Lectures on nonlinear sigma-models in projective superspace

Sergei M. Kuzenko

Published 2010-04-06, updated 2012-04-05Version 3

N = 2 supersymmetry in four space-time dimensions is intimately related to hyperkahler and quaternionic Kahler geometries. On one hand, the target spaces for rigid supersymmetric sigma-models are necessarily hyperkahler manifolds. On the other hand, when coupled to N = 2 supergravity, the sigma-model target spaces must be quaternionic Kahler. It is known that such manifolds of restricted holonomy are difficult to generate explicitly. Projective superspace is a field-theoretic approach to constructing general N = 2 supersymmetric nonlinear sigma-models, and hence to generate new hyperkahler and quaternionic Kahler metrics. Intended for a mixed audience consisting of both physicists and mathematicians, these lectures provide a pedagogical introduction to the projective-superspace approach.