Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2003 iii Paper 53 5 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
A scalar superfield transformation is a pullback under a supertranslation. Since that transformation mixes and , an odd-coordinate derivative acquires an extra spacetime-derivative term under the coordinate Jacobian. It therefore does not transform as a spinor superfield merely by differentiating the scalar transformation law. This is partial derivatives and superfield covariance.
For explicit signs, split the Majorana spinor coordinates into and use left Grassmann derivatives. Choose the differential generatorsFor example, , which is nonzero. Commuting the even supersymmetry variation through consequently gives the unwanted translation term.
Replace the ordinary odd-coordinate derivatives by the supersymmetric covariant derivativesThe graded product rule cancels the mixed coordinate/derivative terms, giving . Thus and transform as spinor superfields. Their own mixed algebra is , with equal-chirality anticommutators zero. This covariant differentiation is also what makes a chiral superfield constraint supersymmetry invariant. Negating every barred derivative is another convention, but changes the displayed mixed-algebra sign.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 307 1 v Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Use left Grassmann derivatives and place the odd constant transformation parameters on the left. A scalar superfield transformation can be writtenEquivalently, pull back the scalar function under the infinitesimal superspace translationThe term involving has the displayed sign because interchanging it with reverses the sign in the Grassmann algebra. Overall factors of in the definition of the supercharges can be changed together without changing this coordinate transformation.
For two even scalar superfields , the odd generators obey the graded Leibniz rule, while the full parameter-weighted variation is even. ThusThis is precisely the transformation of a product of scalar superfields. The finite version is even clearer: if and for the same transformed superspace point, then . No new representation law is required.
The expression needs a distinction between a configuration and a closed field content. As a function on superspace, it is a valid special configuration of an unconstrained superfield. But its variation isFor nonconstant , this generates nonzero components depending on Grassmann variables. Therefore the pure-scalar truncation is not a supersymmetric multiplet: an isolated spacetime scalar field with all its partners permanently set to zero is not closed under supersymmetry. This is the pure-scalar truncation of a superfield. A constant gauge-singlet is the trivial invariant exception. Calling a special superfield configuration is consistent; claiming that its restricted field content remains a superfield representation is not.