5d super-Yang-Mills theory in 4d superspace, superfield brane operators, and applications to orbifold GUTs

A manifestly gauge invariant formulation of 5-dimensional supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories in terms of 4d superfields is derived. It relies on a supersymmetry and gauge-covariant derivative operator in the x(5) direction. This formulation allows for a systematic study of higher-derivative operators by combining invariant 4d superfield expressions under the additional restriction of 5d Lorentz symmetry. In cases where the 5d theory is compactified on a gauge-symmetry-breaking orbifold, the formalism can be used for a simple discussion of possible brane operators invariant under the restricted symmetry of the fixed points. This is particularly relevant to recently constructed grand unified theories in higher dimensions (orbifold GUTs). Several applications, including proton decay operators and brane-localized mass terms, are discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.