of supersymmetry breaking, the superfields must be shifted by $θ$ dependent classical superfields (vacuum expectation values), what implies in the explicit breakdown of supersymmetry in the intermediate steps of the calculation. Nevertheless, after st…
We present for the first time a ghost-free higher-derivative chiral model with a propagating auxiliary F-term field (highest component of the chiral multiplet). We obtain this model by removing a ghost in a higher derivative chiral model, with Higgsing it in terms of an auxiliary vector superfield. Depending on the sign of the quadratic derivative term of the chiral superfield, the model contains two ghost free branches of the parameter regions. We find that supersymmetry is spontaneously broken in one branch while it is preserved in the other branch. As a consequence of dynamical F-term field…
