We develop a new approach to extracting the physical consequences of S-duality of four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills (SYM) and its string theory dual, based on $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ spectral theory. We observe that CFT observables $\mathcal{O}$, invariant under $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ transformations of a complexified gauge coupling $τ$, admit a unique spectral decomposition into a basis of square-integrable functions. This formulation has direct implications for the analytic structure of $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM data, both perturbatively and non-perturbatively in all parameters. For example, $k$-instanton sectors are uniquely determined by the zero- and one-instanton sectors, and Borel summable series around $k$-instantons have convergence radii with simple $k$-dependence. In large $N$ limits, we derive the existence and scaling of non-perturbative effects, which we exhibit for certain $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM observables. An elegant benchmark for these techniques is the integrated four-point function conjecturally determined by [arXiv:2102.09537] for all $τ$ for $SU(N)$ gauge group; we derive and elucidate its form.
These results have ramifications for holography. We explain how $\langle\mathcal{O}\rangle$, the ensemble average over the $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric conformal manifold with respect to the Zamolodchikov measure, is cleanly isolated by the spectral decomposition. We prove that the large $N$ limit of $\langle\mathcal{O}\rangle$ equals the large $N$, large 't Hooft coupling limit of $\mathcal{O}$. Holographically speaking, $\langle\mathcal{O}\rangle = \mathcal{O}_{\rm sugra}$, its value in type IIB supergravity on AdS$_5 \times$ S$^5$. This result, which extends to all orders in $1/N$, embeds ensemble averaging into the traditional AdS/CFT paradigm. The statistics of the $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ ensemble exhibit both perturbative and non-perturbative $1/N$ effects.
This Ph.D. thesis was submitted to the Catholic University of Leuven. We discuss two main topics: various formulations of duality-symmetric theories and D=5 supergravity (both construction and supersymmetric solutions). The thesis is structured as follows: Ch. 1 Introduction; Ch. 2 String theory toolkit; Ch. 3 Free duality-symmetric theories; Ch. 4 Interacting duality-symmetric theories; Ch. 5 Conformal supergravity in D=5: Weyl multiplets; Ch. 6 Conformal supergravity in D=5: matter and gauge-fixing; Ch. 7 Supersymmetric solutions in D=5 gauged supergravity.
Using Schrödinger functional methods, we show that in the ${\cal N}=4$ SYM/Type IIB Supergravity correspondence the renormalisation of the boundary Newton and gravitational constants arising from bulk fields cancels when we sum over all the Kaluza-Klein modes of Supergravity. This accords with the expected finiteness of ${\cal N}=4$ SYM, and it is expected that other renormalisations cancel in a similar way.
Starting from the bosonic sector of the M-theory super-five-brane we obtain the action for duality-symmetric three-brane and construct the consistent coupling of the proposed action with the bosonic sector of type IIB supergravity.
We discuss the relation between the dual formulations of Type IIB supergravity emphasizing the differences between Lorentz and Euclidean signature. We demonstrate how the SL(2,R) symmetry of the usual action is manifested in the solution of the equations of motion with Euclidean signature for the dual theory.
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 $E_{11}$
We study gravity duals of the minimal $N=2$ super Yang-Mills (SYM) gauge theories in five dimensions using the matter coupled $F(4)$ gauged supergravity in six dimensions. The $F(4)$ gauged supergravity coupled to $n$ vector multiplets contains $4n+1$ scalar fields, parametrized by $\mathbb{R}^+\times SO(4,n)/SO(4)\times SO(n)$ coset manifold. Maximally supersymmetric vacua of the gauged supergravity with $SU(2)\times G$ gauge group, with $G$ being an $n$-dimensional subgroup of $SO(n)$, correspond to five dimensional superconformal field theories (SCFTs) with $SU(2)_R$ R-symmetry and $G$ glob…
We show that the recently found quartic action for the scalars from the massless graviton multiplet of type IIB supergravity compactified on AdS_5\times S^5 background coincides with the relevant part of the action of the gauged N=8 5d supergravity on AdS_5. We then use this action to compute the 4-point function of the lowest weight chiral primary operators $\tr(ϕ^{(i}ϕ^{j)})$ in N=4 SYM_4 at large $N$ and at strong `t Hooft coupling.
