Deformed ${\cal N}{=}\,8$ mechanics of ${\bf(8,8,0)}$ multiplets

Abstract

We construct new models of `curved' SU$(4|1)$ supersymmetric mechanics based on two versions of the off-shell multiplet ${\bf(8,8,0)}$ which are `mirror' to each other. The worldline realizations of the supergroup SU$(4|1)$ are treated as a deformation of flat ${\cal N}{=}\,8$, $d\,{=}\,1$ supersymmetry. Using SU$(4|1)$ chiral superfields, we derive invariant actions for the first-type ${\bf(8,8,0)}$ multiplet, which parametrizes special K\"ahler manifolds. Since we are not aware of a manifestly SU$(4|1)$ covariant superfield formalism for the second-type ${\bf(8,8,0)}$ multiplet, we perform a general construction of SU$(4|1)$ invariant actions for both multiplet types in terms of SU$(2|1)$ superfields. An important class of such actions enjoys superconformal OSp$(8|2)$ invariance. We also build off-shell actions for the SU$(4|1)$ multiplets ${\bf(6,8,2)}$ and ${\bf(7,8,1)}$ through appropriate substitutions for the component fields in the ${\bf(8,8,0)}$ actions. The ${\bf(6,8,2)}$ actions are shown to respect superconformal SU$(4|1,1)$ invariance.