On the scalar manifold of exceptional supergravity

We construct two parametrizations of the non compact exceptional Lie group G = E , based on a fibration which has the maximal compact subgroup K = (E × U(1))/ Z as a fiber. It is well known that G plays an important role in the N{script} = 2 d = 4 magic exceptional supergravity, where it describes the U-duality of the theory and where the symmetric space M{script} = G/K gives the vector multiplets' scalar manifold. First, by making use of the exponential map, we compute a realization of G/K, that is based on the E invariant d-tensor, and hence exhibits the maximal possible manifest [(E × U(1))/Z ]-covariance. This provides a basis for the corresponding supergravity theory, which is the analogue of the Calabi-Vesentini coordinates. Then we study the Iwasawa decomposition. Its main feature is that it is SO(8)-covariant and therefore it highlights the role of triality. Along the way we analyze the relevant chain of maximal embeddings which leads to SO(8). It is worth noticing that being based on the properties of a "mixed" Freudenthal-Tits magic square, the whole procedure can be generalized to a broader class of groups of type E . © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.