Minimal D=4 supergravity from the superMaxwell algebra

We show that the first-order D=4, N=1 pure supergravity lagrangian four-form can be obtained geometrically as a quadratic expression in the curvatures of the Maxwell superalgebra. This is achieved by noticing that the relative coefficient between the two terms of the Lagrangian that makes the action locally supersymmetric also determines trivial field equations for the gauge fields associated with the extra generators of the Maxwell superalgebra. Along the way, a convenient geometric procedure to check the local supersymmetry of a class of lagrangians is developed.Comment: Plain latex, 14 pages. Two misprints corrected, one reference adde

Superalgebra cohomology, the geometry of extended superspaces and superbranes

We present here a cohomological analysis of the new spacetime superalgebras that arise in the context of superbrane theory. They lead to enlarged superspaces that allow us to write D-brane actions in terms of fields associated with the additional superspace variables. This suggests that there is an extended superspace/worldvolume fields democracy for superbranes.Comment: 12 pages, LATEX. Invited lecture delivered at the XXXVII Karpacz Winter School on "New Developments in Fundamental Interaction Theories" (6-15 February, 2001, Karpacz, Poland). To be published in the Proceeding

One-dimensional solitary waves in singular deformations of SO(2) invariant two-component scalar field theory models

In this paper we study the structure of the manifold of solitary waves in some deformations of SO(2) symmetric two-component scalar field theoretical models in two-dimensional Minkowski space. The deformation is chosen in order to make the analogous mechanical system Hamilton-Jacobi separable in polar coordinates and displays a singularity at the origin of the internal plane. The existence of the singularity confers interesting and intriguing properties to the solitary waves or kink solutions.Comment: 25 pages, 18 figure

Contractions from osp(1∣32)⊕osp(1∣32)osp(1|32) \oplus osp(1|32) to the M-theory superalgebra extended by additional fermionic generators

We study here the generalized Weimar-Woods contractions of the superalgebra $osp(1|32) \oplus osp(1|32)$ in order to obtain a suitable algebra that could describe the gauge group of $D=11$ supergravity. The contracted superalgebras are assumed to be given in terms of fermionic extensions of the M-theory superalgebra. We show that the only superalgebra of this type obtained by contraction is the only one for which the three-form of $D=11$ supergravity cannot be trivialized. Therefore, $D=11$ supergravity cannot be connected in this way with a contraction of $osp(1|32) \oplus osp(1|32)$

Bosonic D=11 supergravity from a generalized Chern-Simons action

It is shown that the action of the bosonic sector of D=11 supergravity may be obtained by means of a suitable scaling of the originally dimensionless fields of a generalized Chern-Simons action. This follows from the eleven-form CS-potential of the most general linear combination of closed, gauge invariant twelve-forms involving the sp(32)-valued two-form curvatures supplemented by a three-form field. In this construction, the role of the skewsymmetric four-index auxiliary function needed for the first order formulation of $D=11$ supergravity is played by the gauge field associated with the five Lorentz indices generator of the bosonic sp(32) subalgebra of osp(1|32).Comment: Misprints corrected, to appear in NPB plain latex, no figures, 25 page

Generalizations of Maxwell (super)algebras by the expansion method

The Lie algebras expansion method is used to show that the Maxwell (super)algebras and some of their generalizations can be derived in a simple way as particular expansions of o(3,2) and osp(N|4).Comment: Discussion slightly expanded; published versio

On the semiclassical mass of S2{\mathbb S}^2-kinks

One-loop mass shifts to the classical masses of stable kinks arising in a massive non-linear ${\mathbb S}^2$-sigma model are computed. Ultraviolet divergences are controlled using the heat kernel/zeta function regularization method. A comparison between the results achieved from exact and high-temperature asymptotic heat traces is analyzed in depth.Comment: RevTex file, 15 pages, 2 figures. Version to appear in Journal of Physics

Two-twistor particle models and free massive higher spin fields

We present D=3 and D=4 models for massive particles moving in a new type of enlarged spacetime, with D-1 additional vector coordinates, which after quantization lead to the towers of massive higher spin (HS) free fields. Two classically equivalent formulations are presented: one with a hybrid spacetime/bispinor geometry and a second described by a free two-twistor dynamics with constraints. After quantization in the D=3 and D=4 cases, the wave functions are given as functions on the SL(2,R) and SL(2,C) group manifolds respectively, and describe arbitrary on-shell momenta and spin degrees of freedom. Finally, the D=6 case and possible supersymmetric extensions are mentioned.Comment: 37 pages, plain latex, v2. Text in Secs. 1 nd 4 enlarged, references added. Version to appear in JHE

The Kink variety in systems of two coupled scalar fields in two space-time dimensions

In this paper we describe the moduli space of kinks in a class of systems of two coupled real scalar fields in (1+1) Minkowskian space-time. The main feature of the class is the spontaneous breaking of a discrete symmetry of (real) Ginzburg-Landau type that guarantees the existence of kink topological defects.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures. To appear in Phys. Rev.