Chiral superfield

A chiral superfield obeys ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}\Phi =0$. In chiral coordinates $y^{\mu }=x^{\mu }+i\bar{\theta }{\bar{\sigma }}^{\mu }\theta$ it expands as

A chiral spinor superfield carries a Spinor representation of the Lorentz group index and satisfies ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}{\Psi }_{\beta }=0$. The chiral field-strength superfield is a fermionic example: its lowest component is the Weyl spinor gaugino. Its spinor index distinguishes it from a scalar chiral superfield, even though both obey the same chirality constraint.

A nonsingular holomorphic function of chiral superfields remains chiral because ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}f(\Phi )={\sum }_i{f}_i(\Phi ){\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}{\Phi }_i=0$. Dependence on conjugate superfields generally destroys the constraint. This explains the holomorphic form of a superpotential.

For $X=x+\sqrt{2}\theta G+{\theta }^{2}F$, the nilpotency condition gives $x^2=xG=0$ and $2xF=GG$. On the branch with invertible commuting part of $F$, $x=GG/(2F)$, while the goldstino $G$ and auxiliary field $F$ are independent. Products of three identical two-component odd spinor entries vanish, verifying the remaining constraints. The scalar is therefore composite. The branch hypothesis matters: $X=0$ also obeys the constraint and need not break supersymmetry.

With $X^2=0$ and invertible $F_X$, the additional chiral superfield $Y=y+\sqrt{2}\theta \chi +{\theta }^2{F}_Y$ satisfying $XY=0$ has $y=(G\chi )/F_X-(GG)F_Y/(2F_X^2)$. Its Weyl spinor $\chi$ and auxiliary field $F_Y$ remain independent. This eliminates the independent scalar. It does not force $Y^2=0$.

On the invertible-$F_X$ branch, use $y=(G\chi )/F_X-(GG)F_Y/(2F_X^2)$ and the two-component Grassmann algebra identity $(G\chi {)}^2=-\frac{1}{2}(GG)(\chi \chi )$. Then $y^2=-(GG)(\chi \chi )/(2F_X^2)$, $y^3=y^2\chi =0$ and $y^2{F}_Y-y\chi \chi =0$. These are the components of $Y^3=0$. Generally $y^2$ is nonzero, so cubic nilpotency must not be replaced by quadratic nilpotency. The allowed analytic holomorphic monomials are $1,X,Y,Y^2$.

An antichiral superfield obeys $D_{\alpha }{\Phi }^{†}=0$ and is the Hermitian conjugate of a chiral superfield. It depends naturally on ${\bar{y}}^{\mu }=x^{\mu }-i\theta {\sigma }^{\mu }\bar{\theta }$ and $\bar{\theta }$.

Supersymmetric covariant derivatives anticommute with the supersymmetry generators. Their antichiral member defines a chiral superfield through ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}\Phi =0$.

In flat four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetry, let ${\bar{D}}^2={\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}{\bar{D}}^{\dot{\alpha }}$, contracting the two spinor indices with the antisymmetric epsilon invariant tensor. The supercovariant derivative algebra with left derivatives has $\{{\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }},{\bar{D}}_{\dot{\beta }}\}=0$. There are only two dotted components, so every product of three barred derivatives repeats one component and vanishes. Therefore ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}{\bar{D}}^{2}X=0$ for any superfield $X$: ${\bar{D}}^{2}X$ is a chiral superfield. This map is called chiral projection, although ${\bar{D}}^2$ is not an idempotent projector.

If $\Phi$ is a chiral superfield, holomorphic closure of chiral superfields also makes $W^{\prime }(\Phi )$ chiral. Thus an equation ${\bar{D}}^2{\Phi }^{†}=4W^{\prime }(\Phi )$ is consistent with the chiral constraint: applying any ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}$ gives zero on both sides. Both sides are scalar superfields, and the squared supersymmetric covariant derivative commutes with the supercharges, so the equation is Lorentz invariant and supersymmetry covariant.