All cubic couplings in type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times S^5$ that involve two scalar fields $s^I$ that are mixtures of the five form field strength on $S^5$ and the trace of the graviton on $S^5$ are derived by using the covariant equations of motion and the quadratic action for type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times S^5$. All corresponding three-point functions in SYM$_4$ are calculated in the supergravity approximation. It is pointed out that the scalars $s^I$ correspond not to the chiral primary operators in the ${\cal N}=4$ SYM but rather to a proper extension of the operators.
The standard eleven-dimensional supergravity action depends on a three-form gauge field and does not allow direct coupling to five-branes. Using previously developed methods, we construct a covariant eleven-dimensional supergravity action depending on a three-form and six-form gauge field in a duality-symmetric manner. This action is coupled to both the M-theory two-brane and five-brane, and corresponding equations of motion are obtained. Consistent coupling relates D=11 duality properties with self-duality properties of the M-5-brane. From this duality-symmetric formulation, one can derive an…
The role of duality symmetries in the construction of counterterms for maximal supergravity theories is discussed in a field-theoretic context from different points of view. These are: dimensional reduction, the question of whether appropriate superspace measures exist and information about non-linear invariants that can be gleaned from linearised ones. The former allows us to prove that F-term counterterms cannot be E7(7)-invariant in D=4, N=8 supergravity or E6(6)-invariant in D=5 maximal supergravity. This is confirmed by the two other methods which can also be applied to D=4 theories with …
A description of the bosonic sector of ten-dimensional N=1 supergravity as a non-linear realisation is given. We show that if a suitable extension of this theory were invariant under a Kac-Moody algebra, then this algebra would have to contain a rank eleven Kac-Moody algebra, that can be identified to be a particular real form of very-extended D_8. We also describe the extension of N=1 supergravity coupled to an abelian vector gauge field as a non-linear realisation, and find the Kac-Moody algebra governing the symmetries of this theory to be very-extended B_8. Finally, we discuss the related …
The asymptotic symmetry algebra of $\mathcal{N}=1$ supergravity was recently constructed using the well-known $2$D celestial CFT (CCFT) technique in ArXiv: 2007.03785. In this paper, we extend the construction to the maximally supersymmetric four dimensional $\mathcal{N}=8$ supergravity theory in asymptotically flat spacetime and construct the extended asymptotic symmetry algebra, which we call $\mathcal{N}=8$ $\mathfrak{sbms}_4$. We use the celestial CFT technique to find the appropriate currents for extensions of $\mathcal{N}=8$ super-Poincaré and $\mathrm{SU}(8)_R$ R-symmetry current algebr…
Black hole solutions of supergravity theories form families that realizing the deep nonlinear "duality" symmetries of these theories. They form orbits under the action of these symmetry groups, with extremal (i.e. BPS) solutions at the limits of such orbits. An important technique in the analysis of such solution families employs timelike dimensional reduction and exchanges the stationary black-hole problem for a nonlinear sigma-model problem. Families of extremal or BPS solutions are characterized by nilpotent orbits under the duality symmetries, based upon a tri-graded or penta-graded decomp…
We give a complete account of the Schrödinger representation approach to the calculation of the Weyl anomaly of ${\cal N}=4$ SYM from the AdS/CFT correspondence. On the AdS side, the $1/N^2$ correction to the leading order result receives contributions from all the fields of Type IIB Supergravity, the contribution of each field being given by a universal formula. The correct matching with the CFT result is thus a highly non-trivial test of the correspondence.
