Classical anomalies of supersymmetric extended objects

Abstract The hamiltonian form of the action for a p-extended supersymmetric object is presented, and used to deduce both the algebra generated by the constraints, in agreement with previous results for p=1,2, and the algebra of the supersymmetry charges. The “anomalous” contributions in each algebra (for given p) are shown to be related, and the origin of their different properties is exhibited. In particular, it is shown why only in the charge algebra are the “anomalous” contributions always topological and the commutators of the translations always zero.