Symmetric Spaces of Exceptional Groups
arXiv:0811.0554
Abstract
We adress the problem of the reasons for the existence of 12 symmetric spaces with the exceptional Lie groups. The 1+2 cases for and respectively are easily explained from the octonionic nature of these groups. The 4+3+2 cases on the series require the magic square of Freudenthal and, for the split case, an appeal to the supergravity chain in and 3 spacetime dimensions.
Presented at the 27th ICGTMP (2008), Yerevan (Armenia)