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Core Research Area D: Differential geometry and supersymmetry

Leading Researchers


For many years, there has been a fruitful interplay between supersymmetry, string theory and differential geometry [C]. In this Core Research Area (CRA) we continue to explore the the geometry of deformation spaces of geometrical structures related to the scalar field spaces of supergravity and string theory. Of particular interest are four-dimensional N = 2 supergravities whose scalar field space locally is a product of a special Kähler and a quaternionic Kähler manifold. The special Kähler manifold arising in the low energy effective action of string theories is reasonably well understood, while comparatively little is known about the quaternionic Kähler component as it generically receives perturbative and non-perturbative quantum corrections. It arises in the hypermultiplet sector of N=2 type II and heterotic compactification and thus is related to properties of K3 and/or Calabi-Yau threefolds.

The following projects are current and future topics in the CRA:

Impressum  | last modified 10 Mar 2011