Proving SuSy Algebra Fulfillment for Qa & Qb Commutation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the fulfillment of the supersymmetry (SuSy) algebra for specific representations of the SuSy generators, focusing on the anticommutation relations between the generators \( Q_a \) and \( \bar{Q}_{\dot{b}} \). Participants explore the mathematical expressions involved, including derivatives and spinor properties, while addressing uncertainties in their reasoning.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a representation for the SuSy generators and attempts to compute the anticommutation relation, expressing uncertainty about the correctness of their reasoning.
  • Another participant confirms that certain terms vanish due to the properties of anticommutation and the symmetry of partial derivatives, but challenges the handling of middle terms, suggesting a need for a specific form in the anticommutator.
  • A later reply clarifies the application of the chain rule when differentiating with respect to Grassmann variables, indicating that sign changes occur during this process.
  • Participants discuss the implications of derivatives acting on spinors and the resulting expressions, including the appearance of Kronecker deltas and the need for careful treatment of indices.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the vanishing of the first and last terms due to anticommutation and symmetry, but there is disagreement regarding the treatment of middle terms and the application of derivatives. The discussion remains unresolved as participants explore different approaches and reasoning.

Contextual Notes

Uncertainties exist regarding the treatment of Grassmann variables, the application of derivatives, and the implications of symmetry in the expressions. Participants express varying levels of confidence in their reasoning and calculations.

ChrisVer
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So I'm trying to show that one choice of representation for the SuSy generators fulfills the SuSy algebra... (one of which is \left\{ Q_{a},\bar{Q_{\dot{b}}} \right\}= 2 \sigma^{\mu}_{a\dot{b}} p_{\mu})...
For
Q_{a}= \partial_{a} - i σ^{μ}_{a\dot{β}} \bar{θ^{\dot{β}}} \partial_{\mu}

\bar{Q_{\dot{b}}}= -\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}} + i θ^{a}σ^{μ}_{a\dot{b}} \partial_{\mu}

I am not sure how I could go on with computing this anticommutation...

Q_{a}\bar{Q_{\dot{b}}}= (\partial_{a} - i (σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} \partial_{\mu})(-\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}} + i (θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}} \partial_{\mu})

Q_{a}\bar{Q_{\dot{b}}}= -\partial_{a}\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}}+\partial_{a} (θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}} p_{\mu}+(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a}\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}} p_{\mu}+(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} (θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}} ∂_{μ}∂_{ν}

In a similar way I can write:
\bar{Q_{\dot{b}}}Q_{a}= -\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}}\partial_{a}+\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}}(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} p_{\mu}+(θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}}\partial_{a}p_{\mu}+ (θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} ∂_{μ}∂_{ν}

Now the first terms after addition cancel because the grassmann derivatives are like spinor fields, so they anticommute:
\left\{ \partial_{a},\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}} \right\}=0
Is that a correct statement? (I think it is, but I am also asking)

The last terms give:
[(θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a}+(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} (θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}] ∂_{μ}∂_{ν}=0
I am saying it's equal to zero, because I'm again seeing the parenthesis (...) as spinors, so they anticomutte... and because the partial derivatives are symmetric under the interchange μ to ν, and the [...] is antisymmetric it's going to give zero:

[(θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a}+(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} (θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}] ∂_{μ}∂_{ν}=[(θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{ν}\bar{θ})_{a}+(σ^{ν}\bar{θ})_{a} (θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}}] ∂_{ν}∂_{μ}
=[-(σ^{ν}\bar{θ})_{a}(θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}}- (θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{ν}\bar{θ})_{a}] ∂_{ν}∂_{μ}
renaming again:

[(θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a}+(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} (θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}] ∂_{μ}∂_{ν}=-[(θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a}+(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a} (θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}] ∂_{μ}∂_{ν} =0


So far I am certain I'm on a correct way (because I don't want as a result the double derivatives-is it in spinor or lorentz spaces)... However I'm not certain about my reasonings... For example, in the last one, I also thought of writing:
(θσ^{ν})_{\dot{b}}(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a}=(θσ^{ν}\bar{1})(1σ^{μ}\bar{θ}) \propto n^{\mu\nu} (θ1)(\bar{1}\bar{θ})
But it wouldn't work out I think...I would also lose the spinoriac indices...


Then I have the middle terms:

[\partial_{a} (θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}} +(σ^{μ}\bar{θ})_{a}\bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}}+ \bar{\partial_{\dot{b}}} (σ^{μ} \bar{θ})_{a} +(θσ^{μ})_{\dot{b}}\partial_{a}]p_{\mu}
And here I'd like to ask, if you have any suggestion of how this can work out... I'd really appreciate it...
 
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Does for example, in the 1st term in the last expression, the derivative act on θ? (to give a delta Kroenicker)...
But then I'm not sure about the derivatives appearing on the left...
Also I could try acting with that thing on some spinors (for example a θ\bar{θ} and use a chain rule derivative?)...But I am not sure if the dotted derivatives "see" the undotted spinors and the opposite...
 
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You are right about the first and last term, they vanish as per requirement of anticommutation and symmetry of partial derivative respectively. But you are making mistakes with middle terms, you should write them in the anticommutator form like one of the term is,
##i\left\{∂_a,θ^cσ^v_{cḃ}∂_v\right\}=i(∂_aθ^c)σ^v_{cḃ}∂_v-(iθ^cσ^v_{cḃ}∂_v)∂_a+(iθ^cσ^v_{cḃ}∂_v)∂_a=i(∂_aθ^c)σ^v_{cḃ}∂_v=iδ^c_aσ^v_{cḃ}∂_v##, because as you pass the derivative w.r.t. grassmann variable through a grassmann variable, there is a sign change and hence the second term. Similar term arises from differentiation w.r.t. ##{\dot{b}}##,which combined with above give desired result.
 
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So in fact, you did a chain rule in the 1st two terms- first the derivative acting on the spinor \theta and then acting on "something" that will appear next... correct?
I understand that since
\partial_{a} (\theta^{b} \theta^{c})= \delta_{a}^{b} \theta^{c} - \theta^{b} \delta_{a}^{c}
there also appears the minus
 
Yes.
 

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