X-SUGRA · eXceptional Solutions and U-folds in quantum GRAvity

eXceptional Solutions and U-folds in quantum GRAvity

Our understanding of nature at a fundamental level is based on the frameworks of quantum field theory – describing electromagnetism and (sub)nuclear interactions – and of general relativity, describing the gravitational interaction. Such theoretical understanding of nature hides in plain sight in our day-to-day lives, shaping our perception of the universe and having determined countless technological advances in the last century. Unifying these two pillars of fundamental physics in a single coherent framework has proven exceedingly difficult throughout the past and current centuries. String theory is believed to provide a consistent description of gravity at the quantum level and can therefore direct us toward the sought unification of the fundamental interactions. Importantly, the detailed study of string theory models of gravity is dependent on our ability to solve its equations to study its properties. This is often done by studying supergravity models, which approximate string theory under certain assumptions. This project focused on developing of advanced techniques to solve the equations of motion of string and supergravity theories. A peculiar property of (super)string theory is also its intricate web of “U-dualities”, relating apparently different mathematical descriptions of its dynamics. This action also focused on the mathematical and geometrical aspects of the formulation of supergravity theories in a manner that renders such U-dualities manifest. The two broad objectives of this action were: the development of a formal framework called “exceptional field theory” meant to capture supergravity while making manifest certain infinite-dimensional dualities (referred to as “E9”), and greatly expanding our control over solutions of supergravity and string theory by classifying certain large families of geometries with desirable mathematical properties (referred to as generalised Leibniz parallelisable spaces), which play a central role in constructing new classes of solutions. In this action the researcher has developed a systematic understanding of the so-called exceptional generalised geometries that underpin supersymmetric backgrounds in supergravity and produced large classes of new supergravity solutions relevant for holographic, black hole and flux compactification applications. The outcomes of such efforts are published in peer-reviewed, high impact journals and have been disseminated via seminars at relevant research institutions, conferences and seminars throughout and beyond Europe.

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