The Superconformal Gaugings in Three Dimensions

Eric Bergshoeff (1) , Olaf Hohm (1) , Diederik Roest (2) , Henning Samtleben (3) , Ergin Sezgin (4)

1 Institute for Theoretical Physics
2 Departament Estructura i Constituents de la Materia
3 Phys-ENS - Laboratoire de Physique de l'ENS Lyon
4 George P. and Cynthia W. Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics

We show how three-dimensional superconformal theories for any number N<9 of supersymmetries can be obtained by taking a conformal limit of the corresponding three-dimensional gauged supergravity models. The superconformal theories are characterized by an embedding tensor that satisfies a linear and quadratic constraint. We analyze these constraints and give the general solutions for all cases. We find new N=4,5 superconformal theories based on the exceptional Lie superalgebras F(4), G(3) and D(2|1;a). Using the supergravity connection we discuss which massive deformations to expect. As an example we work out the details for the case of N=6 supersymmetry.

Keywords: supersymmetry; conformal symmetry; supergravity

Domains: Physics [physics]; High Energy Physics - Theory [hep-th]

Eric Bergshoeff, Olaf Hohm, Diederik Roest, Henning Samtleben, Ergin Sezgin. The Superconformal Gaugings in Three Dimensions. Journal of High Energy Physics, 2008, 0809, pp.101. ⟨10.1088/1126-6708/2008/09/101⟩. ⟨ensl-00299637⟩