Augmented Superfield Approach to Gauge-invariant Massive 2-Form Theory

We discuss the complete sets of the off-shell nilpotent (i.e. s^2_{(a)b} = 0) and absolutely anticommuting (i.e. s_b s_{ab} + s_{ab} s_b = 0) Becchi-Rouet-Stora-Tyutin (BRST) (s_b) and anti-BRST (s_{ab}) symmetries for the (3+1)-dimensional (4D) gauge-invariant massive 2-form theory within the framework of augmented superfield approach to BRST formalism. In this formalism, we obtain the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangian densities which respect both BRST and anti-BRST symmetries on the constrained hypersurface defined by the Curci-Ferrari type conditions. The absolute anticommutativity property of the (anti-)BRST transformations (and corresponding generators) is ensured by the existence of the Curci-Ferrari type conditions which emerge very naturally in this formalism. Furthermore, the gauge-invariant restriction plays a decisive role in deriving the proper (anti-)BRST transformations for the St{\"u}ckelberg-like vector field.Comment: LaTeX file, 22 pages, no figures, version to appear in Eur. Phys. J. C (2017

A Free N = 2 Supersymmetric System: Novel Symmetries

We discuss a set of novel discrete symmetries of a free N = 2 supersymmetric (SUSY) quantum mechanical system which is the limiting case of a widely-studied interacting SUSY model of a charged particle constrained to move on a sphere in the background of a Dirac magnetic monopole. The usual continuous symmetries of this model provide the physical realization of the de Rham cohomological operators of differential geometry. The interplay between the novel discrete symmetries and usual continuous symmetries leads to the physical realization of relationship between the (co-)exterior derivatives of differential geometry. We have also exploited the supervariable approach to derive the nilpotent N = 2 SUSY symmetries of the theory and provided the geometrical origin and interpretation for the nilpotency property. Ultimately, our present study (based on innate symmetries) proves that our free N = 2 SUSY example is a tractable model for the Hodge theory.Comment: LaTeX file, 12 pages, Journal reference is give