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Sergio Ferrara

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio Ferrara.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
arXiv1998

``Non chiral'' primary superfields in the AdS_{d+1}/CFT_d correspondence

We consider some long multiplets describing bulk massive excitations of M-theory two-branes and IIB string three-branes which correspond to ``non chiral'' primary operators of the boundary OSp(8/4) and SU(2,2/4) superconformal field theories. Examples of such multiplets are the ``radial'' modes on the branes, including up to spin 4 excitations, which may be then considered as prototypes of states which are not described by the K-K spectrum of the corresponding supergravity theories on AdS_4 x S_7 and AdS_5 x S_5 respectively.

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arXiv1998

K-K excitations on AdS_5 x S^5 as N=4 ``primary'' superfields

We show that the K-K spectrum of IIB string on AdS_5 x S_5 is described by ``twisted chiral'' N=4 superfields, naturally described in ``harmonic superspace'', obtained by taking suitable gauge singlets polynomials of the D3-brane boundary SU(n) superconformal field theory. To each p-order polynomial is associated a massive K-K short representation with 256 x 1/12 p^2(p^2 -1) states. The p=2 quadratic polynomial corresponds to the ``supercurrent multiplet'' describing the ``massless'' bulk graviton multiplet.

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arXiv1998

On N=8 Supergravity on $AdS_5$ and N=4 Superconformal Yang-Mills theory

We discuss the spectrum of states of IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times S^5$ in a manifest $SU(2,2/4)$ invariant setting. The boundary fields are described in terms of N=4 superconformal Yang-Mills theory and the proposed correspondence between supergravity in $AdS_5$ and superconformal invariant singleton theory at the boundary is formulated in an N=4 superfield covariant language.

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arXiv1997

N=(4,2) Chiral Supergravity in Six Dimensions and Solvable Lie Algebras

Decomposition of the solvable Lie algebras of maximal supergravities in D=4, 5 and 6 indicates, at least at the geometrical level, the existence of an N=(4,2) chiral supergravity theory in D=6 dimensions. This theory, with 24 supercharges, reduces to the known N=6 supergravity after a toroidal compactification to D=5 and D=4. Evidence for this theory was given long ago by B. Julia. We show that this theory suffers from a gravitational anomaly equal to 4/7 of the pure N=(4,0) supergravity anomaly. However, unlike the latter, the absence of N=(4,2) matter to cancel the anomaly presumably makes this theory inconsistent. We discuss the obstruction in defining this theory in D=6, starting from an N=6 five-dimensional string model in the decompactification limit. The set of massless states necessary for the anomaly cancellation appears in this limit; as a result the N=(4,2) supergravity in D=6 is extended to N=(4,4) maximal supergravity theory.

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arXiv1997

Orbits of Exceptional Groups, Duality and BPS States in String Theory

We give an invariant classification of orbits of the fundamental representations of exceptional groups $E_{7(7)}$ and $E_{6(6)}$ which classify BPS states in string and M theories toroidally compactified to d=4 and d=5. The exceptional Jordan algebra and the exceptional Freudenthal triple system and their cubic and quartic invariants play a major role in this classification. The cubic and quartic invariants correspond to the black hole entropy in d=5 and d=4, respectively. The classification of BPS states preserving different numbers of supersymmetries is in close parallel to the classification of the little groups and the orbits of timelike, lightlike and space-like vectors in Minkowski space. The orbits of BPS black holes in N=2 Maxwell-Einstein supergravity theories in d=4 and d=5 with symmetric space geometries are also classified including the exceptional N=2 theory that has $E_{7(-25)}$ and $E_{6(-26)}$ as its symmety in the respective dimensions.

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arXiv1997

Duality, Strings and Supergravity: a Status Report

We will report on recent advances in the understanding of non-perturbative interconnections between different string dualities. Weak-strong coupling duality (S-duality) and T-duality (symmetry under compactification on dual tori) allows one to compare and explore the strong coupling regime of seemingly unrelated theories. These theories naturally merge in a quantum version of supergravity called M-theory. The dynamical role of `branes' of different nature and the new dynamical tool of (M)atrix formulation of M-theory will be briefly mentioned.

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arXiv1997

Branes, central charges and U-duality invariant BPS conditions

In extended supergravity theories there are $p$-brane solutions preserving different numbers of supersymmetries, depending on the charges, the spacetime dimension and the number of original supersymmetries (8, 16 or 32). We find U-duality invariant conditions on the quantized charges which specify the number of supersymmetries preserved with a particular charge configuration. These conditions relate U-duality invariants to the picture of intersecting branes. The analysis is carried out for all extended supergravities with 16 or 32 supersymmetries in various dimensions.

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arXiv1997

Black Holes and Critical Points in Moduli Space

We study the stabilization of scalars near a supersymmetric black hole horizon using the equation of motion of a particle moving in a potential and background metric. When the relevant 4-dimensional theory is described by special geometry, the generic properties of the critical points of this potential can be studied. We find that the extremal value of the central charge provides the minimal value of the BPS mass and of the potential under the condition that the moduli space metric is positive at the critical point. We relate these ideas to the Weinhold and Ruppeiner metrics introduced in the geometric approach to thermodynamics and used for study of critical phenomena.

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arXiv1997

Bertotti-Robinson Geometry and Supersymmetry

The role of Bertotti-Robinson geometry in the attractor mechanism of extremal black holes is described for the case of N = 2 supersymmetry. Its implication for a model-independent derivation of the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy formula is discussed.

