On the Refined Index of BPS states

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the evaluation of the refined index for a vector supermultiplet, specifically addressing the trace calculation for a half vector multiplet. The result is established as $$ Tr_{H'} (-y)^{2J_3'} = - y - y^{-1} $$, where the primes indicate the removal of a half hypermultiplet. The participant raises critical questions regarding the inclusion of helicity states and the interpretation of the trace, particularly concerning the definitions of $J_3'$ and the contributions from various helicity states.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of supermultiplet structures in theoretical physics
  • Familiarity with helicity states and their representations
  • Knowledge of refined index calculations in supersymmetry
  • Proficiency in mathematical notation used in theoretical physics, particularly in quantum field theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the refined index in supersymmetry, focusing on vector supermultiplets
  • Examine the implications of CPT symmetry in multiplet structures
  • Learn about the role of helicity in particle physics and its mathematical representation
  • Investigate the derivation of trace formulas in quantum field theory
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in supersymmetry, quantum field theory, and particle physics. It is also relevant for graduate students and researchers looking to deepen their understanding of vector supermultiplet structures and refined index calculations.

kdv
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I am trying to reproduce a very simple result that involved evaluating the refined index for a vector supermultiplet but ran into a snag. I hope someone will be able to clear that up easily.

Apparently for a half vector multiplet (meaning that we do not include the CPT conjugated states), the result is (see 0912.1346, equations 3.1 to 3.3):

$$ Tr_{H'} (-y)^{2J_3'} = - y - y^{-1} $$

Here the primes indicate that we must remove from the state a half hypermultiplet, in other words
$$ H = H' \otimes \biggl( [\frac{1}{2}] + 2 [0] \biggr) $$

Now, unless I am mistaken, a half hypermultiplet has two states of helicity 1/2 and two of helicity zero.
And a half vector multiplet has one h=1, two h=1/2 and 1 h=0.

My questions are:

1) First they say that all multiplets contain at least a half hypermultiplet...but I don't see this in the vector multiplet since it has fewer h=0 states than a hypermultiplet.

2) How do they get the trace to be $$ -y-y^{-1}??$$ Clearly they consider only the values $$J_3'=\pm 1/2$$ but why ? My guess was that by J_3' they mean half the helicity, and if I consider the two helicities of a spin 1 particle, I would then get their result , but this leads to several questions:

I) Why would J_3' mean half the helicity?

II) Why would we consider the helicities + 1 and -1 if we are talking about half a vector multiplet? We should not be including the CPT conjugate, I thought?!

III) How does one get rid of the spin 1/2 and spin zero contributions, exactly? It seems to work for the spin 1/2 (vector and hypermultiplets have the same number of h=1/2 components) but it does not work for the h=0 states.

Thanks in advance
 
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kdv said:
I am trying to reproduce a very simple result that involved evaluating the refined index for a vector supermultiplet but ran into a snag. I hope someone will be able to clear that up easily.

Apparently for a half vector multiplet (meaning that we do not include the CPT conjugated states), the result is (see 0912.1346, equations 3.1 to 3.3):

$$ Tr_{H'} (-y)^{2J_3'} = - y - y^{-1} $$

Here the primes indicate that we must remove from the state a half hypermultiplet, in other words
$$ H = H' \otimes \biggl( [\frac{1}{2}] + 2 [0] \biggr) $$

Now, unless I am mistaken, a half hypermultiplet has two states of helicity 1/2 and two of helicity zero.
And a half vector multiplet has one h=1, two h=1/2 and 1 h=0.

My questions are:

1) First they say that all multiplets contain at least a half hypermultiplet...but I don't see this in the vector multiplet since it has fewer h=0 states than a hypermultiplet.

2) How do they get the trace to be $$ -y-y^{-1}??$$ Clearly they consider only the values $$J_3'=\pm 1/2$$ but why ? My guess was that by J_3' they mean half the helicity, and if I consider the two helicities of a spin 1 particle, I would then get their result , but this leads to several questions:

I) Why would J_3' mean half the helicity?

II) Why would we consider the helicities + 1 and -1 if we are talking about half a vector multiplet? We should not be including the CPT conjugate, I thought?!

III) How does one get rid of the spin 1/2 and spin zero contributions, exactly? It seems to work for the spin 1/2 (vector and hypermultiplets have the same number of h=1/2 components) but it does not work for the h=0 states.

Thanks in advance
I have my questions. To get the vector multiplet, we must take H' to be [1/2]. Indeed,
$$ [\frac{1}{2}] \otimes \biggl( [\frac{1}{2}] + 2 [0] \biggr) = [1] + [0] + 2 [\frac{1}{2}] $$ which is the particle content of a vector supermultiplet. It's that simple.
 

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