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Octonions and M-theory

Luis J. Boya

hep-tharXiv:hep-th/0301037

Abstract

We explain how structures related to octonions are ubiquitous in M-theory. All the exceptional Lie groups, and the projective Cayley line and plane appear in M-theory. Exceptional G2-holonomy manifolds show up as compactifying spaces, and are related to the M2 Brane and 3-form. We review this evidence, which comes from the initial 11-dim structures. Relations between these objects are stressed, when extant and understood. We argue for the necessity of a better understanding of the role of the octonions themselves (in particular non-associativity) in M-theory.

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