QUANTUM AFFINE SYMMETRY AS GENERALIZED SUPERSYMMETRY

The quantum affine U(q)(sl(2)) symmetry is studied when q2 is an even root of unity. The structure of this algebra allows a natural generali zation of N = 2 supersymmetry algebra. In particular it is found that the momentum operators P, PBAR, and thus the hamiltonian, can be writt en as generalized multi-commutators, and can be viewed as new central elements of the algebra U(q)(sl(2)). We show that massive particles in (deformations of) integer spin representations of sl(2) are not allow ed in such theories. Generalizations of Witten's index and Bogomolnyi bounds are presented and a preliminary attempt in constructing manifes tly U(q)(sl(2)) invariant actions as generalized supersymmetric Landau -Ginzburg theories is made.