The big picture

TL;DR

This paper explores a unified approach to NSR superstring field theory using a BRST operator with a nonminimal term, simplifying the structure and making spacetime supersymmetry more manifest.

Contribution

It introduces a BRST operator with a nonminimal term that pairs all bosonic ghost modes, unifies ghost numbers for vertex operators, and simplifies the kinetic and interaction terms for both sectors.

Findings

All bosonic ghost modes are paired into creation and annihilation operators.

Vertex operators for NS and R sectors have the same ghost number.

Kinetic and interaction terms are identical for NS and R sectors, enhancing supersymmetry manifestness.

Abstract

We discuss the conformal field theory and string field theory of the NSR superstring using a BRST operator with a nonminimal term, which allows all bosonic ghost modes to be paired into creation and annihilation operators. Vertex operators for the Neveu-Schwarz and Ramond sectors have the same ghost number, as do string fields. The kinetic and interaction terms are the same for Neveu-Schwarz as for Ramond string fields, so spacetime supersymmetry is closer to being manifest. The kinetic terms and supersymmetry don't mix levels, simplifying component analysis and gauge fixing.