We study Chevalley-Eilenberg cohomology of physically relevant Lie superalgebras related to supersymmetric theories, providing explicit expressions for their cocycles in terms of their Maurer-Cartan forms. We then include integral forms in the picture by defining a notion of integral forms related to a Lie superalgebra. We develop a suitable generalization of Chevalley-Eilenberg cohomology extended to integral forms and we prove that it is isomorphic to the ordinary Chevalley-Eilenberg cohomology of the Lie superalgebra. Next we study equivariant Chevalley-Eilenberg cohomology for coset superspaces, which plays a crucial role in supergravity and superstring models. Again, we treat explicitly several examples, providing cocycles' expressions and revealing a characteristic infinite dimensional cohomology.
A Vogan superdiagram is a set of involution and painting on a Dynkin diagram. It selects a real form, or equivalently an involution, from a complex simple Lie superalgebra. We introduce the double Vogan superdiagram, which is two sets of Vogan superdiagrams superimposed on an affine Dynkin diagram. They correspond to pairs of commuting involutions on complex simple Lie superalgebras, and therefore provide an independent classification of the simple locally symmetric or symmetric superpairs.
A Schroedinger type equation on the superspace R^{D|2n} is studied, which involves a potential inversely proportional to the negative of the osp(D|2n) invariant "distance" away from the origin. An osp(2,D+1|2n) dynamical supersymmetry for the system is explicitly constructed, and the bound states of the system are shown to form an irreducible highest weight module for this superalgebra. A thorough understanding of the structure of the irreducible module is obtained. This in particular enables the determination of the energy eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenspaces as well as their respect…
We present a large class of supersymmetric classical r-matrices, describing the supertwist deformations of Poincare and Euclidean superalgebras. We consider in detail new family of four supertwists of N=1 Poincare superalgebra and provide as well their Euclidean counterpart. The proposed supertwists are better adjusted to the description of deformed D=4 Euclidean supersymmetries with independent left-chiral and right-chiral supercharges. They lead to new quantum superspaces, obtained by the superextension of twist deformations of spacetime providing Lie-algebraic noncommutativity of space-time…
We derive massless and massive representations of all SU(2,2/N) superalgebras by using superfields defined in "harmonic superspace". This method allows one to easily construct "short superfields" which are relevant in the analysis of the AdS/CFT correspondence.
We present here a cohomological analysis of the new spacetime superalgebras that arise in the context of superbrane theory. They lead to enlarged superspaces that allow us to write D-brane actions in terms of fields associated with the additional superspace variables. This suggests that there is an extended superspace/worldvolume fields democracy for superbranes.
The algebra of the generators of translations in superspace is unstable, in the sense that infinitesimal perturbations of its structure constants lead to non-isomorphic algebras. We show how superspace extensions remedy this situation (after arguing that remedy is indeed needed) and review the benefits reaped in the description of branes of all kinds in the presence of the extra dimensions.
The relativistic Lorentz-covariant quantum space-times obtained by Snyder can be described by the coset generators of (anti) de-Sitter algebras. Similarly, the Lorentz-covariant quantum phase spaces introduced by Yang, which contain additionally quantum curved fourmomenta and quantum-deformed relativistic Heisenberg algebra, can be defined by suitably chosen coset generators of conformal algebras. We extend such algebraic construction to the respective superalgebras, which provide quantum Lorentz-covariant superspaces (SUSY Snyder model) and indicate also how to obtain the quantum relativistic…
The double-spinor formalism, proposed by Aisaka and Kazama, provides a basis for the pure-spinor formalism, which allows manifestly super-Poincare covariant quantization of superstrings. We extend it to the case of backgrounds realized by coset superspaces. A general method constructing reparametrization invariant action is given using two concrete examples, the flat space-time and AdS(5)xS(5). We find that it is natural to double not only the spinor coordinates but the whole superspace for describing double-spinor superstrings on such backgrounds. The reparametrization invariant action has lo…
We consider superstring sigma models that are based on coset superspaces G/H in which H arises as the fixed point set of an order-4 automorphism of G. We show by means of twistor theory that the corresponding first-order system, consisting of the Maurer-Cartan equations and the equations of motion, arises from a dimensional reduction of some generalised self-dual Yang-Mills equations in eight dimensions. Such a relationship might help shed light on the explicit construction of solutions to the superstring equations including their hidden symmetry structures and thus on the properties of their …
The nature of $κ$-symmmetry transformations is examined for p-branes embedded in a class of coset superspaces G/H, where G is an appropriate supergroup and H is the Lorentz subgroup. It is shown that one of the conditions $δZ^M E_M{}^a = 0$ which characterizes $κ$-symmetry transformations arises very naturally if they are implemented in terms of a right action of a subgroup of the supergroup G on the supergroup elements which represent the coset. Unlike the global left action of G on G/H (which gives rise to supersymmetry on the coset superspace), there is no canonically defined right action o…
A study of the superconformal covariantization of superdifferential operators defined on $(1|1)$ superspace is presented. It is shown that a superdifferential operator with a particular type of constraint can be covariantized only when it is of odd order. In such a case, the action of superconformal transformation on the superdifferential operator is nothing but a hamiltonian flow defined by the corresponding supersymmetric second Gelfand-Dickey bracket. The covariant form of a superdifferential operator of odd order is given.