For left Grassmann derivatives and $D_{\alpha }={\partial }_{\alpha }+i({\sigma }^{\mu }\bar{\theta }{)}_{\alpha }{\partial }_{\mu }$, ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}=-{\bar{\partial }}_{\dot{\alpha }}-i(\theta {\sigma }^{\mu }{)}_{\dot{\alpha }}{\partial }_{\mu }$, the coordinate $y^{\mu }=x^{\mu }+i\theta {\sigma }^{\mu }\bar{\theta }$ gives $D_{\alpha }={\partial }_{\alpha }{|}_y+2i({\sigma }^{\mu }\bar{\theta }{)}_{\alpha }{\partial }_{y^{\mu }}$ and ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}=-{\bar{\partial }}_{\dot{\alpha }}{|}_y$. The odd chain rule gives ${\bar{\partial }}_{\dot{\alpha }}(\theta {\sigma }^{\mu }\bar{\theta })=-(\theta {\sigma }^{\mu }{)}_{\dot{\alpha }}$. A chiral superfield is consequently independent of $\bar{\theta }$ at fixed $y$.

For left Grassmann derivatives, choose $D_{\alpha }={\partial }_{\alpha }+i{\sigma }_{\alpha \dot{\beta }}^{\mu }{\bar{\theta }}^{\dot{\beta }}{\partial }_{\mu }$ and ${\bar{D}}_{\dot{\alpha }}={\bar{\partial }}_{\dot{\alpha }}+i{\theta }^{\beta }{\sigma }_{\beta \dot{\alpha }}^{\mu }{\partial }_{\mu }$. Differentiating the other operator's odd coefficient gives two equal contributions to the mixed anticommutator; coefficient-coefficient terms cancel by the Grassmann algebra. Thus the mixed anticommutator is $2i{\sigma }^{\mu }{\partial }_{\mu }$, while equal-chirality ones vanish. Also $\bar{D}(x+i\theta \sigma \bar{\theta })=0$, giving the coordinates used in the chiral-superfield component expansion. Negating the barred derivative negates the mixed algebra.

With left Grassmann derivatives, a chiral superfield is a finite expansion in chiral coordinates $y^{\mu }=x^{\mu }+i\theta {\sigma }^{\mu }\bar{\theta }$:Here $\varphi$ is a complex scalar field, $\psi$ a Weyl spinor and $F$ an auxiliary field. The translation form of its ordinary-coordinate expansion isThe exponential terminates in the Grassmann algebra. To reduce its contractions, choose signature $(+---)$, ${\sigma }^{\mu }=(I,\mathbf{\sigma })$, left differentiation, and ${ϵ}_{12}=1$ for both lower spinor epsilon tensors. Define ${\theta }^2={\theta }^{\alpha }{\theta }_{\alpha }$ and ${\bar{\theta }}^2={\bar{\theta }}_{\dot{\alpha }}{\bar{\theta }}^{\dot{\alpha }}$. Then $v^{\mu }=\theta {\sigma }^{\mu }\bar{\theta }$ satisfies $v^{\mu }{v}^{\nu }=\frac{1}{2}{\theta }^2{\bar{\theta }}^2{\eta }^{\mu \nu }$. Expanding the translation givesThe last sign follows from $i^2/2=-1/2$ in the translation expansion. Defining the barred square in the reverse order, ${\bar{\theta }}^{\dot{\alpha }}{\bar{\theta }}_{\dot{\alpha }}$, negates it and writes the same term with a positive quarter coefficient. Spinor contractions and the Grassmann algebra convention must therefore accompany the reduced formula.

An auxiliary field has no kinetic term and can be eliminated algebraically. The complex field $F$ in a chiral superfield balances bosonic and fermionic degrees of freedom off shell.

A superpotential is a holomorphic function of chiral superfields integrated over chiral superspace, $\int d^2\theta W+h.c.$

Adding a constant to a global superpotential does not change the component action because the chiral superspace integral of that constant vanishes. Neither the F-term scalar potential nor the fermion mass matrix depends on it. This statement does not extend to supergravity, where the superpotential itself enters the gravitational potential.

