Ghost-free vector superfield actions in supersymmetric higher-derivative theories

Aug 17, 2017
17 pages
Published in:
  • JHEP 09 (2017) 143
  • Published: Sep 27, 2017
e-Print:

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Abstract: (Springer)
We systematically construct ghost-free higher-derivative actions of Abelian vector supermultiplets in four-dimensional N=1 \mathcal{N}=1 global supersymmetric theories. After giving a simple example which illustrates that a naive introduction of a higher-derivative term gives rise to a ghost, we discuss possible building blocks for a ghost-free action and explicitly show that their bosonic parts have no ghost mode and the auxiliary field D does not propagate. Higher-derivative terms yield higher powers of the auxiliary field D in the actions, and the D-term equations of motion consequently admit multiple solutions in general. We confirm that the well-known supersymmetric Dirac-Born-Infeld action falls into this class. We further give another example in which the standard quadratic kinetic term (Maxwell term) is corrected by a quartic term of the field strength. We also discuss possible couplings to matter fields and a deformed D-term potential.
Note:
  • 17 pages; v3: references added, published version
  • Supersymmetric Effective Theories
  • Supersymmetric Gauge Theory
  • derivative: high
  • superfield: vector
  • potential: D-term
  • dimension: 4
  • supersymmetry
  • ghost
  • field equations
  • field strength