How to gauge fix $\k$-symmetry for the super 0-brane action on $AdS_2 \times S^2$ in Killing gauge properly is discussed in order to find the superconformal mechanics which describes super 0-brane probes moving on $AdS_2 \times S^2$. The dependence on the coordinate frame for the proper Killing gauge is considered and the subtleties of gauge-fixing $\k$-symmetry in Killing gauge are analysed explicitly. It is found that the Killing gauge works indeed without the imcompatibility if the magnetic charge of the super 0-brane is nonzero.
We present the theory describing supersymmetrical vortices in the curved superspace of the (1,0) supergravity. The action is defined as a (1,0) locally supersymmetric $SU(2)/U(1)$ coset perturbed by the cosmological constant-like term. The perturbation is such that it preserves the integrability of the coset model. Because of supersymmetry the perturbed theory is an exact quantum system provided a proper dilaton is taken into account. The exact value of the dilaton is determined in the supersymmetric case by the quasi-classical background of the bosonic coset.
We describe several families of non-unitary coset conformal field theories that possess truly marginal couplings. These generalize the known examples of Wess-Zumino-Witten models on supergroups such as PSU(n|n) or OSP(2n+2|2n). Our extension includes coset space sigma models, affine Toda theories or Gross-Neveu models which are believed to arise in certain limits.
We construct N=2 affine current algebras for the superalgebras sl(n|n-1)^{(1)} in terms of N=2 supercurrents subjected to nonlinear constraints and discuss the general procedure of the hamiltonian reduction in N=2 superspace at the classical level. We consider in detail the simplest case of N=2 sl(2|1)^{(1)} and show how N=2 superconformal algebra in N=2 superspace follows via the hamiltonian reduction. Applying the hamiltonian reduction to the case of N=2 sl(3|2)^{(1)}, we find two new extended N=2 superconformal algebras in a manifestly supersymmetric N=2 superfield form. Decoupling of four …
Recently the quantum hamiltonian reduction was done in the case of general $s\ell(2)$ embeddings into Lie algebras and superalgebras. In this paper we extend the results to the quantum hamiltonian reduction of $N=1$ affine Lie superalgebras in the superspace formalism. We show that if we choose a gauge for the supersymmetry, and consider only certain equivalence classes of fields, then our quantum hamiltonian reduction reduces to quantum hamiltonian reduction of non-supersymmetric Lie superalgebras. We construct explicitly the super energy-momentum tensor, as well as all generators of spin 1 (…
Superalgebras including generators having spins up to two and realisable as tangent vector fields on Lorentz covariant generalised superspaces are considered. The latter have a representation content reminiscent of configuration spaces of (super)gravity theories. The most general canonical supercommutation relations for the corresponding phase space coordinates allowed by Lorentz covariance are discussed. By including generators transforming according to every Lorentz representation having spin up to two, we obtain, from the super Jacobi identities, the complete set of quadratic equations for …
The Fock space of bosons and fermions and its underlying superalgebra are represented by algebras of functions on a superspace. We define Gaussian integration on infinite dimensional superspaces, and construct superanalogs of the classical function spaces with a reproducing kernel -- including the Bargmann-Fock representation -- and of the Wiener-Segal representation. The latter representation requires the investigation of Wick ordering on Z2-graded algebras. As application we derive a Mehler formula for the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck semigroup on the Fock space.
