Double-vector multiplet and partially broken N=4, d=3 supersymmetry

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new N=2, d=3 supermultiplet with two gauge vectors, formulates it superfield-wise, and uses it to describe partial supersymmetry breaking and brane dynamics, revealing a nonlinear Born-Infeld system.

Contribution

It presents a novel double-vector supermultiplet with off-shell central charge realization and applies it to model partial N=4 to N=2 supersymmetry breaking in three dimensions.

Findings

Superfield formulation of the double-vector multiplet.

Derivation of nonlinear equations of motion for Goldstone superfield.

Identification of a Born-Infeld type system dual to a d=5 membrane.

Abstract

We elaborate on a new N=2, d=3 supermultiplet (double-vector multiplet) with a non-trivial off-shell realization of the central charge. Its bosonic sector comprises two abelian gauge vector fields forming an SO(2) vector. We present a superfield formulation of this multiplet in the central-charge extended N=2, d=3 superspace and then employ it, in the framework of the nonlinear realizations approach, as the Goldstone one for the partial breaking N=4 -> N=2 in three dimensions. The covariant equations of motion for the self-interacting Goldstone superfield arise as a natural generalization of the free ones and are interpreted as the worldvolume supersymmetric form of the equations of motion of a N=4 D2-brane. For the vector fields we find a coupled nonlinear system of Born-Infeld type and demonstrate its dual equivalence to the d=5 membrane. The double-vector multiplet can be fused with some extra N=2, d=3 multiplet to form an off-shell N=4, d=3 supermultiplet.