In this paper which is based on the results obtained in collaboration with Igor Bandos and Dmitri Sorokin I present the extention of the "doubled fields" formalism by Cremmer, Julia, Lu and Pope to the supersymmetric case and lifting this construction onto the level of the proper duality-symmetric action for D=11 supergravity. Further extension of the doubled field formulation to include dynamical sources is also discussed.
We review the underlying algebraic structures of supergravity theories with symmetric scalar manifolds in five and four dimensions, orbits of their extremal black hole solutions and the spectrum generating extensions of their U-duality groups. For 5D, N=2 Maxwell-Einstein supergravity theories (MESGT) defined by Euclidean Jordan algebras, J, the spectrum generating symmetry groups are the conformal groups Conf(J) of J which are isomorphic to their U-duality groups in four dimensions. Similarly, the spectrum generating symmetry groups of 4D, N=2 MESGTs are the quasiconformal groups QConf(J) ass…
We study the perturbative quantisation of N=8 supergravity in a formulation where its E7(7) symmetry is realised off-shell. Relying on the cancellation of SU(8) current anomalies we show that there are no anomalies for the non-linearly realised E7(7) either; this result extends to all orders in perturbation theory. As a consequence, the e7(7) Ward identities can be consistently implemented and imposed at all orders in perturbation theory, and therefore potential divergent counterterms must in particular respect the full non-linear E7(7) symmetry.
We describe how one may use either the superPoincaré algebra or the exceptional algebra to construct maximal supergravity theories in the light-cone formalism. The d=4 construction shows both symmetries albeit in a non-linearly realized manner. In d=11, we find that we have to choose which of these two symmetries to use, in constructing the theory. In order to understand the other "unused" symmetry, one has to perform a highly non-trivial field redefinition. We argue that this shows that one cannot trust counterterm arguments that do not take the full symmetry of the theory into account. Final…
We consider the role of N=4 conformal supergravity in the relation between N=4 SYM theory and D=5 gauged supergravity expanded near the Anti de Sitter background. We discuss the structure of the SYM effective action in conformal supergravity background, in particular, terms related to conformal anomaly. Solving the leading-order Dirichlet problem for the metric perturbation in AdS background we explicitly compute the bilinear graviton term in the D=5 Einstein action, demonstrating its equivalence to the linearized Weyl tensor squared part of the gravitational effective action induced by SYM th…
We study six-dimensional N=(1,0) supergravity theories with abelian, as well as non-abelian, gauge group factors. We show that for theories with fewer than nine tensor multiplets, the number of possible combinations of gauge groups - including abelian factors - and non-abelian matter representations is finite. We also identify infinite families of theories with distinct U(1) charges that cannot be ruled out using known quantum consistency conditions, though only a finite subset of these can arise from known string constructions.
We determine the gauge symmetries of all p-forms in maximal three-dimensional gauged supergravity by requiring invariance of the Lagrangian. It is shown that in a particular ungauged limit these symmetries are in precise correspondence to those predicted by the very-extended Kac-Moody algebra E11. We demonstrate that whereas in the ungauged limit the bosonic gauge algebra closes off-shell, the closure is only on-shell in the full gauged theory. This underlines the importance of dynamics for understanding the Kac-Moody origin of the symmetries of gauged supergravity.
