Supergravity

Description

Supergravity, together with string theory, is one of the most significant developments in theoretical physics. Written by two of the most respected workers in the field, this is the first-ever authoritative and systematic account of supergravity. The book starts by reviewing aspects of relativistic field theory in Minkowski spacetime. After introducing the relevant ingredients of differential geometry and gravity, some basic supergravity theories (D=4 and D=11) and the main gauge theory tools are explained. In the second half of the book, complex geometry and N=1 and N=2 supergravity theories are covered. Classical solutions and a chapter on AdS/CFT complete the book. Numerous exercises and examples make it ideal for Ph.D. students, and with applications to model building, cosmology and solutions of supergravity theories, it is also invaluable to researchers. A website hosted by the authors, featuring solutions to some exercises and additional reading material, can be found at www.cambridge.org/supergravity.

Daniel Z. Freedman is Professor of Applied Mathematics and Physics at MIT. He has made many research contributions to supersymmetry and supergravity: he was a co-discoverer of the first supergravity theory in 1976. This discovery has been recognized by the award of the Dirac Medal and Prize in 1993 and the Dannie Heineman Prize of the American Physical Society in 2006. Antoine Van Proeyen is Head of the Theoretical Physics Section at the K.U. Leuven, Belgium. Since 1979, he has been involved in the construction of various supergravity theories, the resulting special geometries and their applications to phenomenology and cosmology.

'Over the last four decades, the theory of supergravity has emerged as a central ingredient in the search for the still-elusive unified theory of nature, and has led to many deep results in mathematical physics. This comprehensive, accessible text, written by the pioneers of the subject, fills a gap in the literature and will play an essential role in our future efforts to understand nature.' Andrew Strominger, Harvard University 'Freedman and Van Proeyen's Supergravity is a much-needed introduction to the union of general relativity with supersymmetry, written by two of the leaders in the field. The presentation is clear, well planned, and thorough. It begins with the necessary background in field theory and geometry, and runs through recent applications to AdS/CFT duality.' Joseph Polchinski, University of California, Santa Barbara 'Finally there is an up-to-date textbook available that introduces supergravity to present and future generations of students. The authors take great care to explain the basic concepts of supersymmetry and supergravity in a pedagogical way, starting from standard notions in field theory and general relativity. Highly recommended.' Bernard de Wit, Utrecht University 'Supergravity is a keystone of modern theoretical physics, connecting Einstein's gravity, superstring theory, and proposed extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics. It is also a subject known for its forbidding technical difficulties. In this book, Freedman and Van Proeyen decode the structure of supergravity. Beginning from lucid explanations of the basic geometrical and gauge symmetries, they show how to build up supergravity theories systematically in four and in higher dimensions.' Michael E. Peskin, Stanford University 'Supergravity by D. Freedman and A. Van Proeyen is the most complete and most concise textbook on the basic mathematical formalism of supergravity, its solutions and applications for the AdS/CFT correspondence on the market. This book will become an indispensable tool for every student and researcher who wants to learn and to work with this beautiful subject.' Dieter Lust, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich and the Max Planck Institute for Physics 'This book is an excellent introduction to the rich and many-faceted topic of supergravity. Students will find it to be thorough and detailed and all around an outstanding book to learn from. More senior researchers will find it to be a very valuable resource.' Edward Witten, The Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton 'Freedman and Van Proeyen have written an excellent book. As may be expected from two of the experts who played a significant role in the development of many of the topics described, the explanation of the material is very clear, including details of derivations and applications of the results.' Douglas J. Smith, Mathematical Reviews