1,897 research outputs found
N=2 Conformal Superspace in Four Dimensions
We develop the geometry of four dimensional N=2 superspace where the entire
conformal algebra of SU(2,2|2) is realized linearly in the structure group
rather than just the SL(2,C) x U(2)_R subgroup of Lorentz and R-symmetries,
extending to N=2 our prior result for N=1 superspace. This formulation
explicitly lifts to superspace the existing methods of the N=2 superconformal
tensor calculus; at the same time the geometry, when degauged to SL(2,C) x
U(2)_R, reproduces the existing formulation of N=2 conformal supergravity
constructed by Howe.Comment: 43 pages; v2 references added, acknowledgments update
Extended supersymmetric sigma models in AdS_4 from projective superspace
There exist two superspace approaches to describe N=2 supersymmetric
nonlinear sigma models in four-dimensional anti-de Sitter (AdS_4) space: (i) in
terms of N=1 AdS chiral superfields, as developed in arXiv:1105.3111 and
arXiv:1108.5290; and (ii) in terms of N=2 polar supermultiplets using the AdS
projective-superspace techniques developed in arXiv:0807.3368. The virtue of
the approach (i) is that it makes manifest the geometric properties of the N=2
supersymmetric sigma-models in AdS_4. The target space must be a non-compact
hyperkahler manifold endowed with a Killing vector field which generates an
SO(2) group of rotations on the two-sphere of complex structures. The power of
the approach (ii) is that it allows us, in principle, to generate hyperkahler
metrics as well as to address the problem of deformations of such metrics.
Here we show how to relate the formulation (ii) to (i) by integrating out an
infinite number of N=1 AdS auxiliary superfields and performing a superfield
duality transformation. We also develop a novel description of the most general
N=2 supersymmetric nonlinear sigma-model in AdS_4 in terms of chiral
superfields on three-dimensional N=2 flat superspace without central charge.
This superspace naturally originates from a conformally flat realization for
the four-dimensional N=2 AdS superspace that makes use of Poincare coordinates
for AdS_4. This novel formulation allows us to uncover several interesting
geometric results.Comment: 88 pages; v3: typos corrected, version published in JHE
The linear multiplet and ectoplasm
In the framework of the superconformal tensor calculus for 4D N=2
supergravity, locally supersymmetric actions are often constructed using the
linear multiplet. We provide a superform formulation for the linear multiplet
and derive the corresponding action functional using the ectoplasm method (also
known as the superform approach to the construction of supersymmetric
invariants). We propose a new locally supersymmetric action which makes use of
a deformed linear multiplet. The novel feature of this multiplet is that it
corresponds to the case of a gauged central charge using a one-form potential
not annihilated by the central charge (unlike the standard N=2 vector
multiplet). Such a gauge one-form can be chosen to describe a variant nonlinear
vector-tensor multiplet. As a byproduct of our construction, we also find a
variant realization of the tensor multiplet in supergravity where one of the
auxiliaries is replaced by the field strength of a gauge three-form.Comment: 31 pages; v3: minor corrections and typos fixed, version to appear in
JHE
N=2 supergravity and supercurrents
We address the problem of classifying all N=2 supercurrent multiplets in four
space-time dimensions. For this purpose we consider the minimal formulation of
N=2 Poincare supergravity with a tensor compensator, and derive its linearized
action in terms of three N=2 off-shell multiplets: an unconstrained scalar
superfield, a vector multiplet, and a tensor multiplet. Such an action was
ruled out to exist in the past. Using the action constructed, one can derive
other models for linearized N=2 supergravity by applying N=2 superfield duality
transformations. The action depends parametrically on a constant non-vanishing
real isotriplet g^{ij}=g^{ji} which originates as an expectation value of the
tensor compensator. Upon reduction to N=1 superfields, we show that the model
describes two dually equivalent formulations for the massless multiplet
(1,3/2)+(3/2,2) depending on a choice of g^{ij}. In the case g^{11}=g^{22}=0,
the action describes (i) new minimal N=1 supergravity; and (ii) the
Fradkin-Vasiliev-de Wit-van Holten gravitino multiplet. In the case g^{12}=0,
on the other hand, the action describes (i) old minimal N=1 supergravity; and
(ii) the Ogievetsky-Sokatchev gravitino multiplet.Comment: 40 pages; v2: added references, some comments, new appendi
Supergravity for Effective Theories
Higher-derivative operators are central elements of any effective field
theory. In supersymmetric theories, these operators include terms with
derivatives in the K\"ahler potential. We develop a toolkit for coupling such
supersymmetric effective field theories to supergravity. We explain how to
write the action for minimal supergravity coupled to chiral superfields with
