Elements of Supersymmetry

These notes are intended to provide an introduction to supersymmetry. The notes begin with supersymmetric quantum mechanics and the basic properties of spinor fields. The supersymmetry of simple theories of spin-zero and spin-one-half fields is discussed with emphasis upon the charges that generate the transformations of supersymmetry. Abelian and non-abelian supersymmetric gauge theories are characterized in their simpler and more general forms. Superfields are defined, and the concise notation they make possible is described. The minimal supersymmetric standard model is discussed with particular attention to the Higgs fields and the electro-weak superpotential.