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Axel Kleinschmidt

Publications and source records attributed to Axel Kleinschmidt.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Perturbative terms of Kac-Moody-Eisenstein series

Supersymmetric theories of gravity can exhibit surprising hidden symmetries when considered on manifolds that include a torus. When the torus is of large dimension these symmetries can become infinite-dimensional and of Kac-Moody type. When taking quantum effects into account the symmetries become discrete and invariant functions under these symmetries should play an important role in quantum gravity. The new results here concern surprising simplifications in the constant terms of very particular Eisenstein series on the these Kac-Moody groups. These are exactly the cases that are expected to arise in string theory.

hep-th↗

The gauge structure of generalised diffeomorphisms

We investigate the generalised diffeomorphisms in M-theory, which are gauge transformations unifying diffeomorphisms and tensor gauge transformations. After giving an En(n)-covariant description of the gauge transformations and their commutators, we show that the gauge algebra is infinitely reducible, i.e., the tower of ghosts for ghosts is infinite. The Jacobiator of generalised diffeomorphisms gives such a reducibility transformation. We give a concrete description of the ghost structure, and demonstrate that the infinite sums give the correct (regularised) number of degrees of freedom. The ghost towers belong to the sequences of rep- resentations previously observed appearing in tensor hierarchies and Borcherds algebras. All calculations rely on the section condition, which we reformulate as a linear condition on the cotangent directions. The analysis holds for n < 8. At n = 8, where the dual gravity field becomes relevant, the natural guess for the gauge parameter and its reducibility still yields the correct counting of gauge parameters.

hep-th↗

Supersymmetric Domain Walls

We classify the half-supersymmetric "domain walls", i.e. branes of codimension one, in toroidally compactified IIA/IIB string theory and show to which gauged supergravity theory each of these domain walls belong. We use as input the requirement of supersymmetric Wess-Zumino terms, the properties of the E11 Kac-Moody algebra and the embedding tensor formalism. We show that the number of half-supersymmetric domain walls is a multiple of the number of corresponding central charges in the supersymmetry algebra, where the multiplicity is related to the degeneracy of the BPS conditions.

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Eisenstein series for infinite-dimensional U-duality groups

We consider Eisenstein series appearing as coefficients of curvature corrections in the low-energy expansion of type II string theory four-graviton scattering amplitudes. We define these Eisenstein series over all groups in the E_n series of string duality groups, and in particular for the infinite-dimensional Kac-Moody groups E9, E10 and E11. We show that, remarkably, the so-called constant term of Kac-Moody-Eisenstein series contains only a finite number of terms for particular choices of a parameter appearing in the definition of the series. This resonates with the idea that the constant term of the Eisenstein series encodes perturbative string corrections in BPS-protected sectors allowing only a finite number of corrections. We underpin our findings with an extensive discussion of physical degeneration limits in D<3 space-time dimensions.

hep-th↗

Real forms of extended Kac-Moody symmetries and higher spin gauge theories

We consider the relation between higher spin gauge fields and real Kac-Moody Lie algebras. These algebras are obtained by double and triple extensions of real forms g_0 of the finite-dimensional simple algebras g arising in dimensional reductions of gravity and supergravity theories. Besides providing an exhaustive list of all such algebras, together with their associated involutions and restricted root diagrams, we are able to prove general properties of their spectrum of generators with respect to a decomposition of the triple extension of g_0 under its gravity subalgebra gl(D,R). These results are then combined with known consistent models of higher spin gauge theory to prove that all but finitely many generators correspond to non-propagating fields and there are no higher spin fields contained in the Kac-Moody algebra.

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Counting supersymmetric branes

Maximal supergravity solutions are revisited and classified, with particular emphasis on objects of co-dimension at most two. This class of solutions includes branes whose tension scales with g_s^{-σ} for σ>2. We present a group theory derivation of the counting of these objects based on the corresponding tensor hierarchies derived from E11 and discrete T- and U-duality transformations. This provides a rationale for the wrapping rules that were recently discussed for σ<4 in the literature and extends them. Explicit supergravity solutions that give rise to co-dimension two branes are constructed and analysed.