arbitrary numbers of derivatives and curvature couplings. We discuss two
examples in detail, showing how the component actions agree with the
expectations from the linearized description in terms of a Ferrara-Zumino
multiplet. In a companion paper, we apply the formalism to the effective theory
of inflation.Comment: 26 page
Pure spinor superfields -- an overview
Maximally supersymmetric theories do not allow off-shell superspace
formulations with traditional superfields containing a finite set of auxiliary
fields. It has become clear that off-shell supersymmetric action formulations
of such models can be achieved by the introduction of pure spinors. In this
talk, an overview of this formalism is given, with emphasis on D=10
super-Yang-Mills theory and D=11 supergravity. This a somewhat expanded version
of a talk presented at the workshop "Breaking of supersymmetry and ultraviolet
divergences in extended supergravity" (BUDS), Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati,
March 25-28, 2013.Comment: 34 pp., 2 figs., contributions to the proceedings of the workshop
"Breaking of supersymmetry and ultraviolet divergences in extended
supergravity" (BUDS), Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, March 25-28, 201
Six-dimensional Supergravity and Projective Superfields
We propose a superspace formulation of N=(1,0) conformal supergravity in six
dimensions. The corresponding superspace constraints are invariant under
super-Weyl transformations generated by a real scalar parameter. The known
variant Weyl super-multiplet is recovered by coupling the geometry to a
super-3-form tensor multiplet. Isotwistor variables are introduced and used to
define projective superfields. We formulate a locally supersymmetric and
super-Weyl invariant action principle in projective superspace. Some families
of dynamical supergravity-matter systems are presented.Comment: 39 pages; v3: some modifications in section 2; equations (2.3),
(2.14b), (2.16) and (2.17) correcte
N=8 Superspace Constraints for Three-dimensional Gauge Theories
We present a systematic analysis of the N=8 superspace constraints in three
space-time dimensions. The general coupling between vector and scalar
supermultiplets is encoded in an SO(8) tensor W_{AB} which is a function of the
matter fields and subject to a set of algebraic and super-differential
relations. We show how the conformal BLG model as well as three-dimensional
super Yang-Mills theory provide solutions to these constraints and can both be
formulated in this universal framework.Comment: 34 + 10 pages; added references, minor correction
Water induced sediment levitation enhances downslope transport on Mars
On Mars, locally warm surface temperatures (~293 K) occur, leading to the possibility of (transient) liquid water on the surface. However, water exposed to the martian atmosphere will boil, and the sediment transport capacity of such unstable water is not well understood. Here, we present laboratory studies of a newly recognized transport mechanism: “levitation” of saturated sediment bodies on a cushion of vapor released by boiling. Sediment transport where this mechanism is active is about nine times greater than without this effect, reducing the amount of water required to transport comparable sediment volumes by nearly an order of magnitude. Our calculations show that the effect of levitation could persist up to ~48 times longer under reduced martian gravity. Sediment levitation must therefore be considered when evaluating the formation of recent and present-day martian mass wasting features, as much less water may be required to form such features than previously thought
Behavioural syndrome in a solitary predator is independent of body size and growth rate.
Models explaining behavioural syndromes often focus on state-dependency, linking behavioural variation to individual differences in other phenotypic features. Empirical studies are, however, rare. Here, we tested for a size and growth-dependent stable behavioural syndrome in the juvenile-stages of a solitary apex predator (pike, Esox lucius), shown as repeatable foraging behaviour across risk. Pike swimming activity, latency to prey attack, number of successful and unsuccessful prey attacks was measured during the presence/absence of visual contact with a competitor or predator. Foraging behaviour across risks was considered an appropriate indicator of boldness in this solitary predator where a trade-off between foraging behaviour and threat avoidance has been reported. Support was found for a behavioural syndrome, where the rank order differences in the foraging behaviour between individuals were maintained across time and risk situation. However, individual behaviour was independent of body size and growth in conditions of high food availability, showing no evidence to support the state-dependent personality hypothesis. The importance of a combination of spatial and temporal environmental variation for generating growth differences is highlighted
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