Interpreting Supersymmetry.

Supersymmetry in quantum physics is a mathematically simple phenomenon that raises deep foundational questions. To motivate these questions, I present a toy model, the supersymmetric harmonic oscillator, and its superspace representation, which adds extra anticommuting dimensions to spacetime. I the...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Erkenntnis Vol. 87; no. 5; pp. 2375 - 2397
Autor principal: Baker, David John
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Springer Nature Oct2022
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Supersymmetry in quantum physics is a mathematically simple phenomenon that raises deep foundational questions. To motivate these questions, I present a toy model, the supersymmetric harmonic oscillator, and its superspace representation, which adds extra anticommuting dimensions to spacetime. I then explain and comment on three foundational questions about this superspace formalism: whether superspace is a substance, whether it should count as spatiotemporal, and whether it is a necessary postulate if one wants to use the theory to unify bosons and fermions.