Related papers: Quantum Gravity Needs Supersymmetry
We show that N = 8 supergravity may possess an even larger symmetry than previously believed. Such an enhanced symmetry is needed to explain why this theory of gravity exhibits ultraviolet behaviour reminiscent of the finite N = 4…
In this lecture we summarize recent calculations pointing to the possible ultraviolet finiteness of N = 8 supergravity in four dimensions. We outline the modern unitarity method, which enables multiloop calculations in this theory and…
We hereby present a class of multidimensional higher derivative theories of gravity that realizes an ultraviolet completion of Einstein general relativity. This class is marked by a "non-polynomal" entire function (form factor), which…
We hereby introduce and extensively study a class of non-polynomial higher derivative theories of gravity that realize a ultraviolet (UV) completion of Einstein general relativity. These theories are unitary (ghost free) and at most only…
We first present a review, intended for classical relativists, of the ultraviolet difficulties faced by local quantum gravity theories in both the usual Einstein versions and in their supergravity extensions, at least perturbatively. These…
We argue that recent results in string perturbation theory indicate that the four-graviton amplitude of four-dimensional N=8 supergravity might be ultraviolet finite up to eight loops. We similarly argue that the h-loop M-graviton amplitude…
We describe the construction of the complete four-loop four-particle amplitude of N=8 supergravity. The amplitude is ultraviolet finite, not only in four dimensions, but in five dimensions as well. The observed extra cancellations provide…
We review some general and recent results on the characterization and construction of timelike supersymmetric solutions of 4-dimensional supergravity theories.
We review recent progress in gauging maximal supergravity theories
We review the development of understanding for the problem of ultraviolet divergences in supergravity. This history proceeds from initial constructions of counterterms invariant under the relevant degrees of local supersymmetry, through a…
Despite their diversity, many of the most prominent candidate theories of quantum gravity share the property to be effectively lower-dimensional at small scales. In particular, dimension two plays a fundamental role in the finiteness of…
Conventional wisdom holds that no four-dimensional gravity field theory can be ultraviolet finite. This understanding is based mainly on power counting. Recent studies confirm that one-loop N = 8 supergravity amplitudes satisfy the…
We review recent progress in constructing maximal, classical supergravity models and their applications.
There are many theories of quantum gravity, depending on asymptotic boundary conditions, and the amount of supersymmetry. The cosmological constant is one of the fundamental parameters that characterize different theories. If it is…
We review the remarkable interplay between modular symmetries and supergravity, which has led to major advances in both physics and mathematics in recent decades. Our focus will be on four-dimensional models with $\mathcal{N}=1$ and…
We demonstrate that pure N=4 supergravity is ultraviolet divergent at four loops. The form of the divergence suggests that it is due to the rigid U(1) duality-symmetry anomaly of the theory. This is the first known example of an ultraviolet…
The main obstacle in attempts to construct a consistent quantum gravity is the absence of independent flat time. This can in principle be cured by going out to higher dimensions. The modern paradigm assumes that the fundamental theory of…
We look for critical points with U(2) residual symmetry in 5-dimensional maximally supersymmetric gauged supergravity, by varying the embedding tensor, rather than directly minimizing the scalar potential. We recover all previously known…
This contribution gives a panoramic overview of the development of N=8 supergravity and its relation to other maximally supersymmetric theories over the past 40 years. It also provides a personal perspective on the future role of this…
I shall discuss some "conditions of possibility" of a quantum theory of gravity, stressing the need for solutions to some of fundamental problems confronting any attempt to apply some method of quantization to the field equations of general…