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arXiv1996

Enhancement of Supersymmetry Near 5d Black Hole Horizon

Geometric Killing spinors which exist on AdS_{p+2} X S^{d-p-2} sometimes may be identified with supersymmetric Killing spinors. This explains the enhancement of unbroken supersymmetry near the p-brane horizon in d dimensions. The corresponding p-brane interpolates between two maximally supersymmetric vacua, at infinity and at the horizon. New case is studied here: p=0, d=5. The details of supersymmetric version of the very special geometry are presented. We find the area-entropy formula of the supersymmetric 5d black holes via the volume of S^3 which depends on charges and intersection matrix.

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arXiv1996

Twelve-Dimensional Aspects of Four-Dimensional N=1 Type I Vacua

Four-dimensional supergravity theories are reinterpreted in a 12-dimensional F-theory framework. The O(8) symmetry of N=8 supergravity is related to a reduction of F-theory on T_8, with the seventy scalars formally associated, by O(8) triality, to a fully compactified four-form A_4. For the N=1 type I model recently obtained from the type IIB string on the Z orbifold, we identify the Kähler manifold of the untwisted scalars in the unoriented closed sector with the generalized Siegel upper-half plane Sp(8,R)/(SU(4) \times U(1)). The SU(4) factor reflects the holonomy group of Calabi-Yau fourfolds.

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arXiv1996

Low-Energy Analysis of $M$ and $F$ Theories on Calabi-Yau Threefolds

We elucidate the interplay between gauge and supersymmetry anomalies in six-dimensional $N=1$ supergravity with generalized couplings between tensor and vector multiplets. We derive the structure of the five-dimensional supergravity resulting from the $S_1$ reduction of these models and give the constraints on Chern-Simons couplings that follow from duality to $M$ theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold. The duality is supported only on a restricted class of Calabi-Yau threefolds and requires a special type of intersection form. We derive five-dimensional central-charge formulas and discuss briefly the associated phase transitions. Finally, we exhibit connections with $F$-theory compactifications on Calabi-Yau manifolds that admit elliptic fibrations. This analysis suggests that $F$ theory unifies Type-$IIb$ three-branes and $M$-theory five-branes.

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arXiv1996

Supersymmetry and Attractors

We find a general principle which allows one to compute the area of the horizon of N=2 extremal black holes as an extremum of the central charge. One considers the ADM mass equal to the central charge as a function of electric and magnetic charges and moduli and extremizes this function in the moduli space (a minimum corresponds to a fixed point of attraction). The extremal value of the square of the central charge provides the area of the horizon, which depends only on electric and magnetic charges. The doubling of unbroken supersymmetry at the fixed point of attraction for N=2 black holes near the horizon is derived via conformal flatness of the Bertotti-Robinson-type geometry. These results provide an explicit model independent expression for the macroscopic Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of N=2 black holes which is manifestly duality invariant. The presence of hypermultiplets in the solution does not affect the area formula. Various examples of the general formula are displayed. We outline the attractor mechanism in N=4,8 supersymmetries and the relation to the N=2 case. The entropy-area formula in five dimensions, recently discussed in the literature, is also seen to be obtained by extremizing the 5d central charge.

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arXiv1996

Universality of Sypersymmetric Attractors

The macroscopic entropy-area formula for supersymmetric black holes in N=2,4,8 theories is found to be universal: in d=4 it is always given by the square of the largest of the central charges extremized in the moduli space. The proof of universality is based on the fact that the doubling of unbroken supersymmetry near the black hole horizon requires that all central charges other than Z=M vanish at the attractor point for N=4,8. The ADM mass at the extremum can be computed in terms of duality symmetric quartic invariants which are moduli independent. The extension of these results for d=5, N=1,2,4 is also reported. A duality symmetric expression for the energy of the ground state with spontaneous breaking of supersymmetry is provided by the power 1/2 (2/3) of the black hole area of the horizon in d=4 (d=5). It is suggested that the universal duality symmetric formula for the energy of the ground state in supersymmetric gravity is given by the modulus of the maximal central charge at the attractor point in any supersymmetric theory in any dimension.

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arXiv1996

M-Theory on a Calabi-Yau Manifold

We compactify $M$-theory on a Calabi-Yau manifold to five dimensions by wrapping the membrane and fivebrane solitons of the eleven-dimensional supergravity limit around Calabi-Yau two-cycles and four-cycles respectively. We identify the perturbative and non-perturbative BPS states thus obtained with those of heterotic string theory compactified on $K3\times S^1$. Quantum aspects of the five-dimensional theory are discussed.

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arXiv1996

N=2 Extremal Black Holes

It is shown that extremal magnetic black hole solutions of N = 2 supergravity coupled to vector multiplets $X^Λ$ with a generic holomorphic prepotential $F(X^Λ)$ can be described as supersymmetric solitons which interpolate between maximally symmetric limiting solutions at spatial infinity and the horizon. A simple exact solution is found for the special case that the ratios of the $X^Λ$ are real, and it is seen that the logarithm of the conformal factor of the spatial metric equals the Kahler potential on the vector multiplet moduli space. Several examples are discussed in detail.

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arXiv1995

Supersymmetry and Dual String Solitons

We present new classes of string-like soliton solutions in ($N=1$; $D=10$), ($N=2$; $D=6$) and ($N=4$; $D=4$) heterotic string theory. Connections are made between the solution-generating subgroup of the $T$-duality group of the compactification and the number of spacetime supersymmetries broken. Analogous solutions are also noted in ($N=1,2$; $D=4$) compactifications, where a different form of supersymmetry breaking arises.

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