U Duality, Solvable Lie Algebras and Extremal Black-Holes

Abstract

In this lecture I review recent results on the use of Solvable Lie Algebras as an efficient description of the scalar field sector of supergravities in relation with their non perturbative structure encoded in the U-duality group. I also review recent results on the construction of BPS saturated states as solution of the first differential equations following from imposing preservation of a fraction of the original supersymmetries. In particular I discuss N=2 extremal black holes that are approximated by a Bertotti Robinson metric near their horizon. The extension of this construction to maximally extended supergravities in all dimensions from 4 to 11 is work in progress where the use of the Solvable Lie algebra approach promises to be of decisive usefulness.