Abstract
We review the general theory of duality rotations which, in four dimensions, exchange electric with magnetic fields. Necessary and sufficient conditions in order for a theory to have duality symmetry are established. A nontrivial example is Born-Infeld theory with n Abelian gauge fields and with Sp(2n, ℝ) self-duality. We then review duality symmetry in supergravity theories. In the case of N = 2 supergravity duality rotations are in general not a symmetry of the theory but a key ingredient in order to formulate the theory itself. This is due to the beautiful relation between the geometry of special Kähler manifolds and duality rotations.
Lingua originale | Inglese |
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pagine (da-a) | 625-707 |
Numero di pagine | 83 |
Rivista | La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento |
Volume | 31 |
Numero di pubblicazione | 11 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2008 |