Superconformal symmetry in the interacting theory of (2,0) tensor multiplets and self-dual strings

Journal article, 2006

We investigate the concept of superconformal symmetry in six dimensions, applied to the interacting theory of (2,0) tensor multiplets and self-dual strings. The action of a superconformal transformation on the superspace coordinates is found, both from a six-dimensional perspective and by using a superspace with eight bosonic and four fermionic dimensions. The transformation laws for all fields in the theory are derived, as well as general expressions for the transformation of on-shell superfields. Superconformal invariance is shown for the interaction of a self-dual string with a background consisting of on-shell tensor multiplet fields, and we also find an interesting relationship between the requirements of superconformal invariance and those of a local fermionic kappa-symmetry. Finally, we construct a superspace analogue of the Poincare dual to the string world-sheet and consider its properties under superconformal transformations.