We derive and discuss, at both the classical and the quantum levels, generalized N = 2 supersymmetric quantum mechanical sigma models describing the motion over an arbitrary real or an arbitrary complex manifold with extra torsions. We analyze the relevant vacuum states to make explicit the fact that their number is not affected by adding the torsion terms.
In four-dimensional N=1 Minkowski superspace, general nonlinear sigma models with four-dimensional target spaces may be realised in term of CCL (chiral and complex linear) dynamical variables which consist of a chiral scalar, a complex linear scalar and their conjugate superfields. Here we introduce CCL sigma models that are invariant under U(1) duality rotations exchanging the dynamical variables and their equations of motion. The Lagrangians of such sigma models prove to obey a partial differential equation that is analogous to the self-duality equation obeyed by U(1) duality invariant models for nonlinear electrodynamics. These sigma models are self-dual under a Legendre transformation that simultaneously dualises (i) the chiral multiplet into a complex linear one; and (ii) the complex linear multiplet into a chiral one. Any CCL sigma model possesses a dual formulation given in terms of two chiral multiplets. The U(1) duality invariance of the CCL sigma model proves to be equivalent, in the dual chiral formulation, to a manifest U(1) invariance rotating the two chiral scalars. Since the target space has a holomorphic Killing vector, the sigma model possesses a third formulation realised in terms of a chiral multiplet and a tensor multiplet. The family of U(1) duality invariant CCL sigma models includes a subset of N=2 supersymmetric theories. Their target spaces are hyper Kahler manifolds with a non-zero Killing vector field. In the case that the Killing vector field is triholomorphic, the sigma model admits a dual formulation in terms of a self-interacting off-shell N=2 tensor multiplet. We also identify a subset of CCL sigma models which are in a one-to-one correspondence with the U(1) duality invariant models for nonlinear electrodynamics. The target space isometry group for these sigma models contains a subgroup U(1) x U(1).
We analyse the geometry of four-dimensional bosonic manifolds arising within the context of $N=4, D=1$ supersymmetry. We demonstrate that both cases of general hyper-Kahler manifolds, i.e. those with translation or rotational isometries, may be supersymmetrized in the same way. We start from a generic N=4 supersymmetric three-dimensional action and perform dualization of the coupling constant, initially present in the action. As a result, we end up with explicit component actions for $N=4, D=1$ nonlinear sigma-models with hyper-Kahler geometry (with both types of isometries) in the target space. In the case of hyper-Kahler geometry with translational isometry we find that the action possesses an additional hidden N=4 supersymmetry, and therefore it is N=8 supersymmetric one.
We consider a four dimensional generalized Wess-Zumino model formulated in terms of an arbitrary K{a}hler potential $mathcal{K}(Phi,bar{Phi})$ and an arbitrary chiral superpotential $mathcal{W}(Phi)$. A general analysis is given to describe the possible interactions of this theory with external higher spin gauge superfields of the ($s+1,s+1/2$) supermultiplet via higher spin supercurrents. It is shown that such interactions do not exist beyond supergravity $(sgeq2)$ for any $mathcal{K}$ and $mathcal{W}$. However, we find three exceptions, the theory of a free massless chiral, the theory of a free massive chiral and the theory of a free chiral with linear superpotential. For the first two, the higher spin supercurrents are known and for the third one we provide the explicit expressions. We also discuss the lower spin supercurrents. As expected, a coupling to (non-minimal) supergravity ($s=1$) can always be found and we give the generating supercurrent and supertrace for arbitrary $mathcal{K}$ and $mathcal{W}$. On the other hand, coupling to the vector supermultiplet ($s=0$) is possible only if $mathcal{K}=mathcal{K}(bar{Phi}Phi)$ and $mathcal{W}=0$.
A gauge PDE is a natural notion which arises by abstracting what physicists call a local gauge field theory defined in terms of BV-BRST differential (not necessarily Lagrangian). We study supergeometry of gauge PDEs paying particular attention to globally well-defined definitions and equivalences of such objects. We demonstrate that a natural geometrical language to work with gauge PDEs is that of $Q$-bundles. In particular, we demonstrate that any gauge PDE can be embedded into a super-jet bundle of the $Q$-bundle. This gives a globally well-defined version of the so-called parent formulation. In the case of reparameterization-invariant systems, the parent formulation takes the form of an AKSZ-type sigma model with an infinite-dimensional target space.