General Supergravity Research Articles

Mass formulas for supergravity black holes with string singularities

We extend the derivation of mass formulas for stationary axisymmetric asymptotically locally flat solutions with string singularities on the polar axis to general supergravity actions containing vector and scalar fields. It is based on the rod structure of the solutions in Weyl coordinates and is applicable to black holes with Dirac and Misner strings. The obtained formulas differ from the corresponding ones in Einstein–Maxwell theory only by summation over all independent electric charges.

Supersymmetric Casimir energy on N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 1 conformal supergravity backgrounds

We provide a first principles derivation of the supersymmetric Casimir energy of N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 1 SCFTs in four dimensions using the supercharge algebra on general conformal supergravity backgrounds that admit Killing spinors. The superconformal Ward identities imply that there exists a continuous family of conserved R-currents on supersymmetric backgrounds, as well as a continuous family of conserved currents for each conformal Killing vector. These continuous families interpolate between the consistent and covariant R-current and energy-momentum tensor. The resulting Casimir energy, therefore, depends on two continuous parameters corresponding to the choice of conserved currents used to define the energy and R-charge. This ambiguity is in addition to any possible scheme dependence due to local terms in the effective action. As an application, we evaluate the general expression for the supersymmetric Casimir energy we obtain on a family of backgrounds with the cylinder topology ℝ × S3 and admitting a single Majorana supercharge. Our result is a direct consequence of the supersymmetry algebra, yet it resembles more known expressions for the non-supersymmetric Casimir energy on such backgrounds and differs from the supersymmetric Casimir energy obtained from the zero temperature limit of supersymmetric partition functions. We defer a thorough analysis of the relation between these results to future work.

Double field theory with matter and the generalized Bergshoeff–de Roo identification

The scalar field-perfect fluid (sf-pf) correspondence shows that the energy-momentum tensor of a scalar field is in correspondence with the dynamics of a perfect fluid. In this work we generalize this concept to study the higher-derivative structure of double field theory with statistical matter. Using the generalized Bergshoeff--de Roo identification we find nontrivial higher-derivative corrections for the generalized scalar field Lagrangian. However, these contributions are removed to any desired order using field redefinitions at the supergravity level. By virtue of the generalized sf-pf correspondence we obtain the higher-derivative dynamics for the perfect fluid in the double geometry, which is also trivialized at the supergravity level. These results imply that the well-known ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-corrections obtained by this procedure only correct the effective vacuum Lagrangian, while the sf-pf Lagrangian coupled to the supergravity background remains uncorrected to all orders. Our findings apply for a general (bosonic-heterotic-type II-HSZ) supergravity background.

Primordial black holes and secondary gravitational waves from string inspired general no-scale supergravity

The formation of primordial black hole (PBH) dark matter and the generation of scalar induced secondary gravitational waves (SIGWs) have been studied in the generic no-scale supergravity inflationary models. By adding an exponential term to the K\"ahler potential, the inflaton experiences a period of ultraslow-roll and the amplitude of primordial power spectrum at small scales is enhanced to $\mathcal{O}({10}^{\ensuremath{-}2})$. The enhanced power spectra of primordial curvature perturbations can have both sharp and broad peaks. A wide mass range of PBHs can be produced in our model, and the frequencies of the accompanied SIGWs are ranged form nanohertz to kilohertz. We show four benchmark points where the generated PBH masses are around $\mathcal{O}({10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$, $\mathcal{O}({10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$, $\mathcal{O}({10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$ and $\mathcal{O}({10}^{2}\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$. The PBHs with masses around $\mathcal{O}({10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$ and $\mathcal{O}({10}^{\ensuremath{-}12}\text{ }\text{ }{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$ can make up almost all the dark matter, and the accompanied SIGWs can be probed by the upcoming space-based gravitational wave observatory. Also, the SIGWs accompanied with the formation of stellar mass PBHs can be used to interpret the stochastic GW background in the nanohertz band, detected by the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves, and can be tested by future interferometric gravitational wave observatory.

Supersymmetric solutions of N=(1,1) general massive supergravity

We construct supersymmetric solutions of three dimensional N = (1,1) General Massive Supergravity (GMG). Solutions with a null Killing vector are in general pp-waves. We identify those that appear at critical points of the model some of which do not exist in N = (1,1) New Massive Supergravity (NMG). In the timelike case, we find that many solutions are common with NMG but there is a new class that is genuine to GMG, two members of which are stationary Lifshitz and timelike squashed AdS spacetimes. We also show that in addition to the fully supersymmetric AdS vacuum, there is a second AdS background with a non-zero vector field that preserves 1/4 supersymmetry.

