Pure spinors in classical and quantum supergravity

TL;DR

This paper reviews the pure spinor superfield formalism in maximal supergravity, discussing its relation to superspace, the superstring model, and implications for divergence properties in quantum gravity.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of pure spinor superfields in supergravity, highlighting their applications and potential for advancing quantum gravity research.

Findings

Pure spinor superfields relate to standard superspace.

Implications for divergence properties in supergravity.

Discussion of the superstring model of Berkovits.

Abstract

This is an overview of the method of pure spinor superfields, written for "Handbook of Quantum Gravity", eds. C. Bambi, L. Modesto and I. Shapiro. The main focus is on the use of the formalism in maximal supergravity on a flat background. The basics of pure spinor superfields, and their relation to standard superspace, is reviewed. The pure spinor superstring model of Berkovits is briefly discussed. Consequences for divergence properties of loop diagrams in maximal supergravity are restated. Some final remarks are made concerning desirable development of the theoretical framework.