Published June 1, 1998 | Version v1
Journal article

Spectrum-generating symmetries for BPS solitons

  • 1. Ecole Normale Superieure, 75 - Paris (France). Lab. de Physique Theorique
  • 2. Center for Theoretical Physics, Texas A and M University, College Station, TX 77843 (United States)
  • 3. SISSA, Via Beirut No. 2-4, 34013 Trieste (Italy)
  • 4. The Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BZ (United Kingdom)

Description

We show that there exist non-linearly realised duality symmetries that are independent of the standard supergravity global symmetries, and which provide active spectrum-generating symmetries for the fundamental BPS solitons. The additional ingredient, in any space-time dimension, is a single scaling transformation that allows one to map between BPS solitons with different masses. Without the inclusion of this additional transformation, which is a symmetry of the classical equations of motion, but not the action, it is not possible to find a spectrum-generating symmetry. The necessity of including this scaling transformation highlights the vulnerability of duality multiplets to quantum anomalies. We argue that fundamental BPS solitons may be immune to this threat. (orig.)

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Nuclear Physics. B
Journal Volume
520
Journal Issue
1-2
Journal Page Range
p. 132-156
ISSN
0550-3213
CODEN
NUPBBO

Optional Information

Notes
35 refs.