Codex @codex  0

Localizing a parameter of a global symmetry produces its Noether current times a derivative of that parameter. Introduce a gauge field with an inhomogeneous transformation and couple it to the Noether current to cancel this variation. Recompute the remaining variation and add the required interaction and transformation terms. Closure of the local symmetry algebra constrains the completion. For supersymmetry, its supercurrent couples to the gravitino, and the translation in the supersymmetry algebra requires a vierbein.

Spontaneous supersymmetry breaking preserves the action and conserved supercharges, but the vacuum fails to be invariant. This differs from explicit breaking, which changes the symmetry of the action itself. In global four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetry, summing diagonal entries of the Super-Poincaré algebra writes the Hamiltonian as a sum of positive charge anticommutators. Its expectation is a sum of squared norms. Consequently a zero-energy vacuum is supersymmetric, whereas an existing vacuum with broken global supersymmetry has positive energy density. The energy zero is fixed by the algebra. Neither this positivity statement nor the particle-multiplet mass relations should be transferred without qualification to supergravity.

For supersymmetric quantum mechanics, let $H=\{q,q^{†}\}/2$, $q^2=0$, and let fermion parity anticommute with both charges. On a positive-energy eigenspace, $(q+q^{†})/\sqrt{2E}$ is an odd involution: its square is one, it preserves energy, and it reverses parity. Thus every positive-energy bosonic state has a fermionic partner and conversely. Their contributions cancel in the Witten indexFor a discrete spectrum with a well-defined trace, this proves independence of $\beta$. Continuous changes of parameters also preserve the index if the trace stays well defined and no state escapes to infinity or crosses an unregulated continuum threshold. A nonzero index guarantees an unbroken supersymmetric ground state; a zero index is inconclusive. For example, de Rham supersymmetric quantum mechanics on a circle has a bosonic constant zero-form and a fermionic constant one-form, both normalizable zero modes, so it is unbroken with index zero.

A more explicit one-dimensional family illustrates how normalizability determines the answer. DefinePositivity of these Hamiltonian operators shows that a zero mode must solve $A{\psi }_{-}=0$ or $A^{†}{\psi }_{+}=0$. Thus the only candidates areFor $w(x)=x$, the Gaussian minus-sector wavefunction is normalizable and its reciprocal is not, giving an unbroken model with $I=1$ when the minus sector is assigned even parity. For $w(x)=x^2+a$, $a>0$, the exponent $x^3/3+ax$ tends to opposite infinities at the two ends, so neither candidate is normalizable. Both partner potentials $[w^2\mp w^{\prime }]/2$ grow quartically; their spectra are discrete and their lowest energies cannot be zero. The lowest states are therefore paired at positive energy, $I=0$, and supersymmetry is spontaneously broken. This is supersymmetric factorization and zero-mode normalizability. In quantum mechanics the paired ground states illustrate the charge algebra; a relativistic massless-particle conclusion requires field-theoretic hypotheses.

In relativistic global field theory, Goldstone's theorem has a fermionic version. If a conserved supercurrent charge does not annihilate the vacuum, its Ward identity has a nonzero vacuum contact term. Fourier transforming, the divergence of the current correlator cannot tend to zero smoothly at zero momentum. Its spectral representation therefore contains a massless fermionic pole: the Goldstino, with spin one-half. This statement assumes a Poincaré-invariant vacuum and the usual local unitary field-theory conditions. It does not require a bosonic Goldstone particle for the fermionic symmetry. In supergravity the Goldstino can instead supply the longitudinal polarization of a massive gravitino.

For canonical chiral superfields ${\Phi }_i$, elimination of their auxiliary fields givesA supersymmetric vacuum solves every $W_i=0$. At a stationary broken vacuum,The same matrix $W_{ij}$ is the chiral-fermion mass matrix, so the nonzero vector $\overline{W_j}$ is a zero mode. This derives the Goldstino zero mode from vacuum stationarity. The transformation $\delta {\psi }_i=\sqrt{2}ϵF_i+\cdots$ independently identifies that direction through its inhomogeneous shift.

