Kac-Moody algebras in perturbative string theory

We investigate some of the motivations and consequences of the conjecture that the Kac-Moody algebra E11 is the symmetry algebra of M-theory, and we develop methods to aid the further investigation of this idea. The definitions required to work with abstract root systems of Lie algebras are given in review leading up to the definition of a Kac-Moody algebra. The motivations for the E11 conjecture are presented and the nonlinear realisation of gravity relevant to the conjectur...

We study the existence of a bosonic m-theory extension of the 10D and 26D closed bosonic string in terms of Kac-Moody algebras. We argue that K11 and K27 are symmetries which protect the coefficients of the closed bosonic string in 10 and 26 dimensions. Therefore the Susskind-Horowitz bosonic m-theory obtained by compactification on S1/Z2, which does not produce the correct coefficients, must be replaced by something that preserves K11 and K27. We argue that in 11D, a non-tri...

I begin with some memories of Abdus Salam who was my PhD supervisor. After reviewing the theory of non-linear realisations and Kac-Moody algebras, I explain how to construct the non-linear realisation based on the Kac-Moody algebra E11 and its vector representation. I explain how this field theory leads to dynamical equations which contain an infinite number of fields defined on a space time with an infinite number of coordinates. I then show that these unique dynamical equat...

It has previously been proposed that the the theory of strings and branes possesses a large symmetry group generated by the Kac-Moody algebra $E_{11}$. It has also previously been proposed that the the theory of gravitation in four dimensions possesses a large symmetry group generated by the Kac-Moody algebra $A_1^{+++}$. These symmetry groups predict the existence of an infinite collection of fields in each theory, including a field that can be interpreted as a dual graviton...

In this thesis we summarize the reformulation of the bosonic sector of eleven dimensional supergravity as a simultaneous nonlinear realisation based on the conformal group and an enlarged affine group called G11. The vielbein and the gauge fields of the theory appear as space-time dependent parameters of the coset representatives. Inside the corresponding algebra g11 we find the Borel subalgebra of e7, whereas performing the same procedure for the Borel subalgebra of e8 we ha...

An attempt is made to understand the root spaces of Kac Moody algebras of hyperbolic type, and in particular $E_{10}$, in terms of a DDF construction appropriate to a subcritical compactified bosonic string. While the level-one root spaces can be completely characterized in terms of transversal DDF states (the level-zero elements just span the affine subalgebra), longitudinal DDF states are shown to appear beyond level one. In contrast to previous treatments of such algebras,...

In the study of conjecture on M-theory as a non-linear realization $E_{11}/K_{11}$ we present arguments for the following: 1)roots of $K_{11}$ coincide with the roots of Kac-Moody algebra $EE_{11}$ with Dynkin diagram given in the paper, 2)one of the fundamental weights of $EE_{11}$ coincides with $l_1$ weight of $E_{11}$, known to contain 11d supergravity brane charges. The statement 1) is extended on $E_{10}$ and $E_9$ algebras.

We formulate the bosonic sector of IIB supergravity as a non-linear realisation. We show that this non-linear realisation contains the Borel subalgebras of SL(11) and $E_7$ and argue that it can be enlarged so as to be based on the rank eleven Kac-Moody algebra $E_{11}$

The focus of this thesis is on (1) the role of Ka\v c-Moody (KM) algebras in string theory and the development of techniques for systematically building string theory models based on higher level ($K\geq 2$) KM algebras and (2) fractional superstrings. In chapter two we review KM algebras and their role in string theory. In the next chapter, we present two results concerning the construction of modular invariant partition functions for conformal field theories built by tensor...

The representation theory of involutory (or 'maximal compact') subalgebras of infinite-dimensional Kac-Moody algebras is largely terra incognita, especially with regard to fermionic (double-valued) representations. Nevertheless, certain distinguished such representations feature prominently in proposals of possible symmetries underlying M theory, both at the classical and the quantum level. Here we summarise recent efforts to study spinorial representations systematically, mo...