Supersymmetry faces growing doubts after LHC finds no supporting evidence

The enduring appeal of supersymmetry, a theoretical framework positing a fundamental symmetry between bosons and fermions, continues to drive research despite the lack of direct experimental confirmation at high-energy particle colliders. This conceptual approach, initially developed to address shortcomings in the Standard Model of particle physics, now finds application in diverse areas such as condensed matter and nuclear physics, offering novel analytical tools and potentially revealing unexpected physical phenomena. V.P. Berezovoja and A.J. Nurmagambetova, alongside colleagues from institutions including the Akhiezer Institute for Theoretical Physics and Karazin Kharkiv National University, explore these applications in their review, ‘Applied Supersymmetry’, detailing how the principles of isospectrality and supersymmetric mechanics can provide advantages in understanding and engineering various physical systems.

Supersymmetry, initially conceived as an extension of the Standard Model in high-energy physics, now permeates diverse areas including condensed matter and nuclear physics. Researchers actively investigate its manifestations in low- and medium-energy systems governed by standard, non-relativistic mechanics, demonstrating the theory’s enduring relevance despite the absence of direct experimental confirmation at facilities like the Large Hadron Collider. This work highlights supersymmetry’s broad applicability, often realised as isospectrality – the property of having the same energy eigenvalues – between non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, providing a powerful analytical technique across varied physical systems.

Supersymmetric mechanics proves particularly useful in resolving complex problems where conventional methods falter, extending its utility beyond the search for supersymmetric partner particles. Explicit and hidden supersymmetry frequently emerges in systems exhibiting parity-time (PT) symmetry, a branch of non-Hermitian quantum mechanics where the Hamiltonian is invariant under simultaneous parity and time reversal. This allows for the construction of effective Hamiltonians with simplified spectra, facilitating the understanding of phenomena such as exceptional points, where standard perturbative calculations fail due to singularities in the system.

The application of supersymmetric mechanics offers significant advantages in engineering contexts, enabling the design of systems with tailored properties and enhanced performance. Researchers explore the potential of isospectrality beyond traditional quantum mechanical systems, extending it to a wider range of physical scenarios. This stems from the ability of supersymmetric mechanics to identify underlying symmetries and simplify complex problems irrespective of the specific physical context. Emphasis is placed on exploring alternative, lower-energy manifestations of supersymmetry, where experimental verification may prove more attainable, potentially leading to future discoveries.

Current research investigates the interplay between supersymmetry and topological phases of matter, representing a promising area of exploration. Researchers extend the supersymmetric mechanics approach to more complex systems, including those exhibiting strong correlations – where interactions between particles are significant – and non-equilibrium dynamics, where systems are not in a stable state. Developing novel experimental probes to directly detect signatures of hidden supersymmetry in condensed matter and nuclear systems remains a crucial challenge. This work also explores the potential of supersymmetric mechanics in the development of new materials with tailored properties, such as enhanced stability, improved conductivity, or novel optical characteristics.

Investigation into the role of supersymmetry in quantum information processing and quantum computing is ongoing, potentially leading to breakthroughs in these rapidly evolving fields. Continued development of both theoretical and experimental tools is essential to fully unlock the potential of supersymmetry across diverse areas of physics and engineering.