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19 votes
7 answers
2k views

Supermanifolds — elementary introduction?

I am looking for an elementary but mathematically precise introductory text on supermanifolds in a modern differential geometric setting. Elementary in the sense that there is plenty of motivation for ...
6 votes
0 answers
217 views

Variation Formula of APS $\eta$-Invariant and Chern-Simons Theory

In Perturbative Expansion of Chern-Simons Theory with Noncompact Gauge Group, the author proved the variation formula of the APS $\eta$-invariant. I have a few questions about their proof. I will ...
12 votes
1 answer
621 views

supersymmetry and the de Rham complex

In Alvarez-Gaume's paper "Supersymmetry and the index theorem" there is given a certain supersymmetric Lagrangian whose quantization, apparently, leads to the de Rham Laplacian on the exterior ...
6 votes
0 answers
217 views

Physical effects in supersymmetric theories of the underlying supermanifold being split or non-split?

Given an $m$-dimensional $C^{\infty}$ manifold $M$ with an $n$-dimensional vector bundle $E$ over $M$, one can use the transition functions of the manifold and the bundle to construct an ($m,n$)-...
2 votes
0 answers
234 views

What exactly is the role of the mysterious manifold underlying the definition of a superspace?

In the intro to chapter 12.3 of this book about the applications of coherent states, it says that classical spaces for bosons are real or complex vector spaces or manifolds, whereas classical spaces ...
66 votes
11 answers
11k views

Why is the exterior algebra so ubiquitous?

The exterior algebra of a vector space V seems to appear all over the place, such as in the definition of the cross product and determinant, the description of the Grassmannian as a variety, the ...
1 vote
0 answers
222 views

Classification of (almost) contact structures on $S^3$

Question: Is there a classification of almost contact or contact structures on $S^3$? What is it and references? The motivation of this question is as follows: (1) There is one paper showing that a ...
3 votes
2 answers
682 views

Change of coordinates introduced through dx

Hi, I have a superspace spanned by 4 commuting coordinates + 2 anti-commuting ones $\{x^\mu,\theta^\alpha\}$, I have to do the change of coordinates $dx^\mu\to dy^\mu= dx^\mu+d\theta^\alpha \eta_\...