Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravity

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show that the so-called Maxwell superalgebra in four dimensions, which naturally involves the presence of a nilpotent fermionic generator, can be interpreted as a hidden superalgebra underlying $$\mathcal {N}=1, {\hbox {D}}=4$$ N=1,D=4 supergravity extended t...

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Main Author: Lucrezia Ravera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2018-03-01
Series:European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjc/s10052-018-5673-8
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author Lucrezia Ravera
author_facet Lucrezia Ravera
author_sort Lucrezia Ravera
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The purpose of this paper is to show that the so-called Maxwell superalgebra in four dimensions, which naturally involves the presence of a nilpotent fermionic generator, can be interpreted as a hidden superalgebra underlying $$\mathcal {N}=1, {\hbox {D}}=4$$ N=1,D=4 supergravity extended to include a 2-form gauge potential associated to a 2-index antisymmetric tensor. In this scenario, the theory is appropriately discussed in the context of Free Differential Algebras (an extension of the Maurer–Cartan equations to involve higher-degree differential forms). The study is then extended to the Free Differential Algebra describing $$\hbox {D} = 11$$ D=11 supergravity, showing that, also in this case, there exists a super-Maxwell algebra underlying the theory. The same extra spinors dual to the nilpotent fermionic generators whose presence is crucial for writing a supersymmetric extension of the Maxwell algebras, both in the $$\hbox {D} = 4$$ D=4 and in the $$\hbox {D} = 11$$ D=11 case, turn out to be fundamental ingredients also to reproduce the $$\hbox {D} = 4$$ D=4 and $$\hbox {D} = 11$$ D=11 Free Differential Algebras on ordinary superspace, whose basis is given by the supervielbein. The analysis of the gauge structure of the supersymmetric Free Differential Algebras is carried on taking into account the gauge transformations from the hidden supergroup-manifold associated with the Maxwell superalgebras.
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spelling doaj.art-7ea607e92c03417b850aad42e67cce042022-12-22T02:48:58ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields1434-60441434-60522018-03-0178311210.1140/epjc/s10052-018-5673-8Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravityLucrezia Ravera0INFN, Sezione di MilanoAbstract The purpose of this paper is to show that the so-called Maxwell superalgebra in four dimensions, which naturally involves the presence of a nilpotent fermionic generator, can be interpreted as a hidden superalgebra underlying $$\mathcal {N}=1, {\hbox {D}}=4$$ N=1,D=4 supergravity extended to include a 2-form gauge potential associated to a 2-index antisymmetric tensor. In this scenario, the theory is appropriately discussed in the context of Free Differential Algebras (an extension of the Maurer–Cartan equations to involve higher-degree differential forms). The study is then extended to the Free Differential Algebra describing $$\hbox {D} = 11$$ D=11 supergravity, showing that, also in this case, there exists a super-Maxwell algebra underlying the theory. The same extra spinors dual to the nilpotent fermionic generators whose presence is crucial for writing a supersymmetric extension of the Maxwell algebras, both in the $$\hbox {D} = 4$$ D=4 and in the $$\hbox {D} = 11$$ D=11 case, turn out to be fundamental ingredients also to reproduce the $$\hbox {D} = 4$$ D=4 and $$\hbox {D} = 11$$ D=11 Free Differential Algebras on ordinary superspace, whose basis is given by the supervielbein. The analysis of the gauge structure of the supersymmetric Free Differential Algebras is carried on taking into account the gauge transformations from the hidden supergroup-manifold associated with the Maxwell superalgebras.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjc/s10052-018-5673-8
spellingShingle Lucrezia Ravera
Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravity
European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields
title Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravity
title_full Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravity
title_fullStr Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravity
title_full_unstemmed Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravity
title_short Hidden role of Maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of D = 4 and D = 11 supergravity
title_sort hidden role of maxwell superalgebras in the free differential algebras of d 4 and d 11 supergravity
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjc/s10052-018-5673-8
work_keys_str_mv AT lucreziaravera hiddenroleofmaxwellsuperalgebrasinthefreedifferentialalgebrasofd4andd11supergravity