Supergravity, complex parameters and the Janis–Newman algorithm

Abstract

The Demiański–Janis–Newman (DJN) algorithm is an original solution generating technique. For a long time it has been limited to producing rotating solutions, restricted to the case of a metric and real scalar fields, despite the fact that Demiański extended it to include more parameters such as a NUT charge. Recently two independent prescriptions have been given for extending the algorithm to gauge fields and thus electrically charged configurations. In this paper we aim to end setting up the algorithm by providing a missing but important piece, which is how the transformation is applied to complex scalar fields. We illustrate our proposal through several examples taken from N = 2 supergravity, including the stationary BPS solutions from Behrndt et al and Senʼs axion–dilaton rotating black hole. Moreover we discuss solutions that include pairs of complex parameters, such as the mass and the NUT charge, or the electric and magnetic charges, and we explain how to perform the algorithm in this context (with the example of Kerr–Newman–Taub–NUT and dyonic Kerr–Newman black holes). The final formulation of the DJN algorithm can possibly handle solutions with five of the six Plebański–Demiański parameters along with any type of bosonic fields with spin less than two (exemplified with the stationary Israel–Wilson–Perjes solutions). This provides all the necessary tools for applications to general matter-coupled gravity and to (gauged) supergravity.