Critical mathcal{N} = (1, 1) general massive supergravity

In this paper we study the supermultiplet structure of mathcal{N} = (1, 1) General Massive Supergravity at non-critical and critical points of its parameter space. To do this, we first linearize the theory around its maximally supersymmetric AdS3 vacuum and obtain the full linearized Lagrangian including fermionic terms. At generic values, linearized modes can be organized as two massless and 2 massive multiplets where supersymmetry relates them in the standard way. At critical points logarithmic modes appear and we find that in three of such points some of the supersymmetry transformations are non-invertible in logarithmic multiplets. However, in the fourth critical point, there is a massive logarithmic multiplet with invertible supersymmetry transformations.

A superstring field theory for supergravity

A covariant closed superstring field theory, equivalent to classical tendimensional Type II supergravity, is presented. The defining conformal field theory is the ambitwistor string worldsheet theory of Mason and Skinner. This theory is known to reproduce the scattering amplitudes of Cachazo, He and Yuan in which the scattering equations play an important role and the string field theory naturally incorporates these results. We investigate the operator formalism description of the ambitwsitor string and propose an action for the string field theory of the bosonic and supersymmetric theories. The correct linearised gauge symmetries and spacetime actions are explicitly reproduced and evidence is given that the action is correct to all orders. The focus is on the NeveuSchwarz sector and the explicit description of tree level perturbation theory about flat spacetime. Application of the string field theory to general supergravity backgrounds and the inclusion of the Ramond sector are briefly discussed.

General No-Scale Supergravity: An [formula omitted]-SU(5) tale

We study the grand unification model flipped SU(5) with additional vector-like particle multiplets, or F-SU(5) for short, in the framework of General No-Scale Supergravity. In our analysis we allow the supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking soft terms to be generically non-zero, thereby extending the phenomenologically viable parameter space beyond the highly constrained one-parameter version of F-SU(5). In this initial inquiry, the mSUGRA/CMSSM SUSY breaking terms are implemented. We find this easing away from the vanishing SUSY breaking terms enables a more broad mass range of vector-like particles, dubbed flippons, including flippons less than 1 TeV that could presently be observed at the LHC2, as well as a lighter gluino mass and SUSY spectrum overall. This presents heightened odds that the General No-Scale F-SU(5) viable parameter space can be probed at the LHC2. The phenomenology comprises both bino and higgsino dark matter, including a Higgs funnel region. Particle states emerging from the SUSY cascade decays are presented to experimentally distinguish amongst the diverse phenomenological regions.

Off-diagonal deformations of Kerr metrics and black ellipsoids in heterotic supergravity

Geometric methods for constructing exact solutions of equations of motion with first order alpha ^{prime } corrections to the heterotic supergravity action implying a nontrivial Yang–Mills sector and six-dimensional, 6-d, almost-Kähler internal spaces are studied. In 10-d spacetimes, general parametrizations for generic off-diagonal metrics, nonlinear and linear connections, and matter sources, when the equations of motion decouple in very general forms are considered. This allows us to construct a variety of exact solutions when the coefficients of fundamental geometric/physical objects depend on all higher-dimensional spacetime coordinates via corresponding classes of generating and integration functions, generalized effective sources and integration constants. Such generalized solutions are determined by generic off-diagonal metrics and nonlinear and/or linear connections; in particular, as configurations which are warped/compactified to lower dimensions and for Levi-Civita connections. The corresponding metrics can have (non-) Killing and/or Lie algebra symmetries and/or describe (1+2)-d and/or (1+3)-d domain wall configurations, with possible warping nearly almost-Kähler manifolds, with gravitational and gauge instantons for nonlinear vacuum configurations and effective polarizations of cosmological and interaction constants encoding string gravity effects. A series of examples of exact solutions describing generic off-diagonal supergravity modifications to black hole/ellipsoid and solitonic configurations are provided and analyzed. We prove that it is possible to reproduce the Kerr and other type black solutions in general relativity (with certain types of string corrections) in the 4-d case and to generalize the solutions to non-vacuum configurations in (super-) gravity/string theories.

Forced fluid dynamics from blackfolds in general supergravity backgrounds

We present a general treatment of the leading order dynamics of the collective modes of charged dilatonic $p$-brane solutions of (super)gravity theories in arbitrary backgrounds. To this end we employ the general strategy of the blackfold approach which is based on a long-wavelength derivative expansion around an exact or approximate solution of the (super)gravity equations of motion. The resulting collective mode equations are formulated as forced hydrodynamic equations on dynamically embedded hypersurfaces. We derive them in full generality (including all possible asymptotic fluxes and dilaton profiles) in a far-zone analysis of the (super)gravity equations and in representative examples in a near-zone analysis. An independent treatment based on the study of external couplings in hydrostatic partition functions is also presented. Special emphasis is given to the forced collective mode equations that arise in type IIA/B and eleven-dimensional supergravities, where besides the standard Lorentz force couplings our analysis reveals additional couplings to the background, including terms that arise from Chern-Simons interactions. We also present a general overview of the blackfold approach and some of the key conceptual issues that arise when applied to arbitrary backgrounds.

