1998/01/27 by Hermann Nicolai · 2 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Ansatz #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Computer science #Cosmology and Gravitation Theories #Geometry #Higher-dimensional supergravity #Homogeneous space #Mathematical physics #Mathematics #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #Perspective (graphical) #Physics #Pure mathematics #Quantization (signal processing) #String theory #Supergravity #Supersymmetry #Symmetry (geometry) #Tangent space #Theoretical physics #Unification #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/bf02702349
16 pages (Latex), contribution to the 31st Ahrenshoop International Symposium on the Theory of Elementary Particles, Buckow, Germany, 2-6 September 1997, and the Discussion Meeting on Black Holes, Bangalore, India, 8-10 December 1997. Changes in section 4, minor corrections in previous sections
arxiv created 1998/01/27 · openalex publication_date 1999/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
This contribution gives a personal view on recent attempts to find a unified framework for non-perturbative string theories, with special emphasis on the hidden symmetries of supergravity and their possible role in this endeavor. A reformulation of d=11 supergravity with enlarged tangent space symmetry SO(1,2) × SO(16) is discussed from this perspective, as well as an ansatz to construct yet further versions with SO(1,1) × SO(16)^∞ and possibly even SO(1,1)+ × ISO(16)^∞ tangent space symmetry. It is suggested that upon ``third quantization'', dimensionally reduced maximal supergravity may have an equally important role to play in this unification as the dimensionally reduced maximally supersymmetric SU(∞) Yang Mills theory.