Higher-derivative terms in the string and M-theory effective actions are strongly constrained by supersymmetry. Using a mixture of techniques, involving both string amplitude calculations and an analysis of supersymmetry requirements, we determine the supersymmetric completion of the R^4 action in eleven dimensions to second order in the fermions, in a form compact enough for explicit further calculations. Using these results, we obtain the modifications to the field transformation rules and determine the resulting field-dependent modifications to the coefficients in the supersymmetry algebra.…
We show that the coset ^sl(2)+^sl(2)/^sl(2) is a quantum Hamiltonian reduction of the exceptional affine Lie superalgebra ^D(2|1;α) and that the corresponding W algebra is the commutant of the U_{q}D(2|1;α) quantum group.
We classify $N{=}1$ $d=4$ kinematical and aristotelian Lie superalgebras with spatial isotropy, but not necessarily parity nor time-reversal invariance. Employing a quaternionic formalism which makes rotational covariance manifest and simplifies many of the calculations, we find a list of $43$ isomorphism classes of Lie superalgebras, some with parameters, whose (nontrivial) central extensions are also determined. We then classify their corresponding simply-connected homogeneous $(4|4)$-dimensional superspaces, resulting in a list of $27$ homogeneous superspaces, some with parameters, all of w…
We prove Feigin-Frenkel type dualities between subregular W-algebras of type A, B and principal W-superalgebras of type $\mathfrak{sl}(1|n), \mathfrak{osp}(2|2n)$. The type A case proves a conjecture of Feigin and Semikhatov. Let $(\mathfrak{g}_1,\mathfrak{g}_2) = (\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1},\mathfrak{sl}(1|n+1))$ or $(\mathfrak{so}_{2n+1}, \mathfrak{osp}(2|2n))$ and let $r$ be the lacity of $\mathfrak{g}_1$. Let k be a complex number and $\ell$ defined by $r(k+h^\vee_1)(\ell+h^\vee_2)=1$ with $h^\vee_i$ the dual Coxeter numbers of the $\mathfrak g_i$. Our first main result is that the Heisenberg cos…
As a step towards formulating projective superspace techniques for supergravity theories with eight supercharges, this work is devoted to field theory in five-dimensional N = 1 anti-de Sitter superspace AdS^{5|8} = SU(2,2|1)/SO(4,1) x U(1) which is a maximally symmetric curved background. We develop the differential geometry of AdS^{5|8} and describe its isometries in terms of Killing supervectors. Various off-shell supermultiplets in AdS^{5|8} x S^2 are defined, and supersymmetric actions are constructed both in harmonic and projective superspace approaches. Several families of supersymmetric…
Massive arbitrary spin supermultiplets and massless (scalar and spin one-half) supermultiplets of the N=2 Poincare superalgebra in three-dimensional flat space are considered. Both the integer spin and half-integer spin supermultiplets are studied. For such massive and massless supermultiplets, a formulation in terms of light-cone gauge unconstrained superfields defined in a momentum superspace is developed. For the supermultiplets under consideration a superspace first derivative representation for all cubic interaction vertices is obtained. A superspace representation for dynamical generator…
We discuss the $N=2$ super $W$ algebras from the hamiltonian reduction of affine Lie superalgebras $A(n|n-1)^{(1)}$ and $A(n|n)^{(1)}$. From the quantum hamiltonian reduction of $A(n|n-1)^{(1)}$ we get the free field realization of $N=2$ $CP_{n}$ super coset models. In the case of the affine Lie superalgebras $A(n|n)^{(1)}$, the corresponding conformal field theories do not have $N=2$ superconformal symmetry. However we show that these models are twisted $N=2$ $CP_{n}$ models and may be regarded as topological conformal field theories. (Talk presented at the International Workshop on "String T…
A superspace formulation is proposed for the osp(1,2)-covariant Lagrangian quantization of general massive gauge theories. The superalgebra os0(1,2) is considered as subalgebra of sl(1,2); the latter may be considered as the algebra of generators of the conformal group in a superspace with two anticommuting coordinates. The mass-dependent (anti)BRST symmetries of proper solutions of the quantum master equations in the osp(1,2)-covariant formalism are realized in that superspace as invariance under translations combined with mass-dependent special conformal transformations. The Sp(2) symmetry -…
The BPS bound is formulated in light-cone superspace for the N = 4 superYang-Mills theory. As a consequence of the superalgebra all momenta are shown to be expressed as a quadratic form in the relevant supertransformations, and these forms are used to derive the light-cone superspace BPS equations. Finally, the superfield expressions are expanded out to component form, and the Wu-Yang Monopole boosted to the infinite momentum frame is shown to be a solution.
