We develop an efficient technique to compute anomalies in supersymmetric theories by combining the so-called nonlocal regularization method and superspace techniques. To illustrate the method we apply it to a four dimensional toy model with potentially anomalous N=1 supersymmetry and prove explicitly that in this model all the candidate supersymmetry anomalies have vanishing coefficients at the one-loop level.

Friedemann Brandt Jordi París

In this paper, two things are done. (i) First, it is shown that any global symmetry of a gauge-invariant theory can be extended to the ghosts and the antifields so as to leave invariant the solution of the master-equation (before gauge fixing). (ii) Second, it is proved that the incorporation of the rigid symmetries to the solution of the master-equation through the introduction of a constant ghost for each global symmetry can be obstructed already at the classical level whenever the theory possesses higher order conservation laws. Explicit examples are given.

Friedemann Brandt Marc Henneaux André Wilch

We construct N=1 supersymmetric versions of four-dimensional Freedman-Townsend models and generalizations thereof found recently by Henneaux and Knaepen, with couplings between 1-form and 2-form gauge potentials. The models are presented both in a superfield formulation with linearly realized supersymmetry and in WZ gauged component form. In the latter formulation the supersymmetry transformations are nonlinear and do not commute with all the gauge transformations. Among others, our construction yields N=1 counterparts of recently found N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories involving vector-tensor multiplets with gauged central charge.

Friedemann Brandt Ulrich Theis

Field theories with p-form gauge potentials can possess ``hidden'' symmetries leaving the field strengths invariant on-shell without being gauge symmetries on-shell. The relevance of such symmetries to supersymmetric models is discussed. They provide central charges of supersymmetry algebras, play a particular role in duality relations, and lead to peculiar interactions. A multiplet of N=2 supersymmetry in four dimensions with two hidden central charges is presented.

Friedemann Brandt

An overview of new 4d supersymmetric gauge theories with 2-form gauge potentials constructed by various authors during the past five years is given. The key role of three particular types of interaction vertices is emphasized. These vertices are used to develop a connecting perspective on the new models and to distinguish between them. One example is presented in detail to illustrate characteristic features of the models. A new result on couplings of 2-form gauge potentials to Chern-Simons forms is presented.

Friedemann Brandt

Seiberg-Witten maps and a recently proposed construction of noncommutative Yang-Mills theories (with matter fields) for arbitrary gauge groups are reformulated so that their existence to all orders is manifest. The ambiguities of the construction which originate from the freedom in the Seiberg-Witten map are discussed with regard to the question whether they can lead to inequivalent models, i.e., models not related by field redefinitions.

Glenn Barnich Friedemann Brandt Maxim Grigoriev

The paper concerns standard supersymmetry algebras in diverse dimensions, involving bosonic translational generators and fermionic supersymmetry generators. A cohomology related to these supersymmetry algebras, termed supersymmetry algebra cohomology, and corresponding "primitive elements" are defined by means of a BRST-type coboundary operator. A method to systematically compute this cohomology is outlined and illustrated by simple examples.

Friedemann Brandt

The primitive elements of the supersymmetry algebra cohomology as defined in a companion paper are computed exhaustively for standard supersymmetry algebras in dimensions D=2 and D=3, for all signatures (t,D-t) and all numbers N of sets of supersymmetries.

Friedemann Brandt

The application and extension of well-known BRST cohomological methods to supersymmetric field theories are discussed. The focus is on the emergence and particular features of supersymmetry algebra cohomology in this context. In particular it is discussed and demonstrated that supersymmetry algebra cohomology emerges within the cohomological analysis of standard supersymmetric field theories whether or not the commutator algebra of the symmetry transformations closes off-shell.

Friedemann Brandt

We present the mathematical considerations which determine all gauge invariant actions and anomaly candidates in gauge theories of standard type such as ordinary or gravitational Yang Mills theories. Starting from elementary concepts of field theory the discussion tries to be explicit and complete, only the cohomology of simple Lie algebras it quoted from the literature.

Norbert Dragon Friedemann Brandt