For a canonical chiral superfield, an affine translation $\Phi =\Psi +s$ preserves the kinetic action up to a vanishing full-superspace term. It removes the linear superpotential term exactly when $s$ is a critical point. For $W=\alpha +\kappa \Phi +m{\Phi }^2/2+g{\Phi }^3/6$, the shifted quadratic coefficient is $M=m+gs$ with $M^2=m^2-2g\kappa$. A real shift requires a real root; the complex field permits a complex shift as well.

For canonically normalized chiral superfields, the fermion bilinear is $-\frac{1}{2}{W}_{ij}{\psi }_i{\psi }_j+h.c.$ at the chosen vacuum. Its matrix is complex symmetric. The nonnegative physical Weyl spinor masses are its singular values, and their squared sum is $\mathrm{tr}(m^{†}m)$. Using signed eigenvalues of a symmetric mass matrix instead can obscure the physical mass count.

An F-term is the highest ${\theta }^2$ component of a chiral superfield, equivalently an integral over chiral half of superspace. Its supersymmetry variation is a spacetime total derivative.

For canonical global supersymmetry, eliminating the auxiliary fields gives

A chiral superfield has a complex scalar. Minimizing its potential only on the real axis can miss supersymmetric vacua. For example $W^{\prime }(\phi )=1+{\phi }^2$ has positive potential $(1+x^2{)}^2$ for real $x$, yet its complex vacua $\phi =\pm i$ have zero energy. Supersymmetry breaking must therefore be tested in the full complex field space, not inferred from a positive minimum on an arbitrarily chosen real slice.

For canonical positive kinetic terms in global supersymmetry, $V={\sum }_k|W_k{|}^2$ has mixed Hessian matrix $V_{i\bar{j}}={\sum }_k{W}_{ki}\overline{W_{kj}}$ and holomorphic block $V_{ij}={\sum }_k\overline{W_k}{W}_{kij}$. The $2n$ real scalar squared-mass sum is $2\mathrm{tr}(m^{†}m)$ for the chiral-superfield fermion mass matrix $m=W_{ij}$. Each Weyl spinor contributes two states, giving the same fermion weighted sum. Thus their boson-minus-fermion supertrace vanishes even with F-term breaking. The holomorphic Hessian splits real scalar masses without changing their sum. Noncanonical Kähler metrics, supergravity, and radiative corrections require different formulas.

Canonical gauge interactions preserve the tree-level supertrace mass sum rule at a vacuum with vanishing D-terms. Put $C={\sum }_a{g}_a^2\Vert T_{a}v{\Vert }^2$ for the scalar expectation vector $v$. The extra real-scalar squared-mass trace is $2C$, the extra Weyl spinor squared-mass trace from gaugino mixing is $4C$, and the gauge boson squared-mass trace is $2C$. Their spin-weighted supertrace is $2C-2(4C)+3(2C)=0$. The scalar contribution comes from differentiating $\frac{1}{2}{\sum }_a{D}_a^2$; the fermionic one counts both blocks of the symmetric mixing matrix with entries $\sqrt{2}{g}_a{T}_{a}v$; the vector one follows from the covariant scalar kinetic term. Any zero-mass Goldstone bosons in the unreduced scalar Hessian do not change its trace.

The local Wilsonian effective action superpotential receives no perturbative corrections when supersymmetry is preserved, an infrared cutoff is retained and the same elementary fields are kept. The spurion selection rule for perturbative non-renormalization gives a holomorphy proof. The Kähler potential and physical couplings after wave-function renormalization can change; genuine nonperturbative superpotential terms require a separate analysis.

In a supersymmetry-preserving local Wilsonian effective action, the gauge kinetic function receives only a one-loop perturbative correction. For one simple gauge factor, $\mu df/d\mu =b_0/(8{\pi }^2)$ with $b_0=3C_2(G)-{\sum }_{i}T(R_i)$. A perturbative shift of the topological angle leaves the running coefficient invariant; the Cauchy-Riemann equations then make its holomorphic beta function independent of the gauge coupling. Holomorphic regularity and spurionic R-charges exclude higher-loop Yukawa combinations, which would require antichiral couplings. The constant is fixed by one-loop matching. This does not assert one-loop exactness of a canonically normalized physical coupling, or forbid nonperturbative terms.