Drawing an analogy between gravity dynamical equation of motion and that of Maxwell electrodynamics with an electric source we outline a way of appearance of a dual to graviton field. We propose a dimensional reduction ansatz for the field strength of this field which reproduces the correct duality relations between fields arising in the dimensional reduction of D-dimensional gravity action to D-1 dimensions. Modifying the PST approach we construct a new term entering the action of D=11 duality-symmetric gravity and by use of the proposed ansatz we confirm the relevance of such a term to repro…
We derive a new non-singular tree-level KLT relation for the $n=5$-point amplitudes, with manifest $2(n-2)!$ symmetry, using information from one-loop amplitudes and IR divergences, and speculate how one might extend it to higher n-point functions. We show that the subleading-color ${\cal N}=4$ SYM 5-point amplitude has leading IR divergence of $1/ε$, which is essential for the applications of this paper. We also propose a relation between the subleading-color ${\cal N}=4$ SYM and ${\cal N}=8$ supergravity 1-loop 5-point amplitudes, valid for the IR divergences and possibly for the whole ampli…
We obtain a general class of time-dependent, asymptotically de Sitter backgrounds which solve the first order bosonic equations that extremize the action for supergravity with gauged non-compact $R$-symmetry. These backgrounds correspond only to neutral fields with the correct sign of kinetic energy. Within N=2 five-dimensional supergravity with vector-superfields we provide examples of multi-centered charged black holes in asymptotic de Sitter space, whose spatial part is given by a time-dependent hyper-Kähler space. Reducing these backgrounds to four dimensions yields asymptotically de Sitte…
We explore the structure of maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills correlators in the supergravity regime. We develop an algorithm to construct one-loop supergravity amplitudes of four arbitrary Kaluza-Klein supergravity states, properly dualised into single-particle operators. We illustrate this algorithm by constructing new explicit results for multi-channel correlation functions, and we show that correlators which are degenerate at tree level become distinguishable at one-loop. The algorithm contains a number of subtle features which have not appeared until now. In particular, we address the p…
We present an alternative formulation of duality-symmetric eleven-dimensional supergravity with both three-form and six-form gauge fields. Instead of the recently-proposed scalar auxiliary field, we use a simpler lagrangian with a non-propagating auxiliary multiplier tensor field with eight-indices. We also complete the superspace formulation in a duality-symmetric manner. An alternative super M-5-brane action coupled to this eleven-dimensional background is also presented. This formulation bypasses the usual obstruction for an invariant lagrangian for a self-dual three-form field strength, by…
N=4 Poincare supergravity has a global SU(1,1) duality symmetry that acts manifestly only on shell as it involves duality rotations of vector fields. A U(1) subgroup of this symmetry is known to be anomalous at the quantum level in the presence of a non-trivial gravitational background. We first derive this anomaly from a novel perspective, by relating it to a similar anomaly in conformal supergravity where SU(1,1) acts off shell, using the fact that N=4 Poincare supergravity has a superconformal formulation. We explicitly construct the corresponding local and nonlocal anomalous terms in the o…
By introducing a nonlinearly transforming goldstino field non-super\-sym\-metric matter can be coupled to supergravity. This implies the possibility of coupling a standard model with one Higgs to supergravity.
Complimentary geometric and non-geometric consistent reductions of IIB supergravity are studied. The geometric reductions on the identified group manifold X are found to have a gauge symmetry with Lie algebroid structure, generalising that found in similar reductions of the Bosonic string theory and eleven-dimensional supergravity. Examples of such compactifications are considered and the symmetry breaking in each case is analysed. Complimentary to the reductions on X are the nine-dimensional S-duality twisted reductions considered in the second half of the paper. The general reduced theory is…
We study SL(3,R) deformations of a type IIB background based on D5 branes that is conjectured to be dual to N=1 SYM. We argue that this deformation of the geometry correspond to turning on a dipole deformation in the field theory on the D5 branes. We give evidence that this deformation only affects the KK-sector of the dual field theory and helps decoupling the KK dynamics from the pure gauge dynamics. Similar deformations of the geometry that is dual to N=2 SYM are studied. Finally, we also study a deformation that leaves us with a possible candidate for a dual to N=0 YM theory.
We obtain a bosonization prescription that allows to represent the energy-momentum tensor and supersymmetry generators of non-critical superstring theories with minimal matter as those of topological supergravity. Superstrings with $N=1$ and $N=2$ world-sheet supersymmetry are considered. The topological symmetry associated with the topological supergravity representation is studied. It is shown, in particular, that the compatibility of this topological structure with the supersymmetry enhances the superconformal symmetry of the models concerned.
