The geometry, branes and applications of exceptional field theory

Abstract

This is a review of exceptional field theory: a generalisation of Kaluza–Klein theory that unifies the metric and [Formula: see text]-form gauge field degrees of freedom of supergravity into a generalised or extended geometry, whose additional coordinates may be viewed as conjugate to brane winding modes. This unifies the maximal supergravities, treating their previously hidden exceptional Lie symmetries as a fundamental geometric symmetry. Duality orbits of solutions simplify into single objects, that in many cases have simple geometric interpretations, for instance as wave or monopole-type solutions. It also provides a route to explore exotic or nongeometric aspects of M-theory, such as exotic branes, [Formula: see text]-folds, and more novel sorts of non-Riemannian spaces.