Lectures on supergravity

These five lectures collect elementary facts about 4D supersymmetric theories with emphasis on N=1 supersymmetry, as well as the basic notions of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. Contents: I. From symmetries to supersymmetry; II. Basic features of supersymmetry; III. Representations of supersymmetry; IV. Superspace and superfields; V. Supersymmetric quantum mechanics.

An introduction to and a partial review of supergravity theories is given, insisting on concepts and on some important technical aspects. Topics covered include elements of global supersymmetry, a derivation of the simplest N=1 supergravity theory, a discussion of N=1 matter-supergravity couplings, of the scalar sector and of some simple models. Space-time is four-dimensional.

The topic of 4D, N = 1 supersymmetry is introduced for the reader with a prior background in relativistic quantum field theory. The presentation is designed to be a useful primer for those who plan to later engage in serious investigation of the area or as an overview for the generally interested.

These lectures present an introduction to supergravity, and are intended for graduate students with a working knowledge of quantum field theory, including the elementary group theory needed for it, but no prior knowledge of general relativity, supersymmetry or string theory is assumed. I will start by introducing the needed elements of general relativity and supersymmetry. I will then describe the simplest cases of supergravity, ${\cal N}=1$ on-shell in 4 dimensions and ${\ca...

A short introduction to N = 1 supergravity in four dimensions in the superspace approach is given emphasising on all steps to obtain the final Lagrangian. In particular starting from geometrical principles and the introduction of superfields in curved superspace, the action coupling matter and gauge fields to supergravity is derived. This review is based on the book -A supergravity Primer: From geometrical principles to the Final Lagrangian- and on several lectures given at t...

The coupling of matter to supergravity with $N=1$ supersymmetry in $d=4$ dimensions is described in a geometric manner by K\"ahler superspace. A straightforward way to implement K\"ahler superspace is via $\mathrm{U}(1)$ superspace by identifying the $\mathrm{U}(1)$ pre-potential with the K\"ahler potential, which is a function of the matter (chiral) superfields. In this framework, the components of the supergravity multiplet are contained in the supervielbein and torsion ten...

Supergravities in four and higher dimensions are reviewed. We discuss the action and its local symmetries of N=1 supergravity in four dimensions, possible types of spinors in various dimensions, field contents of supergravity multiplets, non-compact bosonic symmetries, non-linear sigma models, duality symmetries of antisymmetric tensor fields and super p-branes. (An expanded version of a review talk at YITP workshop on Supersymmetry, 27 - 30 March, 1996)

This article elaborates on an off-shell formulation of D=4, N=1 supergravity whose auxiliary fields comprise an antisymmetric tensor field without gauge degrees of freedom. In particular, the relation to new minimal supergravity, a supercovariant tensor calculus and the construction of invariant actions including matter fields are discussed.

These lectures are intended as a broad introduction to Chern Simons gravity and supergravity. The motivation for these theories lies in the desire to have a gauge invariant action -in the sense of fiber bundles- in more than three dimensions, which could provide a firm ground for constructing a quantum theory of the gravitational field. The case of Chern-Simons gravity and its supersymmetric extension for all odd D is presented. No analogous construction is available in even ...

We present a series of four self-contained lectures on the following topics: (I) An introduction to 4-dimensional 1\leq N \leq 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, including particle and field contents, N=1 and N=2 superfield methods and the construction of general invariant Lagrangians; (II) A review of holomorphicity and duality in N=2 super-Yang-Mills, of Seiberg-Witten theory and its formulation in terms of Riemann surfaces; (III) An introduction to mechanical Hamilt...