BPS surface observables in six-dimensional (2,0) theory

The supergroup OSp(8*|4), which is the superconformal group of (2,0) theory in six dimensions, is broken to the subgroup OSp(4|2)xOSp(4|2) by demanding the invariance of a certain product in a superspace with eight bosonic and four fermionic dimensions. We show that this is consistent with the symmetry breaking induced by the presence of a flat two-dimensional BPS surface in the usual (2,0) superspace, which has six bosonic and sixteen fermionic dimensions.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX. v2: reference adde

Superconformal symmetry in the interacting theory of (2,0) tensor multiplets and self-dual strings

We investigate the concept of superconformal symmetry in six dimensions, applied to the interacting theory of (2,0) tensor multiplets and self-dual strings. The action of a superconformal transformation on the superspace coordinates is found, both from a six-dimensional perspective and by using a superspace with eight bosonic and four fermionic dimensions. The transformation laws for all fields in the theory are derived, as well as general expressions for the transformation of on-shell superfields. Superconformal invariance is shown for the interaction of a self-dual string with a background consisting of on-shell tensor multiplet fields, and we also find an interesting relationship between the requirements of superconformal invariance and those of a local fermionic kappa-symmetry. Finally, we try to construct a superspace analogue of the Poincare dual to the string world-sheet and consider its properties under superconformal transformations.Comment: 31 pages, LaTeX. v2: clarifications and minor correction

Manifest superconformal covariance in six-dimensional (2,0) theory

A superconformal generalization of Dirac's formalism for manifest conformal covariance is presented and applied to the free (2,0) tensor multiplet field theory in six dimensions. A graded symmetric superfield, defined on a supercone in a higher-dimensional superspace is introduced. This superfield transforms linearly under the transformations of the supergroup OSp(8*|4), which is the superconformal group of the six-dimensional (2,0) theory. We find the relationship between the new superfield and the conventional (2,0) superfields in six dimensions and show that the implied superconformal transformation laws are correct. Finally, we present a manifestly conformally covariant constraint on the supercone, which reduces to the ordinary differential constraint for the superfields in the six-dimensional space-time.Comment: 12 pages, LaTeX. v2: minor clarification adde

Supersymmetric coupling of a self-dual string to a (2,0) tensor multiplet background

We construct an interaction between a (2,0) tensor multiplet in six dimensions and a self-dual string. The interaction is a sum of a Nambu-Goto term, with the tension of the string given by the modulus of the scalar fields of the tensor multiplet, and a non-local Wess-Zumino term, that encodes the electromagnetic coupling of the string to the two-form gauge field of the tensor multiplet. The interaction is invariant under global (2,0) supersymmetry, modulo the equations of motion of a free tensor multiplet. It is also invariant under a local fermionic kappa-symmetry, as required by the BPS-property of the string.Comment: 12 pages, LaTe