Exceptional Superconformal Algebras

Abstract

Reductive W-algebras which are generated by bosonic fields of spin-1, a single spin-2 field and fermionic fields of spin-3/2 are classified. Three new cases are found: a `symplectic' family of superconformal algebras which are extended by $su(2)\oplus sp(n)$, an $N=7$ and an $N=8$ superconformal algebra. The exceptional cases can be viewed as arising a Drinfeld-Sokolov type reduction of the exceptional Lie superalgebras $G(3)$ and $F(4)$, and have an octonionic description. The quantum versions of the superconformal algebras are constructed explicitly in all three cases.