We consider a new MacDowell-Mansouri R^2-type of supergravity theory, an extension of conformal supergravity, based on the superalgebra Osp(1|8). Invariance under local symmetries with negative Weyl weight is achieved by imposing chirality-duality and double-duality constraints on curvatures, along with the usual constraint of vanishing supertorsion. An analysis of the remaining gauge symmetries shows that those with vanishing Weyl weight are invariances of the action at the linearized level. For the symmetries with positive Weyl weight we find that invariance of the action would require furth…
We construct a non-relativistic limit of ten-dimensional N=1 supergravity from the point of view of the symmetries, the action, and the equations of motion. This limit can only be realized in a supersymmetric way provided we impose by hand a set of geometric constraints, invariant under all the symmetries of the non-relativistic theory, that define a so-called `self-dual' Dilatation-invariant String Newton-Cartan geometry. The non-relativistic action exhibits three emerging symmetries: one local scale symmetry and two local conformal supersymmetries. Due to these emerging symmetries the Poisso…
We consider duality transformations in N=2, d=4 Yang--Mills theory coupled to N=2 supergravity. A symplectic and coordinate covariant framework is established, which allows one to discuss stringy `classical and quantum duality symmetries' (monodromies), incorporating T and S dualities. In particular, we shall be able to study theories (like N=2 heterotic strings) which are formulated in symplectic basis where a `holomorphic prepotential' F does not exist, and yet give general expressions for all relevant physical quantities. Duality transformations and symmetries for the N=1 matter coupled Yan…
The general non-split scalar coset of supergravity theories is discussed.The symmetric space sigma model is studied in two equivalent formulations and for different coset parametrizations.The dualisation and the local first order formulation is performed for the non-split scalar coset G/K when the rigid symmetry group G is a real form of a non-compact semisimple Lie group (not necessarily split) and the local symmetry group K is G's maximal compact subgroup.A comparison with the scalar cosets arising in the T^{10-D}-compactification of the heterotic string theory in ten dimensions is also ment…
Employing the AdS/CFT correspondence, we give an explicit supergravity picture for the renormalization group flow of couplings 4-d super Yang Mills with four supercharges. The solution represents a domain wall of 5-d, N=2 supergravity, that interpolates between two (different) AdS_5 vacua and is obtained by gauging a U(1) subgroup of the SU(2) R-symmetry. On the supergravity side the domain wall couples only to scalar fields from vector mulitplets, but not to scalars from hyper multiplets. We discuss the c-theorem, the beta-functions and consider two examples: one is the sugra solution related…
N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with gauge group SU(n) (n>=3) is believed to have two exactly marginal deformations which break the supersymmetry to N=1. We discuss the construction of the string theory dual to these deformations, in the supergravity approximation, in a perturbation series around the AdS_5 * S^5 solution. We construct explicitly the deformed solution at second order in the deformation. We show that deformations which are marginal but not exactly marginal lead to a non-conformal solution with a logarithmically running coupling constant. Surprisingly, at third order in the …
We construct the noncommutative deformation of the Maldacena-Nunez supergravity solution. The background describes a bound state of D5-D3 branes wrapping an S^2 inside a Calabi-Yau three-fold, and in the presence of a magnetic B-field. The dual field theory in the IR is a N=1 U(N) SYM theory with spatial noncommutativity. We show that, under certain conditions, the massive Kaluza-Klein states can be decoupled and that UV/IR mixing seems to be visible in our solution. By calculating the quark-antiquark potential via the Wilson loop we show confinement in the IR and strong repulsion at closer di…
We derive a linear relation between the one-loop five-point amplitude of N=8 supergravity and the one-loop five-point subleading-color amplitudes of N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory.
