Phase Transitions in Softly Broken N=2 SQCD at Non-zero Theta Angle

Abstract

We investigate the behavior of softly broken $N=2$ SQCD at non-zero bare theta angle $θ_0$, using superfield spurions to implement the SUSY breaking. We find a first-order phase transition as $θ_0$ is varied from zero to $2 π$, in agreement with a prediction of `t Hooft. The low-energy theta angle $θ_{eff}$, which determines the effective charges of dyonic excitations, has a complicated dependence on $θ_0$ and breaking parameters.