Worldsheet Supersymmetry of Pohlmeyer-Reduced AdS_n x S^n Superstrings

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Pohlmeyer-reduced superstring theories in AdS_3 x S^3 and AdS_5 x S^5 backgrounds exhibit hidden extended worldsheet supersymmetries, revealing deeper symmetries at the classical level.

Contribution

It shows, at the classical level, the presence of hidden N=(4,4) and N=(8,8) worldsheet supersymmetries in Pohlmeyer-reduced AdS_3 x S^3 and AdS_5 x S^5 superstring theories, extending previous findings.

Findings

Identification of hidden N=(4,4) and N=(8,8) supersymmetries

Explicit form of supersymmetry transformations including non-local terms

Confirmation of supersymmetry at the classical level

Abstract

As was observed by Grigoriev and Tseytlin, the Pohlmeyer-reduced AdS_2 x S^2 superstring theory possesses N=(2,2) worldsheet supersymmetry. We show, at the classical level, that the AdS_3 x S^3 and AdS_5 x S^5 superstring theories in the Pohlmeyer-reduced form reveal hidden N=(4,4) and N=(8,8) worldsheet supersymmetries. Our consideration is based on the modified mass-deformed gauged WZW action for the superstring equations. We present the explicit form of the supersymmetry transformations for both the off-shell action and the superstring equations. The characteristic feature of these transformations is the presence of non-local terms.