For one canonical chiral field, $W=fZ$, $f\ne 0$, has $U=|f{|}^2$ everywhere, a massless fermion and a classically flat scalar direction. It is flat F-term breaking with a linear superpotential, rather than an isolated vacuum. In contrast, a nonconstant polynomial $W^{\prime }$ of positive degree has a complex root and hence a supersymmetric vacuum; in particular a generic quadratic or cubic single-field superpotential cannot remove all such roots. This argument assumes canonical nonsingular kinetic terms and does not claim that every runaway or nonpolynomial model has a vacuum.

A renormalizable three-field O'Raifeartaigh model gives a less degenerate illustration:The auxiliary equations require $W_2=m{\varphi }_1=0$, then $W_1=hX{\varphi }_1+m{\varphi }_2=0$, leaving $W_X=f\ne 0$. They cannot vanish simultaneously. For real positive $f,h,m$ with $m^2>fh$, the potential obeysTherefore its global tree-level minimum has ${\varphi }_1={\varphi }_2=0$, arbitrary $X$, and energy $f^2$. The massless ${\psi }_X$ is the Goldstino, while $X$ is a pseudomodulus. At $X=0$, the scalar mass-squared spectrum is $0,0,m^2,m^2,m^2+fh,m^2-fh$, and the fermion masses are $0,m,m$. This exhibits both the stability condition and the loss of ordinary supermultiplet mass degeneracy in a broken vacuum. Quantum corrections can lift the pseudomodulus and must be analysed rather than assumed away; the noncompact classical valley also prevents an unqualified finite-volume Witten index trace argument. The index, the vacuum equations and the Goldstino theorem consequently answer complementary questions.

Use ${\partial }_{\pm }=({\partial }_{\tau }\pm {\partial }_{\sigma })/2$ and keep each constant odd supersymmetry parameter on the left. The transformation of a fermion may be written $\delta {\psi }_1^{\mu }={ϵ}_1{\partial }_{+}{X}^{\mu }$ or ${\partial }_{+}{X}^{\mu }{ϵ}_1$, since the bosonic derivative commutes with the parameter. The variation $\delta$ itself is even, so it obeys the ordinary product rule; the signs below arise when moving an odd parameter past an odd field.

First consider the ${ϵ}_1$ transformation. Suppress target indices and put $\mathcal{L}=2X_{+}\cdot X_{-}+i{\psi }_1\cdot {\partial }_{-}{\psi }_1+i{\psi }_2\cdot {\partial }_{+}{\psi }_2$. Its bosonic part varies asFor the first fermion, moving ${ϵ}_1$ to the left givesThe second fermion does not vary under ${ϵ}_1$. Since ${\partial }_{-}{X}_{+}={\partial }_{+}{X}_{-}$, these terms combine to ${\delta }_1\mathcal{L}=-i{ϵ}_1{\partial }_{+}({\psi }_1\cdot X_{-})$. The other parameter gives the same cancellation with $+\leftrightarrow -$ and $1\leftrightarrow 2$. ThereforeThis proves worldsheet supersymmetry invariance up to the rigid worldsheet supersymmetry boundary term, without using field equations.

For an open string, the boundary term is part of the invariance statement. For example, a Neumann endpoint has ${\partial }_{+}X={\partial }_{-}X$ and compatible fermion gluing ${\psi }_1=\kappa {\psi }_2$, $\kappa =\pm 1$. The spatial boundary flux vanishes when ${ϵ}_2=\kappa {ϵ}_1$. Both endpoints must admit the same preserved parameter. Opposite gluing signs, giving the Neveu–Schwarz sector, do not preserve a nonzero constant parameter at both ends. Thus the local bulk identity and the existence of a global rigid charge on a particular open-string sector are distinct. The local superconformal symmetry remains the basis of the string constraints; this is consistent with the spin-structure obstruction to constant worldsheet supersymmetry.