We address the issue of correspondence between classical supergravity and quantum super Yang-Mills (or Matrix theory) expressions for the long-distance, low-velocity interaction potentials between 0-branes and various bound states of branes. The leading-order potentials are known to be reproduced by the F^4 terms in the 1-loop SYM effective action. Using self-consistency considerations, we determine a universal combination of F^6 terms in the 2-loop SYM effective action that corresponds to the subleading terms in the supergravity potentials in many cases, including 0-brane scattering off 1/8 s…
The IR divergences of supergravity amplitudes are less severe than those of planar SYM amplitudes, and are comparable to those subleading-color SYM amplitudes that are most subleading in the 1/N expansion, namely O(1/epsilon^L) for L-loop amplitudes. We derive linear relations between one- and two-loop four-point amplitudes and one-loop five-point amplitudes of N = 4, 5, and 6 supergravity and the most-subleading-color contributions of the analogous amplitudes of N = 0, 1, and 2 SYM theory, extending earlier results for N = 8 supergravity amplitudes. Our work relies on linear relations between…
We derive a duality-symmetric action for type IIA D=10 supergravity by the Kaluza-Klein dimensional reduction of the duality-symmetric action for D=11 supergravity with the 3-form and 6-form gauge field. We then double the bosonic fields arising as a result of the Kaluza-Klein dimensional reduction and add mass terms to embrace the Romans's version, so that in its final form the bosonic part of the action contains the dilaton, NS-NS and RR potentials of the standard type IIA supergravity as well as their duals, the corresponding duality relations are deduced directly from the action. We discus…
We construct a new $N=4$ non-semisimple gauged supergravity in three dimensions with $E_{6(2)}/SU(6)\times SU(2)$ scalar manifold and $SO(4)\ltimes \mathbf{T}^6$ gauge group. Depending on the values of the gauge coupling constants, the theory admits both the maximally supersymmetric $AdS_3$ vacuum preserving $SO(4)$ gauge symmetry and half-supersymmetric domain walls with unbroken $SO(4)$ symmetry. We give all scalar masses at the supersymmetric $AdS_3$ critical point corresponding to an $N=(4,0)$ superconformal field theory (SCFT) in two dimensions. The scalar potential also admits two flat d…
We probe a non-supersymmetric D6 + D0 state with D6-branes and find agreement at subleading order between the supergravity and super Yang-Mills description of the long-distance, low-velocity interaction.
We give N=1 supersymmetric extension of D=4 dual gravity non-linear action proposed in arXiv:0806.2775. The dual supergravity action and symmetries of the model, but supersymmetry, are realized in a local way.
A new class of metastable de Sitter vacua is presented and analyzed in N =1 supergravity and string theory with tunable (infinitesimally small) value of the cosmological constant. They are based on a gauged R-symmetry and the minimal spectrum contains a vector and a linear multiplet of the string dilaton or of a compactification modulus. In the minimum of the scalar potential supersymmetry is broken by an expectation value of both a D- and F-term.
General $\mathcal{N}=(1,0)$ supergravity-matter systems in six dimensions may be described using one of the two fully fledged superspace formulations for conformal supergravity: (i) $\mathsf{SU}(2)$ superspace; and (ii) conformal superspace. With motivation to develop rigid supersymmetric field theories in curved space, this paper is devoted to the study of the geometric symmetries of supergravity backgrounds. In particular, we introduce the notion of a conformal Killing spinor superfield $ε^α$, which proves to generate extended superconformal transformations. Among its cousins are the conform…
For $G(\mathbb{R})$ a split, simply connected, semisimple Lie group of rank $n$ and $K$ the maximal compact subgroup of $G$, we give a method for computing Iwasawa coordinates of $G/K$ using the Chevalley generators and the Steinberg presentation. When $G/K$ is a scalar coset for a supergravity theory in dimensions $\geq 3$, we determine the action of the integral form $G(\mathbb{Z})$ on $G/K$. We give explicit results for the action of the discrete $U$--duality groups $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$ and $E_7(\mathbb{Z})$ on the scalar cosets $SL_2(\mathbb{R})/SO_2(\mathbb{R})$ and $E_{7(+7)}(\mathbb{R})/[…
