Supersymmetric index in four-dimensional gauge theories (Q700571)

A systematical development of the theory of the supersymmetric index \(\text{Tr}(-1)^F\) (1982, Witten) for the minimal supersymmetric gauge field theory, primarily, in four-dimensional space-time is presented in an extended form. This index is defined as the difference \(n_B-n_F\) of the numbers of supersymmetric bosonic \((n_B)\) and fermionic \((n_F)\) states of zero energy, whereas the operator \((-1)^F\) equals to \(+1\) for bosonic and \(-1\) for fermionic states; the trace is taken in the space of zero energy states. On the basis of standard hypothesis about the infrared behavior of gauge theories, the predictions for the index and its refinements are obtained. There are considered the refinements of the index to probe confinement and oblique confinement as well as the possible breaking of chiral symmetry and of global symmetries (for example, charge conjugation), that are derived from outer automorphisms of the gauge group \(G\). The microscopic calculations which involve a Born-Oppenheimer computation of the spectrum as well as mathematical formulas involving triples of commuting elements of \(G\) and the Chern-Simons invariants of flat bundles on the three-torus are used. The paper is organized as follows: 1. Introduction. 2. Expectations in \(2+1\) dimensions (1999, Witten). 3. The four-dimensional case (simple-connected gauge group, non-simple connected case, predictions for the index, evaluation of the spectral flow, outer automorphisms). 4. Microscopic computations \((2+1\) dimensional case, \(3+1\) dimensions, chiral symmetry breaking, incorporation of the magnetic flux, outer automorphisms). 5. More on commuting triples (simple connected case, inclusion of magnetic flux, examples with non-zero \(m\)-characterizing class of the \(G\)-bundles).