Hidden Symmetries of M Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores the hidden symmetries in M theory and type IIB string theory by analyzing worldvolume actions and canonical transformations, revealing underlying target space symmetries including general coordinate and gauge transformations.

Contribution

It introduces a set of generators for canonical transformations that explicitly demonstrate target space symmetries in M theory and type IIB string theory.

Findings

Identifies target space symmetries via canonical transformations.

Derives manifestly S-duality-invariant worldsheet action for type IIB string.

Shows the connection between worldvolume symmetries and target space gauge transformations.

Abstract

A worldvolume action for membrane is considered to study the target space local symmetries. We introduce a set of generators of canonical transformations to exhibit the target space symmetries such as the general coordinate transformation and the gauge transformation of antisymmetric tensor field. Similar results are derived for type IIB string with manifestly S-duality-invariant worldsheet action.