Grassmann variables and Weyl spinors

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the formalism of supersymmetry, specifically focusing on the properties of Grassmann variables and Weyl spinors within the context of vector superfields. Participants explore the commutation and anticommutation relations involving these mathematical objects.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the relationship between Grassmann variables and Weyl spinor components, questioning whether they commute or anticommute.
  • Another participant asserts that Weyl spinor components are Grassmann variables and therefore anticommute with other Grassmann variables.
  • A participant raises a related question about the result of a specific commutator/anticommutator involving Grassmann variables and derivatives.
  • Another reply suggests using the anticommutation properties of the Grassmann variables to form an orthogonal basis for the fermionic part of superspace.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the anticommutation property of Grassmann variables, but there is some disagreement regarding the terminology used to describe Weyl spinor components and their classification.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions and properties of the terms used, such as "Weyl vector" versus "Weyl spinor," and the implications of these definitions on the discussion of commutation relations.

302021895
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
I just started studying supersymmetry, but I am a little bit confused with the superspace and superfield formalism. When expanding the vector superfield in components, one obtains therms of the form [itex]\theta^{\alpha}\chi_{\alpha}[/itex], where [itex]\theta[/itex] is a Grassmann number and [itex]\chi[/itex] is a Weyl vector.

I am aware that Grassmann numbers anticommute [itex]\{\theta_{\alpha},\theta_{\beta}\}=0[/itex], and that ordinary numbers commute with Grassmann variables. Do Weyl spinor components commute or anticommute with the Grassmann variables? ([itex]\{\theta_{\alpha},\chi_{\beta}\}=0[/itex] or [itex][\theta_{\alpha},\chi_{\beta}]=0[/itex]).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Weyl spinor components are Grassman variables. As such they anticommute with other Grassman variables.

I'm not sure why you call the chi a "Weyl vector". The vector superfield V is not a vector, but it describes a vector multiplet and as such contains a field [itex]v_{\mu}[/itex] which is a spacetime vector.
 
Hi!
I have a similar problem: what is the result of a commutator/anticommutator like this?
[itex]\left\{ \left( \gamma^{\mu} \theta \right)_{\alpha} \partial_{\mu} , \frac{\partial}{\partial \bar{\theta}^{\beta} } \right\}[/itex]
Thank you
 
Use that the theta's (both the parameters and derivatives wrt them) anticommute and form an orthogonal basis for the fermionic part of superspace.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K