- #1
- 2,147
- 50
Just very recently I was looking into the subject of supersymmetry. Consider expressions of the form
$$ \mathcal{L} = \frac{1}{4\pi} \int_{M^4} d^4x d^2\theta \tau_0(\Lambda_0) \mathrm{Tr} W_\alpha W^\alpha \ + \frac{1}{4\pi} \int_{M^4} d^4x d^2\theta \ \mathrm{Im} \ \tau_0(\Lambda_0)\mathrm{Tr} \Phi \bar{\Phi} + \ c.c. $$
$$ \mathcal{L} = \frac{1}{2} \left(-t \int d^2 \widetilde{\theta} \Sigma \ + \ c.c. \right) $$
Despite the beauty of such formulas, it seems that we lack a fundamental understanding of the principle that underlies supersymmetry. For example, in general relativity, we have the equivalence principle. What is the principle behind supersymmetry, decades after its discovery? Some physicists say that it is just a book keeping device. Is this true?
$$ \mathcal{L} = \frac{1}{4\pi} \int_{M^4} d^4x d^2\theta \tau_0(\Lambda_0) \mathrm{Tr} W_\alpha W^\alpha \ + \frac{1}{4\pi} \int_{M^4} d^4x d^2\theta \ \mathrm{Im} \ \tau_0(\Lambda_0)\mathrm{Tr} \Phi \bar{\Phi} + \ c.c. $$
$$ \mathcal{L} = \frac{1}{2} \left(-t \int d^2 \widetilde{\theta} \Sigma \ + \ c.c. \right) $$
Despite the beauty of such formulas, it seems that we lack a fundamental understanding of the principle that underlies supersymmetry. For example, in general relativity, we have the equivalence principle. What is the principle behind supersymmetry, decades after its discovery? Some physicists say that it is just a book keeping device. Is this true?
Last edited by a moderator: