What Happens When the Inverse Kahler Metric is Singular?

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The discussion centers on the implications of a singular inverse Kahler metric in the context of supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking, particularly referencing the work of Seiberg and Nelson. The redefinition of fields leads to complications when the field T equals zero, resulting in a non-canonical normalization that affects the scalar potential. Specifically, the scalar potential becomes problematic as the Kahler metric transitions from flat to singular, indicating that SUSY is broken. The user seeks clarification on how to interpret SUSY breaking in relation to the new fields derived from the singular metric.

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  • Understanding of supersymmetry (SUSY) and its breaking mechanisms
  • Familiarity with Kahler metrics and their role in scalar potentials
  • Knowledge of chiral superfields and superpotential formulations
  • Basic grasp of the ORaifeartaigh model in theoretical physics
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The discussion is beneficial for theoretical physicists, particularly those specializing in supersymmetry, quantum field theory, and the mathematical foundations of particle physics.

BenTheMan
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If you want some background on this question (i.e. why I'm asking), let me know.

But either way, this is a basic (stupid) question: what happens if you calculate the inverse Kahler metric and it's singular?
 
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Ok, a bit more details. And I think I see the problem.

Seiberg and Nelson claim that U(1)R -> broken SUSY, except in some special cases. This proof hinges on a redefinition of fields so that you can factor the superpotential into a part that has R charge and one that doesn't:

W = T f(a,b,c,...)

where T has r charge 2, and all of the other fields have r charge 0. What I didn't realize an hour ago is that this redefinition probably means that your fields aren't canonically normalized---i.e. at least ONE of them looks like A/X, where A and X are two chiral superfields.

You run into problems when T = 0...specifically, when T = 0, it could be that some other field, say a, can be zero, eg a = 0, and you can satisfy the F=0 constraints with a good U(1)R, so you might be fooled and think that you have a SUSY ground state. In the specific example I'm looking at (and probably more generally), a = A/x and T = X (this is a simple ORaifeartaigh model):

[tex]\mathcal{W} =\frac{1}{2} h X A^2 + mAB + gX[/tex].

In terms of the new fields:

[tex]\mathcal{W} = T \{\frac{1}{2}h a^2 + mab + g \},[/tex]

where g is the dimensionful constant, not a field!

Anyway, this means that when you now compute the scalar potential, you have to write

[tex]V \sim F_i \bar{F}_{\bar{j}} K^{i\bar{j}}[/tex]

i.e. the Kahler metric is no longer flat. In the case I am describing, when T = 0, the new Kahler metric (in terms of non-canonical fields) is now singular.

So it seems I have a bit of a hole: I know that F = 0, but K = infinity. Obviously something weird is happening. In terms of the original OR model, SUSY is clearly broken (SUSY is broken everywhere). But how do I see that SUSY breaking in terms of the new fields?

I suspect that there's something to do with a singular Kahler matrix, but I'd like a reference to a paper, or a gentle pat on the head with a "Good boy", or something.
 
Last edited:
Grrr...

Is it a bad question, or does no one know the answer? Feel free to tell me I'm a dumbass :)
 

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