Gravitino Zero Modes on U(1)_R Strings

TL;DR

This paper explores the existence of gravitino zero modes on cosmic R-strings in supergravity models with broken gauged R-symmetry, analyzing their solutions and potential physical implications.

Contribution

It constructs explicit solutions to the Rarita-Schwinger equation for gravitinos around R-strings, revealing conditions for gravitino currents on these cosmic defects.

Findings

Gravitino zero modes can exist on R-strings under certain conditions.

Solutions to the Rarita-Schwinger equation are explicitly constructed.

Potential for gravitino currents on cosmic strings is discussed.

Abstract

We consider theories with a spontaneously broken gauged R-symmetry, which can only occur in supergravity models. These give rise to cosmic R-strings upon which gravitino zero modes can exist. We construct solutions to the Rarita-Schwinger spin-3/2 equation describing the gravitino in the field of these cosmic strings and show that under some conditions these solutions may give rise to gravitino currents on the string. We discuss further mathematical and physical questions associated with these solutions.