Energy momentum tensor for RNS superstring

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on deriving the energy-momentum tensor for the RNS superstring action in flat gauge. The energy-momentum tensor is defined as \( T_{\alpha\beta} = \partial_\alpha X^\mu \partial_\beta X_\mu + \frac{1}{4} \bar{\psi}^\mu \gamma_\alpha \partial_\beta \psi_\mu + \frac{1}{4} \bar{\psi}^\mu \gamma_\beta \partial_\alpha \psi_\mu - (\text{trace}) \). The participant expresses difficulty in reintroducing the worldsheet metric \( h_{\alpha\beta} \) into the action and calculating the variation correctly. The query also addresses whether the variation of gamma matrices vanishes, which is crucial for the derivation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of RNS superstring theory and its action formulation.
  • Familiarity with the concept of energy-momentum tensors in field theory.
  • Knowledge of worldsheet metrics and their determinants in string theory.
  • Basic understanding of Dirac spinors and gamma matrices.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of energy-momentum tensors in string theory, focusing on the RNS action.
  • Study the role of worldsheet metrics and their variations in string theory calculations.
  • Investigate the properties of gamma matrices in the context of string theory and their variations.
  • Explore literature on the introduction of superpartners in string theory actions.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in string theory, graduate students studying advanced quantum field theory, and researchers interested in the mathematical formulation of energy-momentum tensors in high-energy physics.

physicus
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Homework Statement



The RNS action in flat gauge is given by
S=-\frac{1}{8\pi}\int d\sigma d\tau\,\frac{2}{\alpha'}\partial_\alpha X^{\mu}\partial^\alpha X_\mu+2i\bar{\psi}_A^\mu\gamma_{AB}^\alpha\partial_\alpha\psi_{\mu B}
\mu is a spacetime vector index, \alpha a worldsheet vector intex and A,B are Dirac spinor indices. Show that the energy-momentum tensor is given by
T_{\alpha\beta}=\partial_\alpha X^\mu\partial_\beta X_\mu+\frac{1}{4}\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_\alpha \partial_\beta \psi_\mu+\frac{1}{4}\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_\beta \partial_\alpha \psi_\mu-(\text{trace})
where Dirac indices are supressed.


The Attempt at a Solution



I really have serious trouble solving this. The energy momentum tensor is defined as
T_{\alpha\beta}=\frac{4\pi}{\sqrt{-h}}\frac{\delta S}{\delta h^{\alpha\beta}}
where h_{\alpha\beta} is the worldsheet metric and h its determinant.

My first problem is, that the expression above is already gauge fixed. In order to take the variation of the action with respect to the metric I have to reintroduce it in the action which yields
S=-\frac{1}{8\pi}\int d\sigma d\tau\,\sqrt{-h}\left[\frac{2}{\alpha'}h^{\alpha\beta}\partial_\alpha X^{\mu}\partial_\beta X_\mu+2ih^{\alpha\beta}\bar{\psi}^\mu \gamma_{\alpha} \partial_{\beta} \psi_{\mu B}\right]
Is that correct? I have read that also the metric $h_{\alpha\beta}$ has a superpartner, do I have to introduce the superpartner instead of the metric itself in the fermionic part of the action?

Although I am not sure if my form of the action with the metric reintroduced is correct I tried to do the calculation:
\frac{\delta S}{\delta h^{\alpha\beta}}
= -\frac{1}{8\pi}\int d\sigma d\tau \left[\frac{1}{2\sqrt{-h}}\frac{-\delta h}{\delta h^{\alpha\beta}}h^{\epsilon\rho}( \partial_{\epsilon} X^{\mu}\partial_\rho X_\mu+2i\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_{\epsilon} \partial_{\rho} \psi_{\mu B})\right]-\frac{1}{8\pi}\sqrt{-h}(\partial_\alpha X^{\mu}\partial_\beta X_\mu+2i\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_{\alpha} \partial_{\beta} \psi_{\mu B})
= -\frac{1}{8\pi}\left[-\frac{1}{2}\sqrt{-h}h_{\alpha\beta}h^{\epsilon\rho}( \partial_{\epsilon} X^{\mu} \partial_{\rho} X_\mu+2i\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_{\epsilon} \partial_{\rho} \psi_{\mu B})+\sqrt{-h}(\partial_\alpha X^{\mu}\partial_\beta X_\mu+2i\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_{\alpha} \partial_{\beta} \psi_{\mu B})\right]
\Rightarrow T_{\alpha\beta}=\frac{4\pi}{\sqrt{-h}}\frac{\delta S}{\delta h^{\alpha\beta}} = \frac{1}{4}h_{\alpha\beta}h^{\epsilon\rho}( {\partial}_{\epsilon} X^{\mu} \partial_{\rho} X_\mu+2i\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_{\epsilon} \partial_{\rho} \psi_{\mu B})-\frac{1}{2}(\partial_\alpha X^{\mu}\partial_\beta X_\mu+2i\bar{\psi}^\mu\gamma_{\alpha} \partial_{\beta} \psi_{\mu B})

Unfortunately, that does not look like the given solution. Does anybody know what I did wrong or which other approach I could choose? I am very thenkful for any help. Also, I am grateful for any reference to literature.

physicus
 
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I don't know much about string theory, but are you sure the variation of gamma matrices vanishes? \frac{\delta \gamma^\rho}{\delta g^{\alpha \beta}}= 0 ?
 

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