How to make an action supersymmetric?

  • Thread starter yola
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In summary, adding fermionic terms to a bosonic action does not necessarily make it supersymmetric. There are restrictions on the bosonic interactions that must be considered. For spin-0 scalar fields, a spin-1/2 spinor field must be added to create a Wess-Zumino supersymmetric field. However, not all scalar theories can be supersymmetrized. To determine the appropriate terms to add, one must write down the supersymmetry variations of all fields and adjust the action accordingly. This process can be tedious, but it is how 11-dimensional SUGRA was discovered.
  • #1
yola
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Hello,

i am given an action (only scalars) and i want to make it supersymmetric. Any hints?
Do i simply add fermionic terms similar to those of the bosonic?

Thanks
 
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  • #2
No, in general there are restrictions on the bosonic interactions and you cannot supersymmetrize any given bosonic action by adding fermions. It is in general a non-trivial exercise.
 
  • #3
For spin-0 scalar fields, one would add a spin-1/2 spinor field to each one to make a Wess-Zumino supersymmetric field (superfield). Since the on-shell numbers of bosonic and fermionic degrees of freedom must be equal, the scalar field must be a complex one.

Introductions to supersymmetry usually get into Wess-Zumino fields rather quickly, so it should not be much trouble to discover how to add superpartner fields.
 
  • #4
Ineed not only the supermultiplet structure must work, but as said, there are restrictions on the bosonic interactions; not all scalar theories can be supersymmetrized. For example, a bosonic non-linear sigma model on some manifold M can only be supersymmetrized if M is a Kaehler manifold.
 
  • #5
The way this was traditionally done is by writing down the supersymmetry variations of all of your fields. Then see what happens to the action when you apply these SUSY variations. It will spit out some extra terms. So then you adjust your action and SUSY variations by adding more terms. Repeat this process until you don't have to add any more terms.

The whole thing is quite tedious, but that's how 11-dimensional SUGRA was found.
 
  • #6
Thanks
 

1. What is supersymmetry?

Supersymmetry is a theoretical framework in particle physics that proposes a symmetry between fundamental particles known as fermions (such as electrons and quarks) and another type of particles known as bosons (such as photons and gluons).

2. Why is supersymmetry important in physics?

Supersymmetry is important because it offers potential solutions to several unanswered questions in physics, such as the hierarchy problem and the unification of fundamental forces. It also provides a possible explanation for dark matter, which is believed to make up a large portion of the universe's mass.

3. How can we make an action supersymmetric?

To make an action supersymmetric, we must introduce additional fields and symmetries into the existing theory. This can be done by adding new particles and interactions that transform under supersymmetry, and by imposing certain mathematical constraints on the theory's equations.

4. What is the role of supersymmetry in quantum field theory?

Supersymmetry plays a crucial role in quantum field theory, as it allows for the cancellation of quantum corrections that would otherwise make the theory mathematically inconsistent. This leads to more stable and well-behaved theories.

5. Are there any experimental evidence for supersymmetry?

So far, there is no direct experimental evidence for supersymmetry. However, several experiments, such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, are actively searching for supersymmetric particles. While some indirect evidence has been found, the existence of supersymmetry is still an open question in physics.

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