From general supergravity theory with unified gauge symmetry, we obtain the low-energy effective Lagrangian by taking the flat limit and integrating out the superheavy fields in model-independent manner. The scalar potential possesses some excellent features. Some light fields classified by using supersymmetric fermion mass, in general, would get intermediate masses at the tree level after the supersymmetry is broken. We show that the stability of weak scale can be guaranteed under some conditions. There exist extra non-universal contributions to soft supersymmetry breaking terms which can giv…
Freudenthal duality in N=2, D=4 ungauged supergravity is generated by an anti-involutive operator that acts on the electromagnetic fluxes, and results to be a symmetry of the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. We show that, with a suitable extension, this duality can be generalized to the abelian gauged case as well, even in presence of hypermultiplets. By defining Freudenthal duality along the scalar flow, one can prove that two configurations of charges and gaugings linked by the Freudenthal operator share the same set of values of the scalar fields at the black hole horizon. Consequently, Freudent…
We analyze the polynomial part of the Iwasawa realization of the coset representative of non compact symmetric Riemannian spaces. We start by studying the role of Kostant's principal SU(2)_P subalgebra of simple Lie algebras, and how it determines the structure of the nilpotent subalgebras. This allows us to compute the maximal degree of the polynomials for all faithful representations of Lie algebras. In particular the metric coefficients are related to the scalar kinetic terms while the representation of electric and magnetic charges is related to the coupling of scalars to vector field stre…
A previously proposed all-loop-orders relation between the Regge limits of four-point amplitudes of N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and N=8 supergravity is established at the three-loop level. We show that the Regge limit of known expressions for the amplitudes obtained using generalized unitarity simplifies in both cases to a (modified) sum over three-loop ladder and crossed-ladder scalar diagrams. This in turn is consistent with the result obtained using the eikonal representation of the four-point gravity amplitude. A possible exact three-loop relation between four-point amplitudes is …
We find a parametrically light dilaton in special confining theories in three dimensions. Their duals form what we call a scion of solutions to the supergravity associated with the large-N limit of the Coulomb branch of the N=4 Super-Yang-Mills (SYM) theory. The supergravity description contains one scalar with bulk mass that saturates the Breitenlohner-Freedman unitarity bound. The new solutions are defined within supergravity, they break supersymmetry and scale invariance, and one dimension is compactified on a shrinking circle, yet they are completely regular. An approximate dilaton appears…
We study the symmetries of pure N=2 supergravity in D=4. As is known, this theory reduced on one Killing vector is characterised by a non-linearly realised symmetry SU(2,1) which is a non-split real form of SL(3,C). We consider the BPS brane solutions of the theory preserving half of the supersymmetry and the action of SU(2,1) on them. Furthermore we provide evidence that the theory exhibits an underlying algebraic structure described by the Lorentzian Kac-Moody group SU(2,1)^{+++}. This evidence arises both from the correspondence between the bosonic space-time fields of N=2 supergravity in D…
We review the application of a duality-symmetric approach to gravity and supergravity with emphasizing benefits and disadvantages of the formulation. Contents of these notes includes: 1) Introduction with putting the accent on the role of dual gravity within M-theory; 2) Dualization of gravity with a cosmological constant in D = 3; 3) On-shell description of dual gravity in D > 3; 4) Construction of the duality-symmetric action for General Relativity with/without matter fields; 5) On-shell description of dual gravity in linearized approximation; 6) Brief summary of the paper.
We argue that accidental approximate scaling symmetries are robust predictions of weakly coupled string vacua, and show that their interplay with supersymmetry and other (generalised) internal symmetries underlies the ubiquitous appearance of no-scale supergravities in low-energy 4D EFTs. We identify 4 nested types of no-scale supergravities, and show how leading quantum corrections can break scale invariance while preserving some no-scale properties (including non-supersymmetric flat directions). We use these ideas to classify corrections to the low-energy 4D supergravity action in perturbati…