Supersymmetric solutions of N = (2, 0) topologically massive supergravity

We first make a Killing spinor analysis for a general three-dimensional off-shell supergravity and find conditions for a bosonic background to preserve at least one real supercharge. We then consider a particular model, namely topologically massive supergravity and impose its field equations. By making a suitable ansatz on metric functions we find a large class of solutions that include spacelike, timelike and null warped AdS3 among others. Isometric quotients of spacelike and timelike squashed AdS3 solutions yield extremal black holes without closed causal curves.

Matter-coupled de Sitter supergravity

De Sitter supergravity describes interaction of supergravity with general chiral and vector multiplets as well as one nilpotent chiral multiplet. The extra universal positive term in the potential due to the nilpotent multiplet, corresponding to the anti-D3 brane in string theory, supports de Sitter vacua in these supergravity models. In the flat space limit these supergravity models include the Volkov-Akulov model with a non-linearly realized supersymmetry. The rules for constructing pure de Sitter supergravity action are generalized here in presence of other matter multiplets. We present a strategy to derive the complete closed form general supergravity action with a given Kahler potential $K$, superpotential $W$ and vector matrix $f_{AB}$ interacting with a nilpotent chiral multiplet. It has the potential $V=e^K(|F^2 |+ |DW|^2 - 3 |W|^2)$, where $F$ is a necessarily non-vanishing value of the auxiliary field of the nilpotent multiplet. De Sitter vacua are present under simple condition that $|F^2|- 3|W|^2>0$. A complete explicit action in the unitary gauge is presented.

The general de Sitter supergravity component action

In this paper we review the appearance and utility of a nilpotent chiral multiplet in the context of supergravity, string theory and cosmology. Coupling a nilpotent chiral superfield to supergravity, one obtains what is called pure dS supergravity, a supergravity theory without scalar degrees of freedom that naturally has de Sitter (dS) solutions, and in which supersymmetry is non‐linearly realized. We extend previous results that couple this dS supergravity to chiral and vector multiplets and derive the most general supergravity action for a single nilpotent chiral multiplet coupled to supergravity and an arbitrary number of chiral and vector multiplets. Based in part on the plenary talk given by T. W. at “The String Theory Universe”, 21st European String Workshop, Leuven, September 7‐11, 2015.

Quaternionic quantization principle in general relativity and supergravity

A generalized quantization principle is considered, which incorporates nontrivial commutation relations of the components of the variables of the quantized theory with the components of the corresponding canonical conjugated momenta referring to other space–time directions. The corresponding commutation relations are formulated by using quaternions. At the beginning, this extended quantization concept is applied to the variables of quantum mechanics. The resulting Dirac equation and the corresponding generalized expression for plane waves are formulated and some consequences for quantum field theory are considered. Later, the quaternionic quantization principle is transferred to canonical quantum gravity. Within quantum geometrodynamics as well as the Ashtekar formalism, the generalized algebraic properties of the operators describing the gravitational observables and the corresponding quantum constraints implied by the generalized representations of these operators are determined. The generalized algebra also induces commutation relations of the several components of the quantized variables with each other. Finally, the quaternionic quantization procedure is also transferred to [Formula: see text] supergravity. Accordingly, the quantization principle has to be generalized to be compatible with Dirac brackets, which appear in canonical quantum supergravity.

De Sitter supergravity model building

We present the explicit de Sitter supergravity action describing the interaction of supergravity with an arbitrary number of chiral and vector multiplets as well as one nilpotent chiral multiplet. The action has a non-Gaussian dependence on the auxiliary field of the nilpotent multiplet, however, it can be integrated out for an arbitrary matter-coupled supergravity. The general supergravity action with a given Kahler potential $K$, superpotential $W$ and vector matrix $f_{AB}$ interacting with a nilpotent chiral multiplet consists of the standard supergravity action defined by $K$, $W$ and $f_{AB}$ where the scalar in the nilpotent multiplet has to be replaced by a bilinear combination of the fermion in the nilpotent multiplet divided by the Gaussian value of the auxiliary field. All additional contributions to the action start with terms quartic and higher order in the fermion of the nilpotent multiplet. These are given by a simple universal closed form expression.

