Mon, 09 Mar 2009

12:00 - 13:00
L3

The UV question in maximally supersymmetric field theories

Paul Howe
(King's College London)
Abstract
Recent developments in computational techniques have shown that UV divergences can be tested at higher loop orders than is possible using standard Feynman diagrams. The results of these calculations are summarised. It is argued that they do not, as yet, contradict expectations from symmetry arguments. The latter lead to the expectation that D=4, N=8 supergravity is likely to diverge at five loops unless hitherto unknown mechanisms are at work. In the technical part of the talk the role of algebraic renormalisation and cohomological methods is highlighted.
Wed, 21 Jan 2004
12:00
NAPL

Symmetries of M-theory
(Dennis Sciama Lecture Theatre)

Peter West
(King's College London)
Abstract

After a review of the symmetries of supergravity theories and Kac-Moody

algebras, we explain show that M theory is likely to possess a very large

Kac-Moody symmetry of rank eleven, denoted by E_{11}. We also provide

evidence that even pure gravity and the closed bosonic string possess

analogous Kac-Moody symmetries.

Finally, we explain how the central charges of the maximal supergravity

theories arise naturally in E_{11}.

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