Hyper-Kähler manifolds and multiply intersecting branes

Generalized membrane solutions of D = 11 supergravity, for which the transverse space is a toric hyper-Kahler manifold, are shown to have IIB duals representing the intersection of parallel 3-branes with 5-branes whose orientations are determined by their charge vectors. These IIB solutions, which generically preserve 3/16 of the supersymmetry, can be further mapped to solutions of D = 11 supergravity representing the intersection of parallel membranes with any number of fivebranes at arbitrary angles. Alternatively, a subclass (corresponding to non-singular D = 11 solutions) can be mapped to solutions representing the intersection on a string of any number of D-5-branes at arbitrary angles, again preserving 3/16 supersymmetry, as we verify in a special case by a quaternionic extension of the analysis of Berkooz, Douglas and Leigh. We also use similar methods to find new 1/8 supersymmetric solutions of orthogonally intersecting branes.     

World-volume action for fractional branes

We study the world-volume action of fractional Dp-branes of type IIA string theory compactified on the orbifold T⁴/Z₂. The geometric relation between these branes and wrapped branes is investigated using conformal techniques. In particular we examine in detail various scattering amplitudes and find that the leading low-energy interactions are consistent with the boundary action derived geometrically.     

D-branes inpp-wave background

We show the existence of classical solutions ofD-branes as well as a system ofD3-branes oriented at an arbitrary angle with respect to each other, in a six-dimensionalpp-wave background obtained fromAdS ₃ × S³ ×R ⁴ , withR — R andNS — NS 3-from flux. The world volume coordinate of D5-brane lies along the six-dimensional pp-wave directions, whereas thepp-wave direction is transverse to the system of D3-branes. We also present moreD-brane bound state solutions by applyingT-duality symmetries. The system ofD3-branes oriented at an arbitrary angle is shown to preserve 1/16 supersymmetries. Finally a brief discussion of the open string construction is presented for both the cases.     

F-theory,T-duality on K3 surfaces,and N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories in four dimensions

We construct T-duality on K3 surfaces. The T-duality exchanges a 4-brane RR charge and a 0-brane RR charge. We study the action of the T-duality on the moduli space of 0-branes located at points of K3 and 4-branes wrapping it. We apply the construction to F-theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau 4-fold and study the duality of N = 2 SU(N_c) gauge theories in four dimensions. We discuss the generalization to the N = 1 duality scenario.     

Stainless super p-branes

The elementary and solitonic supersymmetric p-brane solutions to supergravity theories form families related by dimensional reduction, each headed by a maximal (‘stainless’) member that cannot be isotropically dimensionally oxidized into higher dimensions. We find several new families, headed by stainless solutions in various dimensions D ⩽ 9. In some cases, these occur with dimensions (D, p) that coincide with those of descendants of known families, but since the new solutions are stainless, they are necessarily distinct. The new stainless supersymmetric solutions include a 6-brane and a 5-brane in D = 9, a string in D = 5, and particles in all dimensions 5 ⩽ D ⩽ 9.     

Effective actions of intersecting brane worlds, fluxes and gaugino condensation

In this article we will first discuss the construction of brane world models being built either by intersecting D6-branes in type IIA orientifolds or, in the T-dual mirror picture, by D3- plus D7-branes with f-flux in type IIB orientifolds. We will show how their effective action is obtained by the calculation of scattering amplitudes between open and closed string states on intersecting D6-branes respectively on D3- and D7-branes. Secondly, turning on type IIB 3-form fluxes we will compute the induced soft supersymmetry breaking terms for the matter fields, like gaugino and scalar field masses. Finally, we will discuss the generation of 3-form flux in type IIB supergravity, which can be associated to the dynamical formation of a gaugino condensate in the confining phase of the dual N=1^* gauge theory. To cite this article: D. Lüst, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).

Résumé

Dans cet article nous discutons tout d'abord la construction de modèles de monde branaires construits soit par intersection de branes D6 dans des orientifolds de type IIA ou, dans la représentation T-duale, par des branes de type D3 et D7 avec des flux f dans les orientifolds de type IIB. Nous montrons comment obtenir leurs actions effectives en calculant les amplitudes de diffusion sur des intersections de branes de D6 et aussi sur des branes de type D3 et D7. Ensuite, nous allumons des flux pour la 3-forme de type IIB et nous calculons les termes de brisure douce de la supersymétrie pour les champs de matière, comme les masses du jaugino et des champs scalaires. Enfin, nous discutons la génération de flux pour la 3-forme de type IIB en supergravité, qui peut-être associée à la dynamique de la formation de condensat de jaugino dans la phase confinante de la théorie de jauge duale N=1^*. Pour citer cet article : D. Lüst, C. R. Physique 5 (2004).     

Defect branes

We discuss some general properties of “defect branes”, i.e. branes of co-dimension two, in (toroidally compactified) IIA/IIB string theory. In particular, we give a full classification of the supersymmetric defect branes in dimensions 3?D?10 as well as their higher-dimensional string and M-theory origin as branes and a set of “generalized” Kaluza-Klein monopoles. We point out a relation between the generalized Kaluza-Klein monopole solutions and a particular type of mixed-symmetry tensors. These mixed-symmetry tensors can be defined at the linearized level as duals of the supergravity potentials that describe propagating degrees of freedom. It is noted that the number of supersymmetric defect branes is always twice the number of corresponding central charges in the supersymmetry algebra.     

