Geometric realizations of the Lie superalgebra D(2,1;a)
For every parabolic subgroup $P$ of a Lie supergroup $G$, the homogeneous superspace $G/P$ carries a $G$-invariant supergeometry. We address the question whether $\mathfrak{g}=\text{Lie}(G)$ is the maximal supersymmetry of this supergeometry in the case of the exceptional Lie superalgebra $D(2,1;a)$. For each choice of parabolic $\mathfrak{p}\subset\mathfrak{g}$, we consider the corresponding negatively graded Lie subalgebra $\mathfrak{m}\subset\mathfrak{g}$, and compute its Tanaka--Weisfeiler prolongations, with reduction of the structure group when required, thus realizing $D(2,1;a)$ via symmetries of supergeometries. This gives 6 inequivalent supergeometries: one of these is a vector superdistribution, two are given by cone fields of supervarieties, and the remaining three are higher order structure reductions (a novel feature). We describe those supergeometries and realize $D(2,1;a)$ supersymmetry explicitly in each case.