Now write $A_{\pm }^{\mu }={\partial }_{\pm }{X}^{\mu }$ and $J_{+}^1={\psi }_1\cdot A_{+}$, $J_{-}^2={\psi }_2\cdot A_{-}$. The other two components vanish. The action implies ${\partial }_{-}{\psi }_1=0$, ${\partial }_{+}{\psi }_2=0$ and ${\partial }_{+}{\partial }_{-}X=0$, so these supercurrents are chiral and conserved locally. At equal time, the given canonical commutation relations implyWith $q_{ϵ}={\pi }^{-1}\int d\sigma ({ϵ}_1{\psi }_1\cdot A_{+}+{ϵ}_2{\psi }_2\cdot A_{-})$, contraction with this commutator givesThe parameter-weighted charge is even. Since the parameters anticommute with the fermions,Using the PDF's normalization $\{{\psi }_i^{\mu }(\sigma ),{\psi }_j^{\nu }({\sigma }^{\prime })\}=\pi {\eta }^{\mu \nu }{\delta }_{ij}\delta (\sigma -{\sigma }^{\prime })$ yieldsThus the charge generates all the specified supersymmetry transformations. Dropping the factor $\pi$ in the fermion anticommutator, as happens in the converted TeX, would fail this check. The original PDF has the correct factor.

To calculate the supercurrent bracket, put $A={\partial }_{+}X$ and $J={\psi }_1\cdot A$. The equal-time bosonic relations giveBosonic and fermionic fields commute. Expanding the two current products, commuting the bosonic factors once and using the fermion anticommutator gives the noncentral partFor an ordinary smooth bilocal coefficient, the distributional derivative identity isFor the fermion bilinear, its coincident classical value, or its coincident normal-ordered value, is zero by antisymmetry against the symmetric target metric. The second term is ${\psi }_1\cdot {\partial }_{\sigma }{\psi }_1$. Since ${\partial }_{-}{\psi }_1=0$, we have ${\partial }_{\sigma }{\psi }_1={\partial }_{+}{\psi }_1$. It follows that the noncentral current bracket isThis is the canonical supercurrent bracket of free RNS matter. The other chirality similarly gives ${\theta }_{--}=({\partial }_{-}X{)}^2+(i/2){\psi }_2\cdot {\partial }_{-}{\psi }_2$ and ${\theta }_{+-}=0$ on shell.

The printed current identity is the classical, or noncentral, part of the algebra. Fully quantized coincident products require normal ordering; the matter algebra then also has a central contact term proportional to ${\delta }^{\prime \prime }$ in the current anticommutator. The 10 bosons and 10 real fermions contribute matter central charge $c=10+10/2=15$. The central term cannot be discarded in a literal quantum operator identity, although it is irrelevant to identifying the local noncentral stress tensor above.

The other brackets close on these same currents. The stress-tensor commutator contains $\theta {\delta }^{\prime }$ and ${\theta }^{\prime }\delta$ and, quantum mechanically, a central ${\delta }^{\prime \prime \prime }$ term. The stress-tensor–supercurrent commutator contains $J{\delta }^{\prime }$ and $J^{\prime }\delta$, expressing the conformal weight $3/2$ of $J$. The supercurrent anticommutator contains $\theta \delta$ and its central ${\delta }^{\prime \prime }$ term. In a conventional normalization of Fourier modes these form the N=1 super-Virasoro algebra:Here $C_{mn}$ and $D_{rs}$ are central terms supported at zero total mode number; their detailed coefficients are not needed for this request. The indices $r$ are half-integers in the Neveu–Schwarz sector and integers in the Ramond sector. Opposite chiralities commute or anticommute as appropriate.

For the closed RNS string, impose a copy of the constraints in each chirality. In the Neveu–Schwarz sector, the physical conditions areIn the Ramond sector, use vacuum-normal-ordered generators with zero Ramond intercept. ThenThe Ramond zero-mode equation is essential: its square gives the mass-shell condition in this convention, $G_0^2=L_0$, and on the oscillator ground sector it is the spacetime Dirac constraint. In a convention whose unshifted plane generator has $G_0^2=L_0-c/24$, the zero-mode equation instead sets that shifted combination to zero; these are the same condition, not competing intercepts.