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Modular realizations of hyperbolic Weyl groups

We study the recently discovered isomorphisms between hyperbolic Weyl groups and unfamiliar modular groups. These modular groups are defined over integer domains in normed division algebras, and we focus on the cases involving quaternions and octonions. We outline how to construct and analyse automorphic forms for these groups; their structure depends on the underlying arithmetic properties of the integer domains. We also give a new realization of the Weyl group W(E8) in terms of unit octavians and their automorphism group.

math.NT↗

An M-theory solution from null roots in E11

We find a purely gravitational classical solution of M-theory/eleven-dimensional supergravity which corresponds to a solution of the E10 brane sigma-model involving a null root. This solution is not supersymmetric and is regularly embedded into E11.

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Instanton Corrections to the Universal Hypermultiplet and Automorphic Forms on SU(2,1)

The hypermultiplet moduli space in Type IIA string theory compactified on a rigid Calabi-Yau threefold X, corresponding to the "universal hypermultiplet", is described at tree-level by the symmetric space SU(2,1)/(SU(2) x U(1)). To determine the quantum corrections to this metric, we posit that a discrete subgroup of the continuous tree-level isometry group SU(2,1), namely the Picard modular group SU(2,1;Z[i]), must remain unbroken in the exact metric -- including all perturbative and non perturbative quantum corrections. This assumption is expected to be valid when X admits complex multiplication by Z[i]. Based on this hypothesis, we construct an SU(2,1;Z[i])-invariant, non-holomorphic Eisenstein series, and tentatively propose that this Eisenstein series provides the exact contact potential on the twistor space over the universal hypermultiplet moduli space. We analyze its non-Abelian Fourier expansion, and show that the Abelian and non-Abelian Fourier coefficients take the required form for instanton corrections due to Euclidean D2-branes wrapping special Lagrangian submanifolds, and to Euclidean NS5-branes wrapping the entire Calabi-Yau threefold, respectively. While this tentative proposal fails to reproduce the correct one-loop correction, the consistency of the Fourier expansion with physics expectations provides strong support for the utility of the Picard modular group in constraining the quantum moduli space.

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Rigid Calabi-Yau threefolds, Picard Eisenstein series and instantons

Type IIA string theory compactified on a rigid Calabi-Yau threefold gives rise to a classical moduli space that carries an isometric action of U(2,1). Various quantum corrections break this continuous isometry to a discrete subgroup. Focussing on the case where the intermediate Jacobian of the Calabi-Yau admits complex multiplication by the ring of quadratic imaginary integers O_d, we argue that the remaining quantum duality group is an arithmetic Picard modular group PU(2,1;O_d). Based on this proposal we construct an Eisenstein series invariant under this duality group and study its non-Abelian Fourier expansion. This allows the prediction of non-perturbative effects, notably the contribution of D2- and NS5-brane instantons. The present work extends our previous analysis in 0909.4299 which was restricted to the special case of the Gaussian integers O_1=Z[i].

hep-th↗

Remarks on Gauge Invariance and First-Class Constraints

Gauge symmetries lead to first-class constraints. This assertion is of course true only for non trivial gauge symmetries, i.e., gauge symmetries that act non trivially on-shell on the dynamical variables. We illustrate this well-appreciated fact for time reparametrization invariance in the context of modifications of gravity -suggested in a recent proposal by Horava-in which the Hamiltonian constraint is deformed by arbitrary spatial diffeomorphism invariant terms, where some subtleties are found to arise.

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Cosmological quantum billiards

The mini-superspace quantization of D=11 supergravity is equivalent to the quantization of a E10/K(E10) coset space sigma model, when the latter is restricted to the E10 Cartan subalgebra. As a consequence, the wavefunctions solving the relevant mini-superspace Wheeler-DeWitt equation involve automorphic (Maass wave) forms under the modular group W^+(E10)=PSL(2,O). Using Dirichlet boundary conditions on the billiard domain a general inequality for the Laplace eigenvalues of these automorphic forms is derived, entailing a wave function of the universe that is generically complex and always tends to zero when approaching the initial singularity. The significance of these properties for the nature of singularities in quantum cosmology in comparison with other approaches is discussed. The present approach also offers interesting new perspectives on some long standing issues in canonical quantum gravity.

