theoretical physics Theoretical physics is a branch of physics that employs mathematical models and abstractions of physical objects and systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena. This is in contrast to experimental physics, which uses experi ...

, the R-symmetry is the symmetry transforming different supercharges in a theory with

supersymmetry In a supersymmetric theory the equations for force and the equations for matter are identical. In theoretical and mathematical physics, any theory with this property has the principle of supersymmetry (SUSY). Dozens of supersymmetric theories e ...

into each other. In the simplest case of the ''N''=1

, such an R-symmetry is isomorphic to a global U(1) group or its discrete subgroup (for the Z₂ subgroup it is called

R-parity R-parity is a concept in particle physics. In the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, baryon number and lepton number are no longer conserved by all of the renormalizable couplings in the theory. Since baryon number and lepton number conserv ...

). For

extended supersymmetry In theoretical physics, extended supersymmetry is supersymmetry whose infinitesimal generators Q_i^\alpha carry not only a spinor index \alpha, but also an additional index i=1,2 \dots \mathcal where \mathcal is integer (such as 2 or 4). Extend ...

, the R-symmetry group becomes a global U(N)

non-abelian group In mathematics, and specifically in group theory, a non-abelian group, sometimes called a non-commutative group, is a group (''G'', ∗) in which there exists at least one pair of elements ''a'' and ''b'' of ''G'', such that ''a'' ∗ ...

. In a model that is classically invariant under both ''N''=1 supersymmetry and conformal transformations, the closure of the superconformal algebra (at least on-shell) needs the introduction of a further bosonic generator that is associated to the R-symmetry.

References

* Supersymmetry {{quantum-stub