Noncommutative Riemann Surfaces

We compactify M(atrix) theory on Riemann surfaces Sigma with genus g>1. Following [1], we construct a projective unitary representation of pi_1(Sigma) realized on L^2(H), with H the upper half-plane. As a first step we introduce a suitably gauged sl_2(R) algebra. Then a uniquely determined gauge connection provides the central extension which is a 2-cocycle of the 2nd Hochschild cohomology group. Our construction is the double-scaling limit N\to\infty, k\to-\infty of the representation considered in the Narasimhan-Seshadri theorem, which represents the higher-genus analog of 't Hooft's clock and shift matrices of QCD. The concept of a noncommutative Riemann surface Sigma_\theta is introduced as a certain C^\star-algebra. Finally we investigate the Morita equivalence.Comment: LaTeX, 1+14 pages. Contribution to the TMR meeting ``Quantum aspects of gauge theories, supersymmetry and unification'', Paris 1-7 September 199

An action for the (2,0) self-dual tensor multiplet in a conformal supergravity background

We present the action for a self-dual tensor in six dimensions, coupled to a (2,0) conformal supergravity background. This action gives rise to the expected equations of motion. An alternative look upon one of the gauge symmetries clarifies its role in the supersymmetry transformation rules and the realisation of the algebra.Comment: 14 pages, accepted by Class. Quant. Gra

Symplectic structure free Chern-Simons Theory

The second class constraints algebra of the abelian Chern-Simons theory is rigorously studied in terms of the Hamiltonian embedding in order to obtain the first class constraint system. The symplectic structure of fields due to the second class constraints disappears in the resulting system. Then we obtain a new type of Chern-Simons action which has an infinite set of the irreducible first class constraints and exhibits new extended local gauge symmetries implemented by these first class constraints.Comment: 12 pages, LaTex, no figure

Black Holes in Supergravity and String Theory

We give an elementary introduction to black holes in supergravity and string theory. The focus is on BPS solutions in four- and higher-dimensional supergravity and string theory. Basic ideas and techniques are explained in detail, including exercises with solutions.Comment: 64 pages, based on lectures given at the school of the TMR network 'Quantum aspects of gauge theories, supersymmetry and unification' in Torino, January 26 - February 2, 2000. To be published in Class. Quant. Grav. (Some typos corrected, two references added.

Twenty Years of the Weyl Anomaly

In 1973 two Salam prot\'{e}g\'{e}s (Derek Capper and the author) discovered that the conformal invariance under Weyl rescalings of the metric tensor $g_{\mu\nu}(x)\rightarrow\Omega^2(x)g_{\mu\nu}(x)$ displayed by classical massless field systems in interaction with gravity no longer survives in the quantum theory. Since then these Weyl anomalies have found a variety of applications in black hole physics, cosmology, string theory and statistical mechanics. We give a nostalgic review. (Talk given at the {\it Salamfest}, ICTP, Trieste, March 1993.)Comment: 43 page

Manifest Duality in Born-Infeld Theory

Born-Infeld theory is formulated using an infinite set of gauge fields, along the lines of McClain, Wu and Yu. In this formulation electromagnetic duality is generated by a fully local functional. The resulting consistency problems are analyzed and the formulation is shown to be consistent.Comment: 15 pages, Late

Symmetries and degrees of freedom in 2-dimensional dual models

The 2-dimensional version of the Schwarz and Sen duality model (Tseytlin model) is analyzed at the classical and quantum levels. The solutions are obtained after removing the gauge dependent sector using the Dirac method. The Poincar\`e invariance is verified at both levels. An extension with global supersymmetry is also proposed.Comment: 3 pages, revtex, minor correction

Batalin-Vilkovisky gauge-fixing of a chiral two-form in six dimensions

We perform the gauge-fixing of the theory of a chiral two-form boson in six dimensions starting from the action given by Pasti, Sorokin and Tonin. We use the Batalin-Vilkovisky formalism, introducing antifields and writing down an extended action satisfying the classical master equation. Then we gauge-fix the three local symmetries of the extended action in two different ways.Comment: 15 pages, latex, no figures, version accepted by Class. Quant. Gra