This article studies some features of quantum field theories with internal supersymmetry, focusing mainly on 2-dimensional non-linear sigma models which take values in a coset superspace. It is discussed how BRST operators from the target space supersymmetry algebra can be used to identify subsectors which are often simpler than the original model and may allow for an explicit computation of correlation functions. After an extensive discussion of the general reduction scheme, we present a number of interesting examples, including symmetric superspaces $G/G^{\mathbb{Z}_2}$ and coset superspaces…
We discuss a large class of coset constructions of the N=2 sl(n|n-1) affine superalgebra. We select admissible subalgebras, i.e. subalgebras that induce linear chiral/antichiral constraints on the coset supercurrents. We show that all the corresponding coset constructions lead to N=2 matrix GNLS hierarchies. We develop an algorithm to compute the relative Hamiltonians and flows. We spell out completely the case of the N=2 affine sl(3|2), which possesses four admissible subalgebras. The non-local second Hamiltonian structure of the N=2 matrix GNLS hierarchies is obtained via Dirac procedure fro…
We show that with every classical system possessing first class constraints that form a natural Lie algebra, we can associate a superalgebra that admits the constraint Lie algebra as a subalgebra. An odd generator of this superalgebra that commutes with the constraints is shown to be the BRST operator whose form follows from a non linear coset representation of the superalgebra. We further show the existence of the superalgebra for all Yang-Mills theories and for 26-dimensional bosonic strings.
In this work, we expand the hidden $AdS$-Lorentz superalgebra underlying $D=4$ supergravity, reaching a (hidden) Maxwell superalgebra. The latter can be viewed as an extension involving cosmological constant of the superalgebra underlying $D=4$ supergravity in flat spacetime. We write the Maurer-Cartan equations in this context and we find some interesting extensions of the antisymmetric $3$-form $A^{(3)}$ appearing in the Free Differential Algebra in Minkowski space. The structure of Free Differential Algebras is obtained by considering the zero curvature equations. We write the parametrizati…
After briefly reviewing the methods that allow us to derive consistently new Lie (super)algebras from given ones, we consider enlarged superspaces and superalgebras, their relevance and some possible applications.
Continuous formal deformations of the Poisson superbracket defined on compactly supported smooth functions on n-dimensional space taking values in a Grassmann algebra with m generating elements are described up to an equivalence transformation for the case n=m=2. It is shown that in this case the Poisson superalgebra has an additional deformation comparing with other superdimensions (n,m).
F-theory is the theory proposed to incorporate superstring theory in a way such that STU dualities are manifest. A useful description uses a current superalgebra on a higher-dimensional worldvolume, following from an action for a selfdual gauge field. Here the group "metric" appearing in the Schwinger (central charge) term of this current superalgebra is generalized to a tensor, in analogy to the usual generalization of the structure constants to the torsion (and curvature). This allows introduction of a massless background describing F-supergravity on the original bosonic worldvolume. The iso…
The $κ$-deformed $D=4$ Poincar{é} superalgebra written in Hopf superalgebra form is transformed to the basis with classical Lorentz subalgebra generators. We show that in such a basis the $κ$-deformed $D=4$ Poincare superalgebra can be written as graded bicrossproduct. We show that the $κ$-deformed $D=4$ superalgebra acts covariantly on $κ$-deformed chiral superspace.
