Deformation of d = 4, $$ \mathcal{N} $$ ≥ 5 supergravities breaks nonlinear local supersymmetry

Abstract

Abstract We study d = 4, $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N ≥ 5 supergravities and their deformation via candidate counterterms, with the purpose to absorb UV divergences. We generalize the earlier studies of deformation and twisted self-duality constraint to the case with unbroken local $$ \mathcal{H} $$ H -symmetry in presence of fermions. We find that the deformed action breaks nonlinear local supersymmetry. We show that all known cases of enhanced UV divergence cancellations are explained by nonlinear local supersymmetry.This result implies, in particular, that if $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 5 supergravity at five loop will turn out to be UV divergent, the deformed theory will be BRST inconsistent. If it will be finite, it will be a consequence of nonlinear local supersymmetry and E7-type duality.