R. Grimm

Consistency checks on the superspace formulation of supergravity

Abstract The equations which formulate supergravity in superspace are analyzed and reduced to a simpler set of superfield equations. These are shown to satisfy the standard consistency checks. In the linearized approximation these new equations agree with a recent formulation of linearized supergravity.

A complete solution of the Bianchi identities in superspace with supergravity constraints

Abstract A short discussion of the superspace formulation of supergravity is given and the Bianchi identities are derived. The supergravity constraints are imposed and the identities are solved in terms of superfields and their covariant derivatives.

Linear supermultiplets and non-holomorphic gauge coupling functions☆☆☆

Abstract We construct the general couplings of linear multiplets, including Chern-Simons forms, to chiral matter as well as to the standard supergravity-matter system. Insisting on a canonically normalized Einstein term we discuss in particular the appearance of non-holomorphic gauge couplings and perform duality transformations in full generality. We present the implications of these structures for the effective description of sigma model anomalies, with and without coupling to supergravity, following recent proposals of Derendinger, Ferrara, Kounnas and Zwirner and of Cardoso and Ovrut.

Antisymmetric tensor gauge potential in curved superspace and a 16 + 16 supergravity multiplet

Abstract Superspace constraints which reduce the non-minimal (20 + 20) supergravity multiplet to a (16 + 16) multiplet are obtained by specifying the superspace geometry of a two form gauge potential. The multiplet, its transformation laws and its invariant action are given. For n = − 1 2 this multiplet describes the truncation of a N = 4 extended supergravity with anti-symmetric gauge potential.

Kahler Transformations and the Coupling of Matter and {Yang-Mills} Fields to Supergravity

Abstract It is demonstrated that a geometric interpretation of Kahler transformation in superspace allows to onstruct the full action for matter and Yang-Mills fields coupled to supergravity in a concise way, both in terms of superfields and component fields.

Coupling the antisymmetric tensor to the supergravity-matter system

Abstract The description of the antisymmetric tensor gauge field with Chern-Simons forms in Kahler superspace is used to derive a particular coupling of the antisymmetric tensor to the general supergravity-matter system in terms of superfields as well as component fields. The construction is performed directly in terms of the linear multiplet. The proper duality transformations are presented at the full superfield level. General couplings are shortly discussed.

BRS symmetry of supergravity in superspace and its projection to component formalism

Abstract The BRS symmetry of supergravity theories is geometrically constructed in superspace. The construction is formally identical to the one which holds for gauge theories coupled to gravity. If the classical superspace constraints associated to a given set of auxiliary fields are known it is possible to obtain by projection the whole set of BRS transformation laws in component formalism. We illustrate the method with various representations of N = 1, D = 4 Poincare supergravity. In particular we consider couplings of Chern-Simons forms. Our analysis proves the absence of U(1) anomaly in the new minimal supergravity for any coupling of matter fields.

Beltrami parametrization for superstrings

Abstract We introduce a parametrization of the metric and supersymmetry structure of the superstring world sheet which permits the derivation of the superstring action for general backgrounds. Factorization is explicit at each step of the construction.

N=1 supergravity. Topological classes and superspace geometry in four dimensions

Abstract We draw attention to a close analogy between curvature-squared terms and the three-form gauge potential in superspace and discuss the supersymmetric extensions of gravitational Chern-Simons and Euler forms, with comments on the corresponding Green-Schwarz mechanisms.

Left-right asymmetric conformal anomalies

Abstract Using Beltrami variables, the shift between local Lorentz-Weyl anomalies and diffeomorphism anomalies is explicated. Left-right symmetric as well as asymmetric conformal anomalies are cancelled by introducing various types of compensating fields.