The five simple exceptional complex Lie superalgbras of vector fields are described. One of them is new; the other four are explicitely described for the first time. All of the exceptional Lie superalgebras are obtained with the help of the Cartan prolongation or a generalized prolongation. The description of several of the exceptional Lie superalgebras is associated with the Lie superalgebra AS - the nontrivial central extension of the supertraceless subalgebra SPE(4) of the periplectic Lie superalgebra PE(4) that preserves the nondegenerate odd bilinear form on the (4|4)-dimensional superspa…
The superconformal structure of coset superspaces with AdS_m x S^n geometry of bosonic subspaces is studied. It is shown, in particular, that the conventional superspace extensions of the coset manifolds AdS_2 x S^2, AdS_3 x S^3 and AdS_5 x S^5, which arise as solutions of corresponding D=4,6, 10 supergravities and have been extensively studied in connection with AdS/CFT correspondence, are not superconformally flat, though their bosonic submanifolds are conformally flat. We give a group-theoretical reasoning for this fact. We find that in the AdS_2 x S^2 and AdS_3 x S^3 cases there exist diff…
Utilizing coset superspace approach, dual actions of super D1-and D3-branes on $AdS_5 \times S^5$ are constructed by carrying out duality transformation of world-volume U(1) gauge field. Resulting world-volume actions are shown to possess expected SL(2,{\bf Z}) properties. Crucial ingredient for deriving SL(2, {\bf Z}) transformation property of the D-brane actions is covariance of SU(2,2|4) coset superspace algebra under SO(2) rotation between two ten-dimensional Type IIB Majorana-Weyl spinors.
We propose a type IIB super-Poincare algebra with SO(2,1) covariant central extension. Together with SO(2,1) and SO(9,1) generators, a SO(2,1) triplet (momenta), a Majorana-spinor doublet (supercharges) and a Rarita-Schwinger central charge generate a group, G. We consider a coset G/H where H=(SO(2) x Lorentz), and the SL(2,R) 2-form doublet is obtained by the coset construction. It is shown that U(1) connections, whose strengths are associated with 2-forms, are recognized as coordinates of the enlarged space. We suggest that this is the fundamental algebra governing the superstring theories w…
Conformal sigma models and WZW models on coset superspaces provide important examples of logarithmic conformal field theories. They possess many applications to problems in string and condensed matter theory. We review recent results and developments, including the general construction of WZW models on type I supergroups, the classification of conformal sigma models and their embedding into string theory.
Many ${\mathcal W}$-(super)algebras which are defined by the generalized Drinfeld-Sokolov reduction are also known or expected to have coset realizations. For example, it was conjectured by Ito that the principal ${\mathcal W}$-superalgebra ${\mathcal W}^k(\mathfrak{sl}(n+1|n))$ is isomorphic to the coset of $V^{l+1}(\mathfrak{gl}_n)$ inside $V^{l}(\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1}) \otimes {\mathcal E}(n)$ for generic values of $l$. Here ${\mathcal E}(n)$ denotes the rank $n$ $bc$-system, which carries an action of $V^1(\mathfrak{gl}_n)$, and $k$ and $l$ are related by $(k + 1) (l + n + 1) = 1$. This conje…
Using the notion of a gauge connection on a flat superspace, we construct a general class of noncommutative ($D=2,$ $\mathcal{N}=1$) supertranslation algebras generalizing the ordinary algebra by inclusion of some new bosonic and fermionic operators. We interpret the new operators entering into the algebra as the generators of a U(1) (super) gauge symmery of the underlying theory on superspace. These superalgebras are gauge invariant, though not closed in general. We then show that these type of superalgebras are naturally realized in a supersymmetric field theory possessing a super U(1) gauge…
The first-order formulation of the G/K symmetric space sigma model of the scalar cosets of the supergravity theories is discussed when there is coupling of (m-1)-form matter fields. The Lie superalgebra which enables the dualized coset formulation is constructed for a general scalar coset G/K with matter coupling where G is a non-compact real form of a semi-simple Lie group and K is its maximal compact subgroup.
