N=1 and N=2 cosets from gauged supersymmetric WZW models

Abstract

We present a derivation of the N=1 and N=2 superconformal coset constructions starting from a supersymmetric WZW model where a diagonal subgroup has been gauged. We work in the general framework of self-dual (not necessarily reductive) Lie algebras; but even in the reductive case these results are new. We show that the BRST cohomology of the gauged supersymmetric WZW model contains the N=1 (and if it exists also the N=2) coset generators. We also extend the BRST analysis to show that the BRST cohomology of the supersymmetric WZW model agrees with that of an ordinary bosonic WZW model (in a representation twisted by the presence of the coset fermions). In particular, in the case of the topological G/G coset, the supersymmetric and nonsupersymmetric theories agree.

12 pages, latex2e (elsart style). The .dvi and .ps files can be obtained from ftp://strings7.ph.qmw.ac.uk/pub/jmf/ 9511229.{dvi,ps} (Changed some inaccuracies in the references.)

References in corpus (4)

• Conformal sigma models corresponding to gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten theories
• An Algorithmic Approach to Operator Product Expansions, $W$-Algebras and $W$-Strings
• Manin triples and $N=2$ superconformal field theory
• N=2 structures in all string theories

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• The Quantum Superstring as a WZNW Model with N=2 Superconformal Symmetry
• D-branes in curved spacetime: Nappi-Witten background
• The Neveu-Schwarz and Ramond Algebras of Logarithmic Superconformal Field Theory
• Nonreductive WZW models and their CFTs, II: N=1 and N=2 cosets
• Ambitwistor Strings and the Scattering Equations on AdS${}_3\times$S${}^3$
• The Topological Cigar Observables
• On the unitarity of gauged non-compact world-sheet supersymmetric WZNW models
• Gauged non-compact WZNW models, revisited
• On the BRST Cohomology of Superstrings with/without Pure Spinors
• WZNW Strings, Unitarity and Anti de Sitter spaces