A two-loop calculation in the N- 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory is performed in various dimensions. The theory is found to be two-loop finite in six dimensions or less, but infinite in seven and nine dimensions. The six-dimensional result can be explained by a formulation of the theory in terms of N-2 superfields. The divergence in seven dimensions is naively compatible with both N- 2 and N = 4 superfield power counting rules, but is of a form that cannot be written as an on-shell N- 4 superfield integral. The hypothesized N = 4 extended superfield formalism therefore either does not exist, or at least has weaker consequences than would have been expected. This leads one to expect that four-dimensional supergravity theories diverge at three loops. Some general issues about the meaning of finiteness in nonrenormalizable theories are discussed. In particular, we discuss the use of field redefinitions, the generalization of wave funcdon renormalizations to nonrenormalizable theories, and whether counterterms should be used in calculations in finite theories.

The Ultraviolet Behavior of N=4 Yang-Mills and the Power-Counting of Extended Superspace (TOPCITE: 57 citazioni su INSPIRE HEP)

SAGNOTTI, AUGUSTO
1985

Abstract

A two-loop calculation in the N- 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory is performed in various dimensions. The theory is found to be two-loop finite in six dimensions or less, but infinite in seven and nine dimensions. The six-dimensional result can be explained by a formulation of the theory in terms of N-2 superfields. The divergence in seven dimensions is naively compatible with both N- 2 and N = 4 superfield power counting rules, but is of a form that cannot be written as an on-shell N- 4 superfield integral. The hypothesized N = 4 extended superfield formalism therefore either does not exist, or at least has weaker consequences than would have been expected. This leads one to expect that four-dimensional supergravity theories diverge at three loops. Some general issues about the meaning of finiteness in nonrenormalizable theories are discussed. In particular, we discuss the use of field redefinitions, the generalization of wave funcdon renormalizations to nonrenormalizable theories, and whether counterterms should be used in calculations in finite theories.
1985
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Marcus-S_85.pdf

Accesso chiuso

Tipologia: Altro materiale allegato
Licenza: Non pubblico
Dimensione 1.35 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.35 MB Adobe PDF   Richiedi una copia

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/7416
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 63
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? ND
  • OpenAlex ND
social impact