We perform the non-linear realisation or the coset formulation of the pure N=4, D=5 supergravity. We derive the Lie superalgebra which parameterizes a coset map whose induced Cartan-Maurer form produces the bosonic field equations of the pure N=4, D=5 supergravity by canonically satisfying the Cartan-Maurer equation. We also obtain the first-order field equations of the theory as a twisted self-duality condition for the Cartan-Maurer form within the geometrical framework of the coset construction.
We prove the conjecture of Gaiotto and Rapčák that the $Y$-algebras $Y_{L,M,N}[ψ]$ with one of the parameters $L,M,N$ zero, are simple one-parameter quotients of the universal two-parameter $\mathcal{W}_{1+\infty}$-algebra, and satisfy a symmetry known as triality. These $Y$-algebras are defined as the cosets of certain non-principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebras and $\mathcal{W}$-superalgebras by their affine vertex subalgebras, and triality is an isomorphism between three such algebras. Special cases of our result provide new and unified proofs of many theorems and open conjectures in the literatur…
We present a superspace formulation of the D=3, N=4,5 superconformal Chern-Simons Matter theories, with matter supermultiplets valued in a symplectic 3-algebra. We first construct an N=1 superconformal action, and then generalize a method used by Gaitto and Witten to enhance the supersymmetry from N=1 to N=5. By decomposing the N=5 supermultiplets and the symplectic 3-algebra properly and proposing a new super-potential term, we construct the N=4 superconformal Chern-Simons matter theories in terms of two sets of generators of a (quaternion) symplectic 3-algebra. The N=4 theories can also be d…
This thesis presents a framework in which to explore kinematical symmetries beyond the standard Lorentzian case. This framework consists of an algebraic classification, a geometric classification, and a derivation of the geometric properties required to define physical theories on the classified spacetime geometries. The work completed in substantiating this framework for kinematical, super-kinematical, and super-Bargmann symmetries constitutes the body of this thesis. To this end, the classification of kinematical Lie algebras in spatial dimension $D = 3$, as presented in [3, 4], is reviewed;…
In this paper we clarify the relations occurring among the osp(1|32) algebra, the M-algebra and the hidden superalgebra underlying the Free Differential Algebra of D=11 supergravity (to which we will refer as DF-algebra) that was introduced in the literature by D'Auria and Fré in 1981 and is actually a (Lorentz valued) central extension of the M-algebra including a nilpotent spinor generator, Q'. We focus in particular on the 4-form cohomology in 11D superspace of the supergravity theory, strictly related to the presence in the theory of a 3-form $A^{(3)}$. Once formulated in terms of its hidd…
The forms in D-dimensional (half-)maximal supergravity theories are discussed for 3 $\leq$ D $\leq$ 11. Superspace methods are used to derive consistent sets of Bianchi identities for all the forms for all degrees, and to show that they are soluble and fully compatible with supersymmetry. The Bianchi identities determine Lie superalgebras that can be extended to Borcherds superalgebras of a special type. It is shown that any Borcherds superalgebra of this type gives the same form spectrum, up to an arbitrary degree, as an associated Kac-Moody algebra. For maximal supergravity up to D-form pote…
The half-maximal supergravity theories in three dimensions, which have local $SO(8)\xz SO(n)$ and rigid SO(8,n) symmetries, are discussed in a superspace setting starting from the superconformal theory. The on-shell theory is obtained by imposing further constraints; it is essentially a non-linear sigma model that induces a Poincaré supergeometry. The deformations of the geometry due to gauging are briefly discussed. The possible $p$-form field strengths are studied using supersymmetry and SO(8,n) symmetry. The set of such forms obeying consistent Bianchi identities constitutes a Lie super co-…
The action of Weyl scale invariant p=2 brane which breaks the target super Weyl scale symmetry in the N=1, D=4 superspace down to the lower dimensional Weyl symmetry W(1,2) is derived by the approach of nonlinear realization. The dual form action for the Weyl scale invariant supersymmetric D2 brane is also constructed. The interactions of localized matter fields on the brane with the Nambu-Goldstone fields associated with the breaking of the symmetries in the superspace and one spatial translation directions are obtained through the Cartan one-forms of the Coset structures. The covariant deriv…
