Hidden Spacetime Symmetries and Generalized Holonomy in M-theory

TL;DR

This paper explores how generalized holonomy groups in M-theory can explain exotic fractions of unbroken supersymmetry, extending the understanding beyond traditional Riemannian holonomy and consistent with spacetime symmetry theorems.

Contribution

It proposes a generalized holonomy conjecture for M-theory vacua with non-zero 4-form F, identifying new structure groups that account for exotic supersymmetry fractions.

Findings

Generalized holonomy groups include G=SO(d-1,1) x G(spacelike), G=ISO(d-1) x G(null), G=SO(d) x G(timelike).

The conjecture explains supersymmetry fractions not accounted for by traditional holonomy.

Certain vacua are ruled out by the holonomy conjecture despite supersymmetry algebra allowances.

Abstract

In M-theory vacua with vanishing 4-form F, one can invoke the ordinary Riemannian holonomy H \subset SO(1,10) to account for unbroken supersymmetries n=1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 16, 32. However, the generalized holonomy conjecture, valid for non-zero F, can account for more exotic fractions of supersymmetry, in particular 16<n<32. The conjectured holonomies are given by H \subset G where G are the generalized structure groups G=SO(d-1,1) x G(spacelike), G=ISO(d-1) x G(null) and G=SO(d) x G(timelike) with 1<=d<11. For example, G(spacelike)=SO(16), G(null)=[SU(8) x U(1)] \ltimes R^{56} and G(timelike)=SO*(16) when d=3. Although extending spacetime symmetries, there is no conflict with the Coleman-Mandula theorem. The holonomy conjecture rules out certain vacua which are otherwise permitted by the supersymmetry algebra.