# nLab division algebra and supersymmetry

Contents

supersymmetry

## Applications

#### Lie theory

Background

Smooth structure

Higher groupoids

Lie theory

∞-Lie groupoids

∞-Lie algebroids

Formal Lie groupoids

Cohomology

Homotopy

Related topics

Examples

$\infty$-Lie groupoids

$\infty$-Lie groups

$\infty$-Lie algebroids

$\infty$-Lie algebras

# Contents

## Idea

There is a close relationship between

This is based on the fact that in certain dimensions, spin group representations are naturally identified with a $\mathbb{K}^n$, for $\mathbb{K}$ one of the normed division algebras, see at spin group The exceptional isomorphisms.

For detailed exposition see

exceptional spinors and real normed division algebras

Lorentzian
spacetime
dimension
$\phantom{AA}$spin groupnormed division algebra$\,\,$ brane scan entry
$3 = 2+1$$Spin(2,1) \simeq SL(2,\mathbb{R})$$\phantom{A}$ $\mathbb{R}$ the real numberssuper 1-brane in 3d
$4 = 3+1$$Spin(3,1) \simeq SL(2, \mathbb{C})$$\phantom{A}$ $\mathbb{C}$ the complex numberssuper 2-brane in 4d
$6 = 5+1$$Spin(5,1) \simeq$ SL(2,H)$\phantom{A}$ $\mathbb{H}$ the quaternionslittle string
$10 = 9+1$Spin(9,1) ${\simeq}$SL(2,O)$\phantom{A}$ $\mathbb{O}$ the octonionsheterotic/type II string

The structure of the normed division algebras also governs the existence of the brane scan and the super-∞-Lie algebras such as the supergravity Lie 3-algebra. By the D'Auria-Fre formulation of supergravity the ∞-Lie algebra valued forms with values in these constitute the field content of (11-dimensional) supergravity.

Combining this, one finds that supergravity coupled to super Yang-Mills theory (super Einstein-Yang-Mills theories) are parameterized by triples of real normed division algebras, forming a “magic pyramid”.

## References

The relation between supersymmetry and division algebras was gradually established by a variety of authors, including

Corresponding discussion of twistor space:

Streamlined proof and exposition is in

The case of 2-component quaternionic spinors in 6d (see at SL(2,H)) is discussed in more detail in:

Discussion with an emphasis on super Yang-Mills theory and U-duality in supergravity and the Freudenthal magic square is in

The relationship in string theory via octonion algebra between the NRS spinning string and the Green-Schwarz superstring sigma-models is discussed in

• Rafael I. Nepomechie, Nonabelian bosonization, triality, and superstring theory Physics Letters B Volume 178, Issues 2-3, 2 October 1986, Pages 207-210

• Itzhak Bars, D. Nemschansky and S. Yankielowicz, SLACPub-3758.

• H. Tachibana, K. Imeda, Octonions, superstrings and ten-dimensional spinors , Il nuovo cimento, Vol 104 B N.1

The relation of the division algebras to ordinary (Lie algebraic) extensions of the super Poincare Lie algebra is discussed in

• Jerzy Lukierski, Francesco Toppan, Generalized Space-time Supersymmetries, Division Algebras and Octonionic M-theory (arXiv:hep-th/0203149, pdf)

• A. Anastasiou, L. Borsten, Mike Duff, L. J. Hughes, S. Nagy, An octonionic formulation of the M-theory algebra (arXiv:1402.4649)

Normed division algebras are used to describe the construction of Lie 2-algebra extensions of the super Poincare Lie algebra in

This is made use of in the homotopy theoretic description of M-theory in:

Last revised on July 23, 2022 at 17:50:11. See the history of this page for a list of all contributions to it.