gr-qc↗

Sugawara-type constraints in hyperbolic coset models

In the conjectured correspondence between supergravity and geodesic models on infinite-dimensional hyperbolic coset spaces, and E10/K(E10) in particular, the constraints play a central role. We present a Sugawara-type construction in terms of the E10 Noether charges that extends these constraints infinitely into the hyperbolic algebra, in contrast to the truncated expressions obtained in arXiv:0709.2691 that involved only finitely many generators. Our extended constraints are associated to an infinite set of roots which are all imaginary, and in fact fill the closed past light-cone of the Lorentzian root lattice. The construction makes crucial use of the E10 Weyl group and of the fact that the E10 model contains both D=11 supergravity and D=10 IIB supergravity. Our extended constraints appear to unite in a remarkable manner the different canonical constraints of these two theories. This construction may also shed new light on the issue of `open constraint algebras' in traditional canonical approaches to gravity.

hep-th↗

A dynamical inconsistency of Horava gravity

The dynamical consistency of the non-projectable version of Horava gravity is investigated by focusing on the asymptotically flat case. It is argued that for generic solutions of the constraint equations the lapse must vanish asymptotically. We then consider particular values of the coupling constants for which the equations are tractable and in that case we prove that the lapse must vanish everywhere -- and not only at infinity. Put differently, the Hamiltonian constraints are generically all second-class. We then argue that the same feature holds for generic values of the couplings, thus revealing a physical inconsistency of the theory. In order to cure this pathology, one might want to introduce further constraints but the resulting theory would then lose much of the appeal of the original proposal by Horava. We also show that there is no contradiction with the time reparametrization invariance of the action, as this invariance is shown to be a so-called "trivial gauge symmetry" in Horava gravity, hence with no associated first-class constraints.

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Some Algebraic Aspects of Half-BPS Bound States in M-Theory

We revisit non-marginal half-BPS solutions of M-theory in the framework of the possible existence of an underlying E11 Kac-Moody symmetry. In this context, non-marginal BPS solutions of M-theory can be described as exact solutions of the brane sigma-model E10/K(E10), extending results obtained earlier for marginal BPS solutions. We uncover an elegant and simple algebraic structure underlying the bound states by looking at subalgebras embedded in E10. Furthermore, we show that the non-marginal BPS solutions can be obtained from the elementary marginal ones by the action of K(E10) transformations.

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Supersymmetric quantum cosmological billiards

D=11 Supergravity near a space-like singularity admits a cosmological billiard description based on the hyperbolic Kac-Moody group E10. The quantization of this system via the supersymmetry constraint is shown to lead to wavefunctions involving automorphic (Maass wave) forms under the modular group W^+(E10)=PSL(2,O) with Dirichlet boundary conditions on the billiard domain. A general inequality for the Laplace eigenvalues of these automorphic forms implies that the wave function of the universe is generically complex and always tends to zero when approaching the initial singularity. We discuss possible implications of this result for the question of singularity resolution in quantum cosmology and comment on the differences with other approaches.

gr-qc↗

Finite and infinite-dimensional symmetries of pure N=2 supergravity in D=4

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=4 and a one-parameter sigma-model based on the hyperbolic group SU(2,1)^{++}, as well as from the fact that the structure of BPS brane solutions is neatly encoded in SU(2,1)^{+++}. As a nice by-product of our analysis, we obtain a regular embedding of the Kac-Moody algebra su(2,1)^{+++} in e_{11} based on brane physics.

hep-th↗

On the E10/Massive Type IIA Supergravity Correspondence

In this paper we investigate in detail the correspondence between E10 and Romans' massive deformation of type IIA supergravity. We analyse the dynamics of a non-linear sigma model for a spinning particle on the coset space E10/K(E10) and show that it reproduces the dynamics of the bosonic as well as the fermionic sector of the massive IIA theory, within the standard truncation. The mass deformation parameter corresponds to a generator of E10 outside the realm of the generators entering the usual D=11 analysis, and is naturally included without any deformation of the coset model for E10/K(E10). Our analysis thus provides a dynamical unification of the massless and massive versions of type IIA supergravity inside E10. We discuss a number of additional and general features of relevance in the analysis of any deformed supergravity in the correspondence to Kac-Moody algebras, including recently studied deformations where the trombone symmetry is gauged.

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