On covariant quantization of M0-brane. Spinor moving frame, pure spinor formalism and hidden symmetries of D=11 supergravity

TL;DR

This paper explores covariant quantization of the D=11 superparticle using twistor-like Lorentz harmonic formulation, revealing hidden symmetries like SO(16) and potential E8 symmetry, and connecting to pure spinor formalism and supergravity.

Contribution

It provides a covariant quantization framework for the D=11 superparticle that uncovers classical SO(16) symmetry and suggests the existence of E8 symmetry in supergravity.

Findings

SO(16) symmetry appears at the classical level

Quantization yields the supergravity multiplet with 128+128 components

Evidence for possible E8 symmetry in D=11 supergravity

Abstract

The covariant quantization of massless D=11 superparticle (M0-brane) in its twistor-like Lorentz harmonic formulation is used to clarify the origin and some properties of the Berkovits pure spinor approach to quantum superstring and to search for hidden symmetries of D=11 supergravity. In the twistor like Lorentz harmonic formulation, the SO(16) symmetry is seen already at the classical level. The quantization produces the linearized supergravity multiplet as 128+128=256 component Majorana spinor of SO(16) and also shows an indirect argument in favor of the possible E8 symmetry.