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Sergio Ferrara

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio Ferrara.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2013

Conjecture on Hidden Superconformal Symmetry of N=4 Supergravity

We argue that the observed UV finiteness of the 3-loop extended supergravities may be a manifestation of a hidden local superconformal symmetry of supergravity. We focus on the SU(2,2|4) dimensionless superconformal model. In Poincare gauge where the compensators are fixed to phi^2= 6 M_P^2 this model becomes a pure classical N=4 Einstein supergravity. We argue that in N=4 the higher-derivative superconformal invariants like phi^{-4}W^2 \bar W^2 and the consistent local anomaly delta (ln phi W^2) are not available. This conjecture on hidden local N=4 superconformal symmetry of Poincare supergravity may be supported by subsequent loop computations.

hep-th↗
arXiv2013

Jordan Pairs, E6 and U-Duality in Five Dimensions

By exploiting the Jordan pair structure of U-duality Lie algebras in D = 3 and the relation to the super-Ehlers symmetry in D = 5, we elucidate the massless multiplet structure of the spectrum of a broad class of D = 5 supergravity theories. Both simple and semi-simple, Euclidean rank-3 Jordan algebras are considered. Theories sharing the same bosonic sector but with different supersymmetrizations are also analyzed.

math-ph↗
arXiv2012

Multi-Centered First Order Formalism

We propose a first order formalism for multi-centered black holes with flat tree-dimensional base-space, within the stu model of N=2, D=4 ungauged Maxwell-Einstein supergravity. This provides a unified description of first order flows of this universal sector of all models with a symmetric scalar manifold which can be obtained by dimensional reduction from five dimensions. We develop a D=3 Cartesian formalism which suitably extends the definition of central and matter charges, as well as of black hole effective potential and first order "fake" superpotential, in order to deal with not necessarily axisimmetric solutions, and thus with multi-centered and/or (under-)rotating extremal black holes. We derive general first order flow equations for composite non-BPS and almost BPS classes, and we analyze some of their solutions, retrieving various single-centered (static or under-rotating) and multi-centered known systems. As in the t^3 model, the almost BPS class turns out to split into two general branches, and the well known almost BPS system is shown to be a particular solution of the second branch.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

d-Geometries Revisited

We analyze some properties of the four dimensional supergravity theories which originate from five dimensions upon reduction. They generalize to N>2 extended supersymmetries the d-geometries with cubic prepotentials, familiar from N=2 special Kähler geometry. We emphasize the role of a suitable parametrization of the scalar fields and the corresponding triangular symplectic basis. We also consider applications to the first order flow equations for non-BPS extremal black holes.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Super-Ehlers in Any Dimension

We classify the enhanced helicity symmetry of the Ehlers group to extended supergravity theories in any dimension. The vanishing character of the pseudo-Riemannian cosets occurring in this analysis is explained in terms of Poincaré duality. The latter resides in the nature of regularly embedded quotient subgroups which are non-compact rank preserving.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

On Symmetries of Extremal Black Holes with One and Two Centers

After a brief introduction to the Attractor Mechanism, we review the appearance of groups of type E7 as generalized electric-magnetic duality symmetries in locally supersymmetric theories of gravity, with particular emphasis on the symplectic structure of fluxes in the background of extremal black hole solutions, with one or two centers. In the latter case, the role of an "horizontal" symmetry SL(2,R) is elucidated by presenting a set of two-centered relations governing the structure of two-centered invariant polynomials.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Degeneration of Groups of Type E7 and Minimal Coupling in Supergravity

We study properties of D = 4, N >1 extended supergravities (and related compactifications of superstring theory) and their consistent truncation to the phenomenologically interesting models of N = 1 supergravity. This involves a detailed classification of the "degenerations" of the duality groups of type E7, when the corresponding quartic invariant polynomial built from the symplectic irreducible representation of G4 "degenerates" into a perfect square. With regard to cosmological applications, we conclude that the consistent truncation to N = 1 from higher-dimensional or higher-N theory gives a zero measure minimal coupling of vectors. A non-minimal coupling involving vectors coupled to scalars and axions is generic. These features of supergravity, following from the electric-magnetic duality, may be useful in other applications, like stabilization of moduli, and in studies of non-perturbative black-hole solutions of supergravity/string theory.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Black Holes and Groups of Type E7

We report some results on the relation between extremal black holes in locally supersymmetric theories of gravity and groups of type E7, appearing as generalized electric-magnetic duality symmetries in such theories. Some basics on the covariant approach to the stratification of the relevant symplectic representation are reviewed, along with a connection between special Kaehler geometry and a "generalization" of groups of type E7.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

N=2 Supersymmetry and U(1)-Duality

Understanding the consequences of the E_{7(7)} duality on the UV properties of N=8 supergravity requires unravelling when and how duality-covariant actions can be constructed so as to accommodate duality-invariant counter-terms. For non-supersymmetric abelian gauge theories exhibiting U(1)-duality, with and without derivative couplings, it was shown that such a covariant construction is always possible. In this paper we describe a similar procedure for the construction of covariant non-linear deformations of U(1)-duality invariant theories in the presence of rigid N=2 supersymmetry. This is a concrete step towards studying the interplay of duality and extended supersymmetry.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

