Critical points of maximal D=8 gauged supergravities

TL;DR

This paper investigates the deformations of maximal eight-dimensional supergravity using the embedding tensor approach, determines the scalar potential, and finds the complete set of critical points, revealing a unique theory with a specific gauge group.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of deformations and critical points in 8D supergravity, identifying a unique theory with a specific gauge group up to symmetry rotations.

Findings

Complete set of critical points of the scalar potential identified

Uniqueness of the theory admitting extrema up to SO(2) x SO(3) rotations

Gauge group of the theory is CSO(2,0,1)

Abstract

We study the general deformations of maximal eight-dimensional supergravity by using the embedding tensor approach. The scalar potential induced by these gaugings is determined. Subsequently, by combining duality covariance arguments and algebraic geometry techniques, we find the complete set of critical points of the scalar potential. Remarkably, up to SO(2) X SO(3) rotations there turns out to be a unique theory admitting extrema. The gauge group of the theory is CSO(2,0,1).