Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2002/iii/paper-68/1/d/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 iii Paper 68 1 d Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
In the supersymmetric Higgs mechanism, an internal gauge symmetry is broken by a charged scalar field expectation value while supersymmetry can remain unbroken. A massless vector multiplet absorbs a chiral multiplet to form a massive N=1 vector multiplet: the vector absorbs a scalar Goldstone boson, and the gaugino and matter fermion acquire the matching masses. In the super-Higgs mechanism, local supersymmetry itself is spontaneously broken: the gravitino absorbs the spin- Goldstino and becomes a massive spin- particle. In a flat vacuum this increases its physical states from two to four.
New to topics? Read the docs here!