Supersymmetric Construction of W-Algebras from Super Toda and WZNW Theories

A systematic construction of super W-algebras in terms of the WZNW model based on a super Lie algebra is presented. These are shown to be the symmetry structure of the super Toda models, which can be obtained from the WZNW theory by Hamiltonian reduction. A classification, according to the conformal spin defined by an improved energymomentum tensor, is discussed in general terms for all super Lie algebras whose simple roots are fermionic. A detailed discussion employing the Dirac bracket structure and an explicit construction of W-algebras for the cases of OSP (1, 2), OSP (2, 2), OSP (3, 2) and D(2, 1|α) are given. The N=1 and N=2 super conformal algebras are discussed in the pertinent cases. Work partially supported by CNPq e-mail: 47553::LAF e-mail: 47553::JFG e-mail: 47553::REGINA