Selected problems of supermanifold theory

Graded Lie (super)algebras (17B70) Global differential geometry (53C99) Supermanifolds and graded manifolds (58A50) Analysis on supermanifolds or graded manifolds (58C50) Supersymmetric field theories in quantum mechanics (81T60)

Review text

The first mathematically rigorous notion of a supermanifold was proposed by \textit{F. A. Berezin} and the author [Sov. Math., Dokl. 16(1975), 1218- 1222 (1976); translation from Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 224, 505-508 (1975; Zbl 0331.58005)] and \textit{B. Kostant} [Lect. Notes Math. 570, 177-306 (1977; Zbl 0358.53024)]. In the West this approach to superanalysis is now commonly referred to as `graded manifold theory'. It is characterized by the lack of anti-commuting constants; this approach may be described as a theory of `superfunctions without supernumbers'. It is developed extensively, primarily by the Soviet mathematicians, and \textit{Yu. I. Manin}'s book [Gauge fields and complex geometry (Nauka, Moscow 1984; Zbl 0576.53002)] contains an excellent introduction to this branch of superanalysis as well as its applications. However, this approach is considered by some mathematicians and physicists as a too restrictive one for applications to supersymmetry, supergravity and superstrings, and at least a dozen of alternative or/and more general versions of supermanifold theory have been proposed. Among them the most significant are those due to \textit{A. Rogers} [J. Math. Phys. 21, 1352-1365 (1980; Zbl 0447.58003)], \textit{B. De Witt} [Supermanifolds (Cambridge 1984; Zbl 0551.53002)] and \textit{M. Rothstein} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 297, 159-180 (1986; Zbl 0636.58009)], all three of the type `superfunctions over supernumbers'. The up-to-date superanalysis is by no means a unified theory but rather a variety of theories, more or less actively interacting with each other and with particle physics. The author of the reviewed survey article is well known as one of the main contributors and strong adherents of the graded manifold theory; he keeps using the original Berezin's terminology (which is typical about the Soviet school of supermathematics), so the Western reader should substitute `graded manifolds' for `supermanifolds', and `graded Lie groups' for `supergroups'. The article contains twelve (groups of) open problems related to graded manifolds and graded Lie theory. Among the wide variety of items discussed there are: how one should generalize the notion of a graded manifold to be able to present some natural functions?; is it possible to develop a differential geometry over certain ringed spaces?; structure and representations of classical graded Lie algebras; G-structures and `Einstein-like equations'; quantization of graded Lie algebras; cohomology of and integration on graded manifolds. Some problems are posed at the heuristical level, but others are concrete conjectures. It is somewhat a pity that no reference to any other existing approach to superanalysis and super Lie theory is present, especially in connection with the first series of problems where a comparative discussion would be very desirable. Nevertheless, the reviewed paper will undoubtfully provide a notable impact on the supermathematics as a whole, and it should be at least looked through by any superanalyst.

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