Introduction

Summary

This graduate textbook covers the basic formalism of supergravity, as well as its modern applications, suitable for a focused first course. Assuming a working knowledge of quantum field theory, Part I gives basic formalism, including on- and off-shell supergravity, the covariant formulation, superspace and coset formulations, coupling to matter, higher dimensions, and extended supersymmetry. A wide range of modern applications are introduced in Part II, including string theoretical (T- and U-duality, anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory (Ads/CFT), susy and sugra on the worldsheet, and superembeddings), gravitational (p-brane solutions and their susy, attractor mechanism, and Witten’s positive energy theorem), and phenomenological (inflation in supergravity, supergravity no-go theorems, string theory constructions at low energies, and minimal supergravity and its susy breaking). The broader emphasis on applications than competing texts gives Ph.D. students the tools they need to do research that uses supergravity and benefits researchers already working in areas related to supergravity.