On Aspects and Implications of the New Covariant 4D, N = 1 Green-Schwarz Sigma-model Action

Utilizing (2,0) superfields, we write a supersymmetry-squared action and partially relate it to the new formulation of the Green-Schwarz action given by Berkovits and Siegel. Recent results derived from this new formulation are discussed within the context of some prior proposals in the literature. Among these, we note that 4D, N = 1 beta-FFC superspace geometry with a composite connection for R-symmetry has now been confirmed as the only presently known limit of 4D, N = 1 heterotic string theory that is derivable in a completely rigorous manner.Comment: 15 pages, LaTe

A Truly Crazy Idea About Type-IIB Supergravity and Heterotic Sigma-Models

We construct an explicit and manifestly (1,0) heterotic sigma-model where the background fields are those of 10D, N=IIB supergravity.Comment: 10 Pages, Latex (self contained macros

Haploid (2,2)-Superfields In 2-Dimensional Spacetime

Superfields in 2-dimensional (2,2)-superspacetime which are independent of (some) half of the fermionic coordinates are discussed in a hopefully both comprehensive and comprehensible manner. An embarrassing abundance of these simplest `building blocks' makes it utterly impossible to write down the `most general Lagrangian'. With some ad hoc but perhaps plausible restrictions, a rather general Lagrangian is found, which exhibits many of the phenomena that have been studied recently, and harbors many more. In particular, it becomes patently obvious that the (2,2)-supersymmetric 2-dimensional field theory target space geometries (many of which are suitable for (super)string propagation) are far more general than Kahler manifolds with holomorphic bundles.Comment: 59 pages, 6 figures; plain TeX, requires harvmac.tex and epsf.tex, typos corrected & two references adde

Toward an Off - Shell 11D Supergravity Limit of M - Theory

We demonstrate that in addition to the usual fourth-rank superfield $(W_{a b c d})$ which describes the on-shell theory, a spinor superfield (J_\a ) can be introduced into the 11D geometrical tensors with engineering dimensions less or equal to one in such a way to satisfy the Bianchi identities in superspace. The components arising from J_\a are identified as some of the auxiliary fields required for a full off-shell formulation. Our result indicates that eleven dimensional supergravity does not have to be completely on-shell. The \k\-symmetry of the supermembrane action in the presence of our partial off-shell supergravity background is also confirmed. Our modifications to eleven-dimensional supergravity theory are thus likely relevant for M-theory. We suggest our proposal as a significant systematic off-shell generalization of eleven-dimensional supergravity theory.Comment: 13 pages, LATEX (all macros included. No figures

Quantization of N=1 chiral/nonminimal (CNM) scalar multiplets and supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories

We give the superfield quantization of chiral/nonminimal (CNM) scalar multiplets defined by pairs of N=1 chiral and complex linear scalar superfields kinematically coupled. In the pure massive case we develop the covariant quantization when CNM multiplets are coupled to background gauge superfields. Furthermore, we study some properties of N=1 supersymmetric Yang--Mills theories constructed using CNM scalar matter superfields. In particular, we compute the one--loop contribution to the effective action for the matter superfields, we study the analogue of the Konishi anomaly and discuss some properties of the glueball superpotential.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX, references added, new comments in section 2, section 4 modified, new section 6 inserted, version to appear on Phys. Lett.

Vector Multiplets and the Phases of N = 2 Theories in 2D Through the Looking Glass

We extend Witten's discussion of actions related to the Landau-Ginzburg description of Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces in weighted projective spaces to cover the mirror class of models that include twisted chiral matter multiplets and a newly discovered 2D, N = 2 twisted vector multiplet. Certain integrability obstructions are observed that constrain the most general constructions containing both matter and twisted matter simultaneously. It is conjectured that knot invariants will ultimately play a role in describing the most general such model.Comment: 11 page

Two Two-Dimensional Supergravity Theories from Calabi-Yau Four-Folds

We consider two-dimensional supergravity theories with four supercharges constructed from compactification of Type II string theory on a generic Calabi-Yau four-fold. In Type IIA and Type IIB cases, respectively, new superspace formulations of N=(2,2) and N=(0,4) dilaton supergravities are found and their coupling to matter multiplets is discussed.Comment: 47 pages, harvma

Yang-Mills and Supersymmetry Covariance Must Coexist

Supersymmetry and Yang-Mills type gauge invariance are two of the essential properties of most, and possibly the most important models in fundamental physics. Supersymmetry is nearly trivial to prove in the (traditionally gauge-noncovariant) superfield formalism, whereas the gauge-covariant formalism makes gauge invariance manifest. In 3+1-dimensions, the transformation from one into the other is elementary and essentially unique. By contrast, this transformation turns out to be impossible in the most general 1+1-dimensional case. In fact, only the (manifestly) gauge- and supersymmetry-covariant formalism guarantees both universal gauge-invariance and supersymmetry.Comment: 17 pages, TeX+harvma

The CNM-Hypermultiplet Nexus

We consider additional properties of CNM (chiral-nonminimal) models. We show how 4D, N = 2 nonlinear sigma-models can be described solely in terms of N = 1 superfield CNM doublets. These actions are described by a Kahler potential together with an infinite number (in the general case) of terms involving its successively higher derivatives. We briefly discuss how N = 2 supersymmetric extension of the previously proposed N = 1 CNM low-energy QCD effective action can be achievedComment: 23 p, LaTeX twice, no figure

Geometry and beta-functions for N=2 matter models in two dimensions

We study renormalizable nonlinear sigma-models in two dimensions with N=2 supersymmetry described in superspace in terms of chiral and complex linear superfields. The geometrical structure of the underlying manifold is investigated and the one-loop divergent contribution to the effective action is computed. The condition of vanishing beta-function allows to identify a class of models which satisfy this requirement and possess N=4 supersymmetry.Comment: latex file, 20 pages, no figure