Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2001/iii/paper-65/1/ii/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2001 iii Paper 65 1 ii Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
A BPS state saturates a supersymmetry energy bound and is annihilated by some supercharges. For a massive state with one relevant central charge in supersymmetry, normalize the supersymmetry algebra by . In its rest frame, appropriate linear combinations of supercharges have anticommutators and . Positivity therefore gives the BPS bound in supersymmetry . At equality, the latter combinations have zero norm and annihilate the state, producing a shortened supermultiplet and preserved supersymmetry. With the alternative convention omitting the factor in the central-charge anticommutator, the bound reads . The mass is tied to the charge, but this does not imply unconditional stability against decay as parameters vary.
New to topics? Read the docs here!