Symmetry and holonomy in M Theory

We report on recent developments regarding the supersymmetric Free Differential Algebra describing the vacuum structure of $D=11$ supergravity. We focus on the emergence of a hidden superalgebra underlying the theory, explaining the group-theoretical role played by the nilpotent fermionic generator naturally appearing for consistency of the construction. We also discuss the relation between this hidden superalgebra and other superalgebras of particular relevance in the contex...

This contribution gives a personal view on recent attempts to find a unified framework for non-perturbative string theories, with special emphasis on the hidden symmetries of supergravity and their possible role in this endeavor. A reformulation of $d=11$ supergravity with enlarged tangent space symmetry SO(1,2) $\times$ SO(16) is discussed from this perspective, as well as an ansatz to construct yet further versions with SO(1,1) $\times$ SO(16)$^\infty$ and possibly even SO(...

This thesis is devoted to the study of dynamical symmetry enhancement of black hole horizons in string theory. In particular, we consider supersymmetric horizons in the low energy limit of string theory known as supergravity and we prove the $\textit{horizon conjecture}$ for a number of supergravity theories. We first give important examples of symmetry enhancement in $D=4$ and the mathematical preliminaries required for the analysis. Type IIA supergravity is the low energy l...

The eleven-dimensional gravitational action invariant under local Poincare transformations is given by the dimensional continuation of the Euler class of ten dimensions. Here we show that the supersymmetric extension of this action leads, through the Noether procedure, to a theory with the local symmetry group given by the M-algebra. The fields of the theory are the vielbein, the Lorentz (spin) connection, one gravitino, and two 1-forms which transform as second and fifth ran...

After introducing the notion of BPS preons as the basic constituents of M-theory, we discuss the recent negative results in the search for solutions of the D=10 and D=11 supergravity equations preserving 31/32 supersymmetries i.e., of preonic solutions. The absence of these supergravity preonic solutions may point out to a pure quantum nature of BPS preons, manifesting itself in the need of incorporating quantum (stringy/M-theoretic) corrections to the supergravity equations.

In the first lecture we review the current status of local supersymmetry. In the second lecture we focus on D=11 supergravity as the low-energy limit of M-theory and pose the questions: (1) What are the D=11 symmetries? (2) How many supersymmetries can M-theory vacua preserve?

In this paper we clarify the relations occurring among the osp(1|32) algebra, the M-algebra and the hidden superalgebra underlying the Free Differential Algebra of D=11 supergravity (to which we will refer as DF-algebra) that was introduced in the literature by D'Auria and Fr\'e in 1981 and is actually a (Lorentz valued) central extension of the M-algebra including a nilpotent spinor generator, Q'. We focus in particular on the 4-form cohomology in 11D superspace of the super...

The low-energy effective dynamics of M-theory, eleven-dimensional supergravity, is taken off-shell in a manifestly supersymmetric superspace formulation. We show that a previously proposed relaxation of the torsion constraints can indeed accomodate a current supermultiplet. We comment on the relation and application of this completely general formalism to higher-derivative (R^4) corrections. This talk was presented by Bengt EW Nilsson at the Triangle Meeting 2000 ``Non-pertur...

In the main part of this thesis, we present the foundations and initial results of the Spinorial Geometry formalism for solving Killing spinor equations. This method can be used for any supergravity theory, although we largely focus on D=11 supergravity. The D=5 case is investigated in an appendix. The exposition provides a comprehensive introduction to the formalism, and contains background material on the complex spin representations which, it is hoped, will provide a usefu...

We discuss some possible relationships in gauge theories, string theory and M theory in the light of some recent results obtained in gauge invariant supersymmetric quantum mechanics. In particular this reveals a new relationship between the gauge group E_8 and 11-dimensional space.