Lesson plan
D-term
In theoretical physics, the D-term is the final term in the expansion of a vector superfield over fermionic coordinates. A superfield is a field that depends on all coordinates of the superspace, which is the coordinate space of a theory exhibiting supersymmetry. A superspace can be expressed as a combination of ordinary space dimensions (x, y, z, ...,) and fermionic dimensions. 4D N = 1 global supersymmetry may be written using a superspace involving four extra fermionic coordinates \theta^1,\theta^2,\bar\theta^1,\bar\theta^2 , transforming as a two-component spinor and its conjugate. Every superfield may be expanded with respect to the new fermionic coordinates. The generic kind of superfields, typically a vector superfield, indeed depend on all these coordinates. The last term in the corresponding expansion, namely D \theta^1\theta^2\bar\theta^1\bar\theta^2 , is called the D-term. Manifestly supersymmetric Lagrangians may also be written as integrals over the whole superspace. A D-term obtained from a vector superfield solely by an integral over all of superspace is known as a Fayet–Iliopoulos D-term. Some special terms, such as the superpotential, may be written as integrals over \theta s only, which are known as F-terms, and should be contrasted with the present D-terms.
Article summary
In theoretical physics, the D-term is the final term in the expansion of a vector superfield over fermionic coordinates. A superfield is a field that depends on all coordinates of the superspace, which is the coordinate space of a theory exhibiting supersymmetry. A superspace can be expressed as a combination of ordinary space dimensions (x, y, z, ...,) and fermionic dimensions. 4D N = 1 global supersymmetry may be written using a superspace involving four extra fermionic coordinates \theta^1,\theta^2,\bar\theta^1,\bar\theta^2 , transforming as a two-component spinor and its conjugate. Every superfield may be expanded with respect to the new fermionic coordinates. The generic kind of superfields, typically a vector superfield, indeed depend on all these coordinates. The last term in the corresponding expansion, namely D \theta^1\theta^2\bar\theta^1\bar\theta^2 , is called the D-term. Manifestly supersymmetric Lagrangians may also be written as integrals over the whole superspace. A D-term obtained from a vector superfield solely by an integral over all of superspace is known as a Fayet–Iliopoulos D-term. Some special terms, such as the superpotential, may be written as integrals over \theta s only, which are known as F-terms, and should be contrasted with the present D-terms.
Key claims
No claims recorded.
Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
No sources recorded.
Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.