Near horizon structure of extremal vanishing horizon black holes

We study the near horizon structure of Extremal Vanishing Horizon (EVH) black holes, extremal black holes with vanishing horizon area with a vanishing one-cycle on the horizon. We construct the most general near horizon EVH and near-EVH ansatz for the metric and other fields, like dilaton and gauge fields which may be present in the theory. We prove that (1) the near horizon EVH geometry for generic gravity theory in generic dimension has a three dimensional maximally symmetric subspace; (2) if the matter fields of the theory satisfy strong energy condition either this 3d part is AdS3, or the solution is a direct product of a locally 3d flat space and a d−3 dimensional part; (3) these results extend to the near horizon geometry of near-EVH black holes, for which the AdS3 part is replaced with BTZ geometry. We present some specific near horizon EVH geometries in 3, 4 and 5 dimensions for which there is a classification. We also briefly discuss implications of these generic results for generic (gauged) supergravity theories and also for the thermodynamics of near-EVH black holes and the EVH/CFT proposal.

Higher derivative couplings and massive supergravity in three dimensions

We develop geometric superspace settings to construct arbitrary higher derivative couplings (including R^n terms) in three-dimensional supergravity theories with N=1,2,3 by realising them as conformal supergravity coupled to certain compensators. For all known off-shell supergravity formulations, we construct supersymmetric invariants with up to and including four derivatives. As a warming-up exercise, we first give a new and completely geometric derivation of such invariants in N=1 supergravity. Upon reduction to components, they agree with those given in arXiv:0907.4658 and arXiv:1005.3952. We then carry out a similar construction in the case of N=2 supergravity for which there exist two minimal formulations that differ by the choice of compensating multiplet: (i) a chiral scalar multipet; (ii) a vector multiplet. For these formulations all four derivative invariants are constructed in completely general and gauge independent form. For a general supergravity model (in the N=1 and minimal N=2 cases) with curvature-squared and lower order terms, we derive the superfield equations of motion, linearise them about maximally supersymmetric backgrounds and obtain restrictions on the parameters that lead to models for massive supergravity. We use the non-minimal formulation for N = 2 supergravity (which corresponds to a complex linear compensator) to construct a novel consistent theory of massive supergravity. In the case of N = 3 supergravity, we employ the off-shell formulation with a vector multiplet as compensator to construct for the first time various higher derivative invariants. These invariants may be used to derive models for N = 3 massive supergravity. As a bi-product of our analysis, we also present superfield equations for massive higher spin multiplets in (1,0), (1,1) and (2,0) anti-de Sitter superspaces.

The renormalizable three-term polynomial inflation with large tensor-to-scalar ratio

We systematically study the renormalizable three-term polynomial inflation in the supersymmetric and non-supersymmetric models. The supersymmetric inflaton potentials can be realized in supergravity theory, and only have two independent parameters. We show that the general renormalizable supergravity model is equivalent to one kind of our supersymmetric models. We find that the spectral index and tensor-to-scalar ratio can be consistent with the Planck and BICEP2 results, but the running of spectral index is always out of the $2\sigma$ range. If we do not consider the BICEP2 experiment, these inflationary models can be highly consistent with the Planck observations and saturate its upper bound on the tensor-to-scalar ratio ($r \le 0.11$). Thus, our models can be tested at the future Planck and QUBIC experiments.

Perturbative stability along the supersymmetric directions of the landscape

We consider the perturbative stability of non-supersymmetric configurations in \U0001d4a9=1 supergravity models with a spectator sector not involved in supersymmetry breaking. Motivated by the supergravity description of complex structure moduli in Large Volume Compactifications of type IIB-superstrings, we concentrate on models where the interactions are consistent with the supersymmetric truncation of the spectator fields, and we describe their couplings by a random ensemble of generic supergravity theories. We characterise the mass spectrum of the spectator fields in terms of the statistical parameters of the ensemble and the geometry of the scalar manifold. Our results show that the non-generic couplings between the spectator and the supersymmetry breaking sectors can stabilise all the tachyons which typically appear in the spectator sector before including the supersymmetry breaking effects, and we find large regions of the parameter space where the supersymmetric sector remains stable with probability close to one. We discuss these results about the stability of the supersymmetric sector in two physically relevant situations: non-supersymmetric Minkowski vacua, and slow-roll inflation driven by the supersymmetry breaking sector. For the class of models we consider, we have reproduced the regimes in which the KKLT and Large Volume Scenarios stabilise all supersymmetric moduli. We have also identified a new regime in which the supersymmetric sector is stabilised at a very robust type of dS minimum without invoking a large mass hierarchy.

The type II superstring to order θ 4

The Green-Schwarz superstring action in a general type IIA or IIB supergravity background is derived up to fourth order in the Grassmann-odd coordinates θ. This is done by solving the superspace Bianchi identities order by order in θ, to quadratic order for all superfields and to quartic order for the supervielbeins. For a large class of backgrounds it is possible to fix the kappa symmetry in such a way that the action actually terminates at the quartic order in θ.