Top quark longitudinal polarization near the threshold in l+ l- annihilation

We show that the longitudinal polarization of the top quarks produced in the annihilation of e+ e- or mu+ mu- into tbar t at energies near the threshold is not affected by the large Coulomb-type corrections, which greatly modify the total cross section. Thus the longitudinal polarization, although small, may provide an independent information on the mass and the width of the top quark, largely independent of the uncertainty in alpha_s.Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX, no figures, added references, corrected typo

On domain shapes and processes in supersymmetric theories

A supersymmetric theory with several scalar superfields generically has several domain wall type classical configurations which interpolate between various supersymmetric vacua of the scalar fields. Depending on the couplings, some of these configurations develop instability and decay into multiple domain walls, others can form intersections in space. These phenomena are considered here in a simplest, yet non-trivial, model with two scalar superfields.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 5 figures in LaTe

BPS Saturated Vacua Interpolation along One Compact Dimension

A class of generalized Wess-Zumino models with distinct vacua is investigated. These models allow for BPS saturated vacua interpolation along one compact spatial dimension. The properties of these interpolations are studied.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Domain walls in supersymmetric QCD: from weak to strong coupling

We consider domain walls that appear in supersymmetric QCD with Nf < Nc massive flavours. In particular, for 2 Nf < Nc we explicitly construct the domain walls that interpolate between vacua labeled by i and (i+ N_f). We show that these solutions are Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) saturated for any value of the mass of the matter fields. This fact allows us to evaluate the large mass limit of these domain walls. We comment on the relevance of these solutions for supersymmetric gluodynamics.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, LaTex, uses psfig.st

Modified mode-expansion on a BPS wall related to the nonlinear realization

We propose a modified mode-expansion of the bulk fields in a BPS domain wall background to obtain the effective theory on the wall. The broken SUSY is nonlinearly realized on each mode defined by our mode-expansion. Our work clarifies a relation between two different approaches to derive the effective theory on a BPS wall, {\it i.e.} the nonlinear realization approach and the mode-expansion approach. We also discuss a further modification that respects the Lorentz and $U(1)_R$ symmetries broken by the wall.Comment: LaTeX file, 21 pages, no figure

N=2 Sigma Model with Twisted Mass and Superpotential: Central Charges and Solitons

We consider supersymmetric sigma models on the Kahler target spaces, with twisted mass. The Kahler spaces are assumed to have holomorphic Killing vectors. Introduction of a superpotential of a special type is known to be consistent with N=2 superalgebra (Alvarez-Gaume and Freedman). We show that the algebra acquires central charges in the anticommutators {Q_L, Q_L} and {Q_R, Q_R}. These central charges have no parallels, and they can exist only in two dimensions. The central extension of the N=2 superalgebra we found paves the way to a novel phenomenon -- spontaneous breaking of a part of supersymmetry. In the general case 1/2 of supersymmetry is spontaneously broken (the vacuum energy density is positive), while the remaining 1/2 is realized linearly. In the model at hand the standard fermion number is not defined, so that the Witten index as well as the Cecotti-Fendley-Intriligator-Vafa index are useless. We show how to construct an index for counting short multiplets in internal algebraic terms which is well-defined in spite of the absence of the standard fermion number. Finally, we outline derivation of the quantum anomaly in {\bar Q_L, Q_R}.Comment: 21 pages, Latex, 1 eps figure. Two important references adde

Degenerate Domain Wall Solutions in Supersymmetric Theories

A family of degenerate domain wall configurations, partially preserving supersymmetry, is discussed in a generalized Wess-Zumino model with two scalar superfields. We establish some general features inherent to the models with continuously degenerate domain walls. For instance, for purely real trajectories additional "integrals of motion" exist. The solution for the profile of the scalar fields for any wall belonging to the family is found in quadratures for arbitrary ratio of the coupling constants. For a special value of this ratio the solution family is obtained explicitly in terms of elementary functions. We also discuss the threshold amplitudes for multiparticle production generated by these solutions. New unexpected nullifications of the threshold amplitudes are found.Comment: 21 pages, LaTeX, 3 figures using epsf.st

Exact Results in Gauge Theories: Putting Supersymmetry to Work. The 1999 Sakurai Prize Lecture

Powerful methods based on supersymmetry allow one to find exact solutions to certain problems in strong coupling gauge theories. The inception of some of these methods (holomorphy in the gauge coupling and other chiral parameters, in conjunction with instanton calculations) dates back to the 1980's. I describe the early exact results -- the calculation of the beta function and the gluino condensate -- and their impact on the subsequent developments. A brief discussion of the recent breakthrough discoveries where these results play a role is given.Comment: Based on the talk at the Centennial Meeting of The American Physical Society, March 20-26, Atlanta, GA. LaTex (uses sprocl.sty), 36 pages, 5 eps figures include