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arXiv · 1205.0176

On duality symmetry in perturbative quantum theory

R. Roiban·A. A. Tseytlin
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Abstract

Non-compact symmetries of extended 4d supergravities involve duality rotations of vectors and thus are not manifest off-shell invariances in standard "second-order" formulation. To study how such symmetries are realised in the quantum theory we consider examples in 2 dimensions where vector-vector duality is replaced by scalar-scalar one. Using a "doubled" formulation, where fields and their momenta are treated on an equal footing and the duality becomes a manifest symmetry of the action (at the expense of Lorentz symmetry), we argue that the corresponding on-shell quantum effective action or S-matrix are duality symmetric as well as Lorentz invariant. The simplest case of discrete Z_2 duality corresponds to a symmetry of the S-matrix under flipping the sign of the negative-chirality scalars in 2 dimensions or phase rotations of chiral (definite-helicity) parts of vectors in 4 dimensions. We also briefly discuss some 4d models and comment on implications of our analysis for extended supergravities.

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R. Roiban, A. A. Tseytlin. 2012-11-07. On duality symmetry in perturbative quantum theory. https://doi.org/10.1007/jhep10(2012)099

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