Model of supersymmetric quantum field theory with broken parity symmetry

Carl M. Bender and Kimball A. Milton
Phys. Rev. D 57, 3595 – Published 15 March 1998
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Abstract

Recently, it was observed that self-interacting scalar quantum field theories having a non-Hermitian interaction term of the form g(iφ)2+δ, where δ is a real positive parameter, are physically acceptable in the sense that the energy spectrum is real and bounded below. Such theories possess PT invariance, but they are not symmetric under parity reflection or time reversal separately. This broken parity symmetry is manifested in a nonzero value for 〈φ〉, even if δ is an even integer. This paper extends this idea to a two-dimensional supersymmetric quantum field theory whose superpotential is S(φ)=ig(iφ)1+δ. The resulting quantum field theory exhibits a broken parity symmetry for all δ>0. However, supersymmetry remains unbroken, which is verified by showing that the ground-state energy density vanishes and that the fermion-boson mass ratio is unity.

  • Received 10 October 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.57.3595

©1998 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Carl M. Bender*

  • Department of Physics, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130

Kimball A. Milton

  • Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma 73019

  • *Electronic address: cmb@howdy.wustl.edu
  • Electronic address: milton@mail.nhn.ou.edu

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Issue

Vol. 57, Iss. 6 — 15 March 1998

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