The exact superconformal R-symmetry minimizes τRR

We present a new, general constraint which, in principle, determines the superconformal U(1)R symmetry of 4d N=1 SCFTs, and also 3d N=2 SCFTs. Among all possibilities, the superconformal U(1)R is that which minimizes the coefficient, τRR, of its two-point function. Equivalently, the superconformal U(1)R is the unique one with vanishing two-point function with every non-R flavor symmetry. For 4d N=1 SCFTs, τRR minimization gives an alternative to a-maximization. τRR minimization also applies in 3d, where no condition for determining the superconformal U(1)R had been previously known. Unfortunately, this constraint seems impractical to implement for interacting field theories. But it can be readily implemented in the AdS geometry for SCFTs with AdS duals.