// Target: quantum-field-theory.bigb

Local Wilsonian superpotential coefficients can have no perturbative vertex corrections while the Kähler potential undergoes wave-function renormalization. Canonical normalization then converts a quadratic coefficient $m$ and cubic coefficient $g$ to the displayed running coefficients. Non-renormalization of a holomorphic F-term is therefore compatible with running physical masses and interactions. The distinction requires keeping a local Wilsonian effective action separate from infrared-singular one-particle-irreducible effects and from eliminating entire massive fields.

A holomorphy argument treats couplings as chiral spurions and constrains the Wilsonian effective action superpotential to be a holomorphic function with the required ordinary charges and R-charges. Perturbative regularity in the couplings can then rule out new terms and loop corrections to the existing superpotential.

For quadratic and cubic interactions, assigning the couplings chiral spurion transformations makes each monomial formally covariant. The ordinary $U(1)$ leaves $\theta$ neutral, while the R-symmetry gives it charge one and the superpotential charge two. The neutral ratio $g\Phi /m$ and the covariant factor $m{\Phi }^2$ give the symmetry-allowed holomorphic form $m{\Phi }^{2}f(g\Phi /m)$. Perturbative regularity and tree matching are additionally needed for superpotential non-renormalization; symmetry alone leaves an arbitrary function. Fixed numerical couplings need not enjoy these formal symmetries as actual field symmetries.

In the local Wilsonian effective action, retain the elementary chiral superfields and a nonzero infrared cutoff. Promote each coefficient in $W={\sum }_A{\lambda }_A{\mathcal{O}}_A(\Phi )$ to a chiral spurion. Holomorphy excludes ${\bar{\lambda }}_A$. Assigning $R({\Phi }_i)=0$ and $R({\lambda }_A)=2$ forces a regular perturbative term of R-charge two to be linear in these spurions. Ordinary flavor charges constrain its field monomial. The perturbative gauge-coupling independence of the Wilsonian superpotential removes gauge-dependent coefficients. With the gauge coupling zero, a single holomorphic vertex cannot close a loop through free $\Phi$-${\Phi }^{†}$ propagators; extra vertices would violate the spurion degree or holomorphy. Its coefficient is therefore the tree coefficient. Gauge anomalies of the formal R-symmetry are tracked by a transforming holomorphic gauge coupling. Keeping the infrared cutoff matters: singular one-particle-irreducible terms and elimination of entire massive fields are different operations.

The background-field holomorphy method is discussed in Seiberg's non-renormalization paper.

The holomorphic coupling is $\tau =\vartheta /(2\pi )+4\pi i/g^2$. Perturbative coefficients are independent of the topological angle $\vartheta$. A holomorphic function invariant under continuous shifts of $\mathrm{Re}\tau$ is constant by the Cauchy-Riemann equations, hence a perturbative local superpotential coefficient cannot depend on $\tau$. Terms in $e^{2\pi i\tau }$ can evade this argument nonperturbatively. This does not forbid renormalization of the separate gauge kinetic F-term, or wave-function renormalization from the Kähler potential.

The Kähler potential is a real function integrated over full superspace. The canonical choice $K={\Phi }^{†}\Phi$ gives canonical kinetic terms.

Adding a holomorphic function $f$ and its conjugate does not change the Kähler metric. In global supersymmetry, these terms integrate to zero in the D-term action. In Planck-unit supergravity, the simultaneous transformation $W\mapsto e^{-f}W$ leaves the scalar potential invariant; shifting $K$ while holding $W$ fixed generally does not.

A D-term is a full superspace integration of a real superfield. In four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetry, a Kähler potential contributes a D-term containing kinetic terms and quadratic auxiliary field terms.