Higher-Derivative Terms in N=2 SUSY Effective Actions

TL;DR

This paper systematically constructs higher-derivative terms in N=2 supersymmetric effective actions using harmonic superspace, identifying holomorphic terms and analyzing their quantum corrections across different branches.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive method to derive all 3- and 4-derivative terms in N=2 SUSY actions, including their holomorphic properties and quantum correction status.

Findings

All 3- and 4-derivative terms on various branches are constructed.

Many terms are holomorphic and some are non-renormalized.

Discussion of superspace Chern-Simons-like terms included.

Abstract

Harmonic superspace can be used to construct higher derivative terms in N=2 supersymmetric effective actions despite the infinite redundancy in their description due to the infinite number of auxiliary fields. We are able to write down all of the 3- and 4-derivative terms on the Higgs, Coulomb, and mixed branches, modulo the possible existence of superspace Chern-Simons-like terms, which we discuss. Many of the terms we find are holomorphic, and at least one is shown to not receive quantum corrections.