Semiclassical bosonic <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-brane boundary states in curved spacetime

In this paper we discuss the existence of quantum D-brane states in the strong gravitational field and in the presence of a constant Kalb-Ramond field. A semiclassical string quantization method in which the spacetime metric g _AB and the constant antisymmetric Kalb-Ramond field b _AB are treated exactly is employed. In this framework, the semiclassical D-branes are defined at the first order perturbation around the trajectory of the center-of-mass of a string. The set of equations the semiclassical D-branes must satisfy in a general strong gravitational field are given. These equations are solved in the AdS background where it is shown that a D-brane coherent state exists if the operators that project the string fields onto the corresponding Neumann and Dirichlet directions satisfy a set of algebraic constraints. A second set of equations that should be satisfied by the projectors in order that the semiclassical state be compatible with the global structure of the D-brane are derived in the particle limit of a string in the torsionless AdS background.     

Noncommutative M-branes from covariant open supermembranes

We discuss an open supermembrane in the presence of a constant three-form. The boundary conditions to ensure the κ-invariance of the action lead to possible Dirichlet branes. It is shown that a noncommutative (NC) M5-brane is possible as a boundary and the self-duality condition that the flux on the world-volume satisfies is derived from the requirement of the κ-symmetry. We also find that the open supermembrane can attach to each of infinitely many M2-branes on an M5-brane, namely a strong flux limit of the NC M5-brane.     

Emergence and expansion of cosmic space as due to <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>0-branes

Recently, Padmanabhan (arXiv:1206.4916 [hep-th]) discussed that the difference between the number of degrees of freedom on the boundary surface and the number of degrees of freedom in a bulk region causes the accelerated expansion of the universe. The main question arising is: what is the origin of this inequality between the surface degrees of freedom and the bulk degrees of freedom? We answer this question in M-theory. In our model, first M0-branes are compactified on one circle and N D0-branes are created. Then N D0-branes join each other, grow, and form one D5-branes. Next, the D5-brane is compactified on two circles and our universe’s D3-brane, two D1-branes and some extra energies are produced. After that, one of the D1-branes, which is closer to the universe’s brane, gives its energy into it, and this leads to an increase in the difference between the numbers of degrees of freedom and the occurring inflation era. With the disappearance of this D1-brane, the number of degrees of freedom of boundary surface and bulk region become equal and inflation ends. At this stage, extra energies that are produced due to the compactification cause an expansion of the universe and deceleration epoch. Finally, another D1-brane dissolves in our universe’s brane, leads to an inequality between degrees of freedom, and there occurs a new phase of acceleration.     

Branes and Calibrated Geometries

The fivebrane worldvolume theory in eleven dimensions is known to contain BPS threebrane solitons which can also be interpreted as a fivebrane whose worldvolume is wrapped around a Riemann surface. By considering configurations of intersecting fivebranes and hence intersecting threebrane solitons, we determine the Bogomol'nyi equations for more general BPS configurations. We obtain differential equations, generalising Cauchy–Riemann equations, which imply that the worldvolume of the fivebrane is wrapped around a calibrated submanifold. Received: 20 April 1998 / Accepted: 16 November 1998     

Brane factories

We propose that higher-dimensional extended objects (p-branes) are created by super-Planckian scattering processes in theories with TeV scale gravity. As an example, we compute the cross section for p-brane creation in a (n+4)-dimensional spacetime with asymmetric compactification. We find that the cross section for the formation of a brane which is wounded on a compact submanifold of size of the fundamental gravitational scale is larger than the cross section for the creation of a spherically symmetric black hole. Therefore, we predict that branes are more likely to be created than black holes in super-Planckian scattering processes in these manifolds. The higher rate of p-brane production has important phenomenological consequences, as it significantly enhances possible detection of non-perturbative gravitational events in future hadron colliders and cosmic rays detectors.     

Duality in the type-II superstring effective action

We derive the T-duality transformations that transform a general d = 10 solution of the type-IIA string with one isometry to a solution of the type-IIB string with one isometry and vice versa. In contrast to other superstring theories, the T-duality transformations are not related to a non-compact symmetry of a d = 9 supergravity theory. We also discuss S-duality in d = 9 and d = 10 and the relationship with eleven-dimensional supergravity theory. We apply these dualities to generate new solutions of the type-11A and type-IIB superstrings and of eleven-dimensional supergravity.     

Note on I-brane near horizon PP-wave background

We find out a PP-wave spacetime with constant Neveu–Schwarz (NS) three form flux by taking a Penrose limit on the (1+1)$(1+1)$-dimensional intersection of two orthogonal stacks of fivebranes in type IIB string theory. We further find out an intersecting (D1–D5)-brane solution in this background and analyze its supersymmetry properties by solving the dilatino and gravitino variations explicitly.     

On superembedding approach to multiple D-brane system. D0 story

We develop superembedding approach to multiple D-particle (D0-brane) system. In flat target D=10$D=10$ type IIA superspace this produces the supersymmetric and Lorentz covariant version of the Matrix model equations. The equations following from our superembedding approach to multiple D0 in curved type IIA superspace shows the Myers ‘dielectric brane effect’, i.e. interaction with higher form gauge fields which do not interact with a single D0-brane.     

Small E8 instantons and tensionless non-critical strings

T-duality is used to extract information on an instanton of zero size in the E₈ × E₈ heterotic string. We discuss the possibility of the appearance of a tensionless anti-self-dual non-critical string through an implementation of the mechanism suggested by Strominger of two coincident 5-branes. It is argued that when an instanton shrinks to zero size a tensionless non-critical string appears at the core