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P. S. Howe

Publications and source records attributed to P. S. Howe.

89 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
arXiv1997

The Six Dimensional Self-Dual Tensor

The equations of motion for a self-interacting self-dual tensor in six dimensions are extracted from the equations describing the M-theory five-brane. These equations are presented in a self-contained, six-dimensional Lorentz-covariant form. In particular, it is shown that the field-strength tensor satisfies a non-linear generalised self-duality constraint. The self-duality equation is rewritten in five-dimensional notation and shown to be identical to the corresponding equation in the non-covariant formalism.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Is N=4 Yang-Mills Theory Soluble?

The superconformal properties of N=4 Yang-Mills theory are most naturally studied using the formalism of harmonic superspace. Superconformal invariance is shown to imply that the Green's functions of analytic operators are invariant holomorphic sections of a line bundle on a product of certain harmonic superspaces and it is argued that the theory is soluble for a class of such operators.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Superconformal Invariants and Extended Supersymmetry

The superconformal invariants in analytic superspace are found. Superconformal invariance is shown to imply that the Green's functions of analytic operators are invariant holomorphic sections of a line bundle on a product of certain harmonic superspaces. It is argued that the correlation functions for a class of sufficiently low dimension gauge invariant operators in N=2 and N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory can be evaluated up to constants.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

D=11, p=5

The equations of motion of the super five-brane in D=11 dimensions are derived using the formalism of superembeddings. The equations describe highly nonlinear self-interactions of a tensor multiplet in the six dimensional worlsurface, and they have manifest worldsurface local supersymmetry. The geometry of the target space corresponds to D=11 supergravity.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Superconformal Ward Identities and N=2 Yang-Mills Theory

A reformulation of the superconformal Ward identities that combines all the superconformal currents and the associated parameters in one multiplet is given for theories with rigid N=1 or N=2 supersymmetry. This form of the Ward Identities is applied to spontaneously broken N=2 Yang-Mills theory and used to derive a condition on the low energy effective action. This condition is satisfied by the solution proposed by Seiberg and Witten.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Superbranes

A large class of supersymmetric extended objects is considered from the viewpoint of embeddings of super worldsurfaces into target superspaces. It is shown that a simple geometrical condition leads to the equations of motion for the brane in many cases.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Operator product expansions in four-dimensional superconformal field theories

The operator product expansion in four-dimensional superconformal field theory is discussed. The OPE takes a particularly simple form for chiral operators, in $N=1$ and $N=2$, and for analytic operators, in $N=2$ and $N=4$. It is argued that the Green's functions of such operators can be determined up to constants.

hep-th↗
arXiv1996

Twistor spaces for HKT manifolds

We construct the twistor space associated with an HKT manifold, that is, a hyper-Kähler manifold with torsion, a type of geometry that arises as the target space geometry in two-dimensional sigma models with (4,0) supersymmetry. We show that this twistor space has a natural complex structure and is a holomorphic fibre bundle over the complex projective line with fibre the associated HKT manifold. We also show how the metric and torsion of the HKT manifold can be determined from data on the twistor space by a reconstruction theorem. We give a geometric description of the sigma model (4,0) superfields as holomorphic maps (suitably understood) from a twistorial extension of (4,0) superspace (harmonic superspace) into the twistor space of the sigma model target manifold and write an action for the sigma model in terms of these (4,0) superfields.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

New supergravities with central charges and Killing spinors in 2+1 dimensions

We construct a new class of $(p,q)$-extended Poincaré supergravity theories in 2+1 dimensions as Chern-Simons theories of supersymmetry algebras with both central and automorphism charges. The new theories have the advantage that they are limits of corresponding $(p,q)$ adS supergravity theories and, for not too large a value of $N=p+q$, that they have a natural formulation in terms of off-shell superfields, in which context the distinction between theories having the same value of $N$ but different $(p,q)$ arises because of inequivalent conformal compensator superfields. We also show that, unlike previously constructed N-extended Poincaré supergravity theories, the new (2,0) theory admits conical spacetimes with Killing spinors. Many of our results on (2,0) Poincaré supergravity continue to apply in the presence of coupling to N=2 supersymmetric sigma-model matter.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

Twistors and supersymmetry

An overview is given of the application of twistor geometric ideas to supersymmetry with particular emphasis on the construction of superspaces associated with four-dimensional spacetime. Talk given at Leuven conference, July 1995.

hep-th↗
arXiv1995

(N,p,q) Harmonic Superspace

A family of harmonic superspaces associated with four-dimensional spacetime is described. Some applications to supersymmetric field theories, including supergravity, are given.

hep-th↗
arXiv1994

Free Fermions and Extended Conformal Algebras

A class of algebras is constructed using free fermions and the invariant antisymmetric tensors associated with irreducible holonomy groups. (This version contains minor typographical corrections and some additional references. )

hep-th↗
arXiv1994

A note on chiral fermions and heterotic strings

An off-shell manifestly (8,0) worldsheet supersymmetric formulation of a multiplet describing physical chiral fermions is given. The multiplet can be used to complete the doubly supersymmetric (twistor-like) action for the heterotic string. Correction of technical errors.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

Finiteness and anomalies in (4,0) supersymmetric sigma models

Power-counting arguments based on extended superfields have been used to argue that two-dimensional supersymmetric sigma models with (4,0) supersymmetry are finite. This result is confirmed up to three loop order in pertubation theory by an explicit calculation using (1,0) superfields. In particular, it is shown that the finite counterterms which must be introduced into the theory in order to maintain (4,0) supersymmetry are precisely the terms that are required to establish ultra-violet finiteness.

hep-th↗
arXiv1992

Holonomy groups and W-symmetries

Irreducible sigma models, i.e. those for which the partition function does not factorise, are defined on Riemannian spaces with irreducible holonomy groups. These special geometries are characterised by the existence of covariantly constant forms which in turn give rise to symmetries of the supersymmetric sigma model actions. The Poisson bracket algebra of the corresponding currents is a W-algebra. Extended supersymmetries arise as special cases.

hep-th↗