In
theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics that employs mathematical models and abstractions of physical objects and systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena. This is in contrast to experimental physics, which uses experim ...
, the R-symmetry is the symmetry transforming different
supercharges in a theory with
supersymmetry
In a supersymmetric theory the equations for force and the equations for matter are identical. In theoretical and mathematical physics, any theory with this property has the principle of supersymmetry (SUSY). Dozens of supersymmetric theories e ...
into each other. In the simplest case of the ''N''=1
supersymmetry
In a supersymmetric theory the equations for force and the equations for matter are identical. In theoretical and mathematical physics, any theory with this property has the principle of supersymmetry (SUSY). Dozens of supersymmetric theories e ...
, such an R-symmetry is
isomorphic
In mathematics, an isomorphism is a structure-preserving mapping between two structures of the same type that can be reversed by an inverse mapping. Two mathematical structures are isomorphic if an isomorphism exists between them. The word is ...
to a global U(1) group or its discrete subgroup (for
the Z2 subgroup it is called
R-parity
R-parity is a concept in particle physics. In the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, baryon number and lepton number are no longer conserved by all of the renormalizable couplings in the theory. Since baryon number and lepton number conservatio ...
). For
extended supersymmetry
In theoretical physics, extended supersymmetry is supersymmetry whose infinitesimal generators Q_i^\alpha carry not only a spinor index \alpha, but also an additional index i=1,2 \dots \mathcal where \mathcal is integer (such as 2 or 4).
Extende ...
, the R-symmetry group becomes a global U(N)
non-abelian group
In mathematics, and specifically in group theory, a non-abelian group, sometimes called a non-commutative group, is a group (''G'', ∗) in which there exists at least one pair of elements ''a'' and ''b'' of ''G'', such that ''a'' ∗ ' ...
.
In a model that is classically invariant under both ''N''=1 supersymmetry and conformal transformations, the closure of the superconformal algebra (at least on-shell) needs the introduction of a further bosonic generator that is associated to the R-symmetry.
References
*
Supersymmetry
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