Conformal Invariance of N=4 SYM Theory and the Yang-Mills Stress Tensor

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on demonstrating the conformal invariance of N=4 Super Yang-Mills (SYM) theory in four dimensions, specifically analyzing the action defined as S=\frac{1}{4g}\int d^Dx \sqrt{g}Tr\left(F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu \nu}). The participant expresses uncertainty regarding the stress tensor derived from this action, which is given as T^{\alpha\beta} = g^{\alpha\beta}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu \nu}. They identify a potential issue with the divergence condition, represented as \partial_{\alpha}T^{\alpha\beta} = \partial^{\beta}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu \nu}, and seek clarification on whether additional metrics are involved in the action.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of N=4 Super Yang-Mills (SYM) theory
  • Familiarity with conformal field theory principles
  • Knowledge of stress-energy tensor derivation
  • Proficiency in tensor calculus and metric manipulation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the stress tensor in N=4 SYM theory
  • Examine the role of the metric in conformal field theory actions
  • Learn about the equations of motion in the context of SYM theory
  • Research the implications of divergence conditions on stress tensors
USEFUL FOR

The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in quantum field theory, string theory, and researchers focusing on conformal invariance in gauge theories.

BenTheMan
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I am working through a set of notes on conformal field theory by Schellekens and want to show the conformal invariance of N=4 SYM theory in four dimensions. I start with the action
[tex]S=\frac{1}{4g}\int d^Dx \sqrt{g}Tr\left(F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu \nu})[/tex]
There's only the metric in the action to worry about, in the Jacobian. (Is this wrong?)

But then the stress tensor I get is this (Abelian case):
[tex]T^{\alpha\beta} = g^{\alpha\beta}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu \nu}[/tex].

I'm pretty sure that this isn't right because I was assuming I'd use the SYM equation of motion to show the divergence condition on the stress tensor. Instead, I get something like (Abelian case):
[tex]\partial_{\alpha}T^{\alpha\beta} = \partial^{\beta}F_{\mu\nu}F^{\mu \nu}[/tex].

Can anyone point me in the right directions? Am I missing something in the actoin (i.e. a hiding metric)?
 
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[tex] F^{\mu \nu} = g^{\mu \rho} g^{\nu \sigma} F_{\rho \sigma}[/tex]
 
Sigh. Then I definitely see how to use the eom to get the divergence condition.

Thanks!
 

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