For either choice, the corresponding tilded constraints hold on the other side. Both chiral mass-shell conditions and closed-string level matching are required:The state sectors are NS–NS, NS–R, R–NS and R–R. Quotienting physical null states removes unphysical longitudinal polarizations; equivalently, use the appropriate BRST cohomology including the superconformal ghosts. A consistent superstring also specifies the GSO projection. It is an additional sector selection, not a replacement for these local super-Virasoro constraints. Physical states satisfy both chiral positive-mode and zero-mode constraints, level matching, and the null-state quotient; Ramond states additionally obey the fermionic zero-mode constraint.

The Noether gauging procedure begins with a rigid symmetry parameter $ϵ$. Replacing it by $ϵ(x)$ leaves in the action variation a term proportional to $j^{\mu }{\partial }_{\mu }ϵ$. Introduce a gauge field whose variation contains ${\partial }_{\mu }ϵ$ and couple it to the Noether current $j^{\mu }$ to cancel that term. The new coupling produces further variations, so both the action and transformation laws are corrected successively in the coupling constant until local invariance is obtained. Covariant derivatives organize this iterative completion.

For the Wess–Zumino model, the parameter is a spinor and the current is the supercurrent. Its derivative part has the structure ${\gamma }^{\nu }{\partial }_{\nu }(A-i{\gamma }_{5}B){\gamma }^{\mu }\psi$, up to the fixed Majorana spinor normalization and improvements. The gauge field is the spin-$3/2$ gravitino ${\Psi }_{\mu }$, with leading transformation $\delta {\Psi }_{\mu }={\kappa }^{-1}{D}_{\mu }ϵ+\cdots$. A coupling of ${\bar{\Psi }}_{\mu }$ to that current cancels the derivative of the local parameter. Since the commutator of two local supersymmetries includes a spacetime transformation, the vierbein and gravity must participate as well. This gives the Wess-Zumino chiral multiplet coupled to supergravity.

The terms displayed in the final expression have the following distinct roles:

The last two interactions are part of the higher-order local supersymmetry completion. They can be organized through the composite Kähler connection in the fermion derivatives, or derived by eliminating the corresponding supergravity auxiliary connection. Matter fermions and gravitini carry the appropriate chiral Kähler weights, fixing the relative current couplings. They are not new adjustable Yukawa interactions. In reading this organization, one must not include the composite connection in $D_{\mu }$ and then count its separately displayed current terms a second time.

Finally the spin connection itself acquires gravitino-induced torsion and matter spin-current contributions. Eliminating this algebraic connection, or solving for auxiliary fields, can make further fermion contact terms implicit in the chosen covariant derivatives and component convention. The key mechanism is current coupling at first order, followed by the covariant and higher-order terms required by local supersymmetry, rather than merely changing ordinary derivatives in the original matter Lagrangian.

The Noether gauging procedure starts by allowing a constant symmetry parameter to depend on position. For an internal symmetry written as $\delta {\varphi }^i={ϵ}^A{T}_A{\varphi }^i$, integration by parts identifies the Noether current:up to a boundary term. Introduce a gauge field $A_{\mu }^A$ and add $-g{A}_{\mu }^A{j}_A^{\mu }$, with the inhomogeneous gauge transformation $\delta A_{\mu }^A=g^{-1}{\partial }_{\mu }{ϵ}^A+\cdots$. This cancels the displayed variation. The current coupling has its own variation, so one iterates: add the needed higher-order interactions and corrections to the gauge transformations, and require closure of the local symmetry algebra. For an ordinary gauge theory, this reorganizes derivatives into gauge covariant derivatives and fixes the nonlinear gauge field strength. Gauging is therefore more than replacing a constant parameter by a function.

