Structure of supergravity theories

In this review, we give a pedagogical introduction to a systematic framework for constructing and analyzing supersymmetric field theories on curved spacetime manifolds. The framework is based on the use of off-shell supergravity background fields. We present the general principles, which broadly apply to theories with different amounts of supersymmetry in diverse dimensions, as well as specific applications to N=1 theories in four dimensions and their three-dimensional cousin...

An introduction to Seiberg-Witten theory and its relation to theories which include gravity.

I give a brief introduction to particle interactions based on representations of Poincare Lie algebra. This is later generalized to interactions based on representations of the supersymmetry Lie algebra. Globally supersymmetric models with internal symmetry and locally supersymmetric models leading to supergravity theories are presented. I also discuss higher dimensional supergravity theories and some of their applications.

We survey on-shell and off-shell higher derivative supergravities in dimensions $1\le D\le 11$. Various approaches to their construction, including the Noether procedure, (harmonic) superspace, superform method, superconformal tensor calculus, $S$-matrix and dimensional reduction, are summarized. Primarily the bosonic parts of the invariants and the supertransformations of the fermionic fields are provided. The process of going on-shell, solutions to the Killing spinor equati...

We provide a pedagogical introduction to $N=1$ supergravity/supersymmetry in relation to particle physics. The various steps in the construction of a generic $N=1$ supergravity model are briefly described, and we focus on its low energy supersymmetric limit. The conditions for supersymmetry and supergravity breaking are investigated, and realistic mechanisms suitable for particle physics identified. We then study the model-building aspects of `softly-broken' supersymmetric ex...

We review the definition of (maximally supersymmetric) vacuum in supergravity theories, the currently known vacua in arbitrary dimensions and how the associated supersymmetry algebras can be found. (Invited talk at the Spanish Relativity Meeting (``EREs'') 2002, Mao, Menorca, September 21-23 2002.)

We characterize all the supersymmetric configurations and solutions of minimal N=(1,0), d=6 supergravity coupled in the most general gauge-invariant way to an arbitrary number of tensor and vector multiplets and hypermultiplets.

A fairly non-technical introduction to and survey of supersymmetry phenomenology with pedagogical emphasis, including exercises. Suitable for both theorists and experimentalists. The manuscript appeared as a Springer-Verlag monograph in physics. The body of the manuscript is provided here with the publisher`s permission.

An overview of matter-coupled ${\cal N}=2$ supergravity theories with 8 real supercharges, in 4,5 and 6 dimensions is given. The construction of the theories by superconformal methods is explained from basic principles. Special geometry is obtained and characterized. The relation between the theories in those dimensions is discussed. This leads to the concepts of very special geometry and quaternionic-K\"ahler manifolds, whose structures are explained.

Spacetime superalgebras with 64 or less number of real supercharges, containing the type IIB Poincare superalgebra in (9,1) dimensions and the N=1 Poincare superalgebra in (10,1) are considered. The restriction D<14, and two distinct possibilities arise: The N=(1,0) superalgebra in (11,3) dimensions, and the N=(2,0) superalgebra in (10,2) dimensions. Emphasizing the former, we describe superparticle and super Yang-Mills systems in (11,3) dimensions. We also propose an N=(2,1)...