Higher dimensional operators and their effects in (non)supersymmetric models

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that supersymmetric theories with higher derivative operators can be reformulated as ghost superfield theories, highlighting the impact of Minkowski-Euclidean continuation on their ultraviolet divergence behavior.

Contribution

It introduces a reformulation of higher derivative supersymmetric theories as ghost superfield models and discusses the significance of Minkowski-Euclidean continuation for UV analysis.

Findings

Reformulation as ghost superfields is possible.

Power counting in Minkowski space may fail for higher derivative models.

Analytical continuation affects UV divergence behavior.

Abstract

It is shown that a 4D N=1 softly broken supersymmetric theory with higher derivative operators in the Kahler or the superpotential part of the Lagrangian and with an otherwise arbitrary superpotential, can be re-formulated as a theory without higher derivatives but with additional (ghost) superfields and modified interactions. The importance of the analytical continuation Minkowski-Euclidean space-time for the UV behaviour of such theories is discussed in detail. In particular it is shown that power counting for divergences in Minkowski space-time does not always work in models with higher derivative operators.