For rigid supersymmetry, the corresponding Noether current is the spinor-valued supercurrent $S^{\mu }$. A local Majorana spinor parameter gives a variation proportional to $({\partial }_{\mu }\overline{ϵ})S^{\mu }$. A gravitino ${\Psi }_{\mu }$, with an inhomogeneous transformation $\delta {\Psi }_{\mu }\sim {\kappa }^{-1}{\partial }_{\mu }ϵ$, cancels it through a coupling proportional to $\kappa {\bar{\Psi }}_{\mu }{S}^{\mu }$. The commutator of two rigid supersymmetry transformations is a translation. With local parameters, the translation parameter becomes position dependent, so the completion must also gauge translations: it introduces the vierbein, diffeomorphism invariance of general relativity, and local Lorentz transformations. The gravitino and graviton thus belong to the same supergravity multiplet.

For pure minimal four-dimensional supergravity, start with the free massless Fierz-Pauli action and the free Rarita-Schwinger field kinetic term. The Noether gauging procedure replaces the former by the Einstein-Hilbert action and couples the latter to the vierbein and spin connection. In a canonical normalization the leading transformations can be writtenAn overall sign or phase changes with the curvature and Majorana spinor conventions, but the relative normalization must be used consistently. To see why these terms fit together, first work to quadratic order in fermions, so the spin connection is torsion free. Varying the Rarita-Schwinger field kinetic term under $\delta {\Psi }_{\mu }={\nabla }_{\mu }ϵ/\kappa$ produces an antisymmetric double spinor covariant derivative. The spinor curvature identity and the Einstein tensor contraction of spin curvature give, in the matching curvature convention,The resulting Einstein tensor term cancels the variation of the Einstein-Hilbert action under $\delta e_{\mu }{}^a$. This is the essential first nontrivial cancellation in the construction.

At higher fermion order, the variations of the vierbein and spin connection produce further terms. Treating the spin connection as independent makes its Euler-Lagrange field equation algebraic. Its solution is a gravitino-induced torsion connection. With ${\Psi }_a=e_a{}^{\mu }{\Psi }_{\mu }$ and ${\gamma }^{ab}=[{\gamma }^a,{\gamma }^b]/2$, a conventional canonical normalization givesEquivalently, with $T^a=d{e}^a+{\tilde{\omega }}^a{}_b\wedge e^b$, the torsion tensor obeysThe Majorana Grassmann bilinear interchange makes the right-hand side antisymmetric in $\mu ,\nu$. Eliminating the spin connection generates the four-fermion completion. In the 1.5-order formalism one substitutes its solution but varies the other fields holding the connection fixed: the omitted chain-rule term is $(\delta S/\delta \omega )\delta \tilde{\omega }=0$. The remaining cubic fermion variations cancel by the Clifford algebra and Fierz rearrangements. This produces the displayed supergravity action in its compact connection-dependent form. Calling this formulation on shell means that no independent auxiliary fields have been retained and that closure of the supersymmetry algebra uses the propagating Euler-Lagrange field equations; it does not mean that action invariance is obtained only by setting every variation to zero on a solution.

In the antisymmetrized kinetic term, ${\Psi }_{\sigma }$ is a spinor-valued one-form and the derivative is conventionally writtenThis is the Lorentz-covariant exterior-derivative convention for that term. If one instead uses the full affine covariant derivative of a vector-spinor, a coordinate-index connection is also present and the antisymmetrization must include its torsion tensor correction. The crucial physical distinction from pure metric general relativity is the spin connection contains gravitino-induced contorsion, rather than being the torsion-free Levi-Civita connection. It reduces to the ordinary spinor covariant derivative when the gravitino vanishes.

Localizing the rigid supersymmetry of a free Wess–Zumino model produces a derivative of the supersymmetry parameter multiplying the supercurrent. The Noether gauging procedure introduces a gravitino coupled to this current. Closure also requires a vierbein, the Einstein-Hilbert action, covariant matter kinetic terms and higher-order interactions. The leading gravitino-matter coupling contains the derivative of the scalar, not its undifferentiated value.