On Invariant Structures of Black Hole Charges

We study "minimal degree" complete bases of duality- and "horizontal"- invariant homogeneous polynomials in the flux representation of two-centered black hole solutions in two classes of D=4 Einstein supergravity models with symmetric vector multiplets' scalar manifolds. Both classes exhibit an SL(2,R) "horizontal" symmetry. The first class encompasses N=2 and N=4 matter-coupled theories, with semi-simple U-duality given by SL(2,R) x SO(m,n); the analysis is carried out in the so-called Calabi-Vesentini symplectic frame (exhibiting maximal manifest covariance) and until order six in the fluxes included. The second class, exhibiting a non-trivial "horizontal" stabilizer SO(2), includes N=2 minimally coupled and N=3 matter coupled theories, with U-duality given by the pseudo-unitary group U(r,s) (related to complex flux representations). Finally, we comment on the formulation of special Kaehler geometry in terms of "generalized" groups of type E7.

hep-th↗
arXiv2012

Quantum Gravity Needs Supersymmetry

We report on some old and new results on the quantum aspects of four-dimensional maximal supergravity, and its hypothetical ultraviolet finiteness.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Generalized Mirror Symmetry and Quantum Black Hole Entropy

We find general relations between the on-shell gravitational trace anomaly A_N, and the logarithmic correction Delta S_N to the entropy of "large" BPS extremal black holes in N>1 supergravity theories in D=4 space-time dimensions (recently computed by Sen [arXiv:1108.3842]). For (generalized) self-mirror theories (all having A_N = 0), we obtain the result DeltaS_N = - Delta S_(8-N) = 2 - N/2, whereas for generic theories the trace anomaly tildeA_N of the fully dualized theory turns out to coincide with 2Delta S_N, up to a model-independent shift: tildeA_N = 2Delta S_N - 1. We also speculate on N=1 theories displaying "large" extremal black hole solutions.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Creation of Matter in the Universe and Groups of Type E7

We relate the mechanism of matter creation in the universe after inflation to a simple and universal mathematical property of extended N > 1 supergravities and related compactifications of superstring theory. We show that in all such models, the inflaton field may decay into vector fields due to a nonminimal scalar-vector coupling. This coupling is compulsory for all scalars except N=2 hyperscalars. The proof is based on the fact that all extended supergravities described by symmetric coset spaces G/H have duality groups G of type E7, with exception of U(p,n) models. For N=2 we prove separately that special geometry requires a non-minimal scalar-vector coupling. Upon truncation to N=1 supergravity, extended models generically preserve the non-minimal scalar-vector coupling, with exception of U(p,n) models and hyperscalars. For some string theory/supergravity inflationary models, this coupling provides the only way to complete the process of creation of matter in the early universe.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

4D Localization in Randall-Sundrum 2 Supergravity and in Vasiliev Theories

We discuss the problem of localization of 4D massless states in Randall-Sundrum 2 (one-brane) models. A Randall-Sundrum 2 construction starting from N=8 gauged supergravity in 5D Anti de Sitter space gives rise to an N=4 supergravity-matter system. We explicitly show that only the modes of the N=4 graviton supermultiplet localize on the 4D brane, streamlining and generalizing previous works. We also point out that while charged 1/4 BPS black holes do exist in the 4D theory, they are always produced in sets of total charge zero. This zero-charge configuration uplifts to a 5D metric without naked singularities, thus avoiding the curvature singularity of the 5D uplift of an isolated charged BPS black hole. Finally, we resolve a puzzle with localization of massless high spin fields on a (putative) Randall-Sundrum 2 construction based on Vasiliev's high spin theories. We show that while high spin fields do localize, the gauge symmetry that ensures decoupling of their unphysical polarizations is anomalous. This implies that the high spin fields must acquire a mass.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Freudenthal Duality and Generalized Special Geometry

Freudenthal duality, introduced in L. Borsten, D. Dahanayake, M. J. Duff and W. Rubens, Phys.Rev. D80, 026003 (2009), and defined as an anti-involution on the dyonic charge vector in d = 4 space-time dimensions for those dualities admitting a quartic invariant, is proved to be a symmetry not only of the classical Bekenstein-Hawking entropy but also of the critical points of the black hole potential. Furthermore, Freudenthal duality is extended to any generalized special geometry, thus encompassing all N > 2 supergravities, as well as N = 2 generic special geometry, not necessarily having a coset space structure.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Small Black Hole Constituents and Horizontal Symmetry

By exploiting the role of the horizontal symmetry SL(2,R), we extend the analysis and classification of two-centered extremal black hole charge configurations to the case of "small" single-centered constituents. These latter are seen to decrease the number of independent horizontal-invariant polynomials from four to one, depending on the rank of the charge orbit supporting each of the two centers. Within U-duality groups of type E7, both reducible and irreducible symmetric supergravity models in four space-time dimensions are considered, thus encompassing N = 2 and N = 8 theories.

hep-th↗
arXiv2011

Two-Center Black Holes Duality-Invariants for stu Model and its lower-rank Descendants

We classify 2-center extremal black hole charge configurations through duality-invariant homogeneous polynomials, which are the generalization of the unique invariant quartic polynomial for single-center black holes based on homogeneous symmetric cubic special Kaehler geometries. A crucial role is played by an horizontal SL(p,R) symmetry group, which classifies invariants for p-center black holes. For p = 2, a (spin 2) quintet of quartic invariants emerge. We provide the minimal set of independent invariants for the rank-3 N = 2, d = 4 stu model, and for its lower-rank descendants, namely the rank-2 st^2 and rank-1 t^3 models; these models respectively exhibit seven, six and five independent invariants. We also derive the polynomial relations among these and other duality invariants. In particular, the symplectic product of two charge vectors is not independent from the quartic quintet in the t^3 model, but rather it satisfies a degree-16 relation, corresponding to a quartic equation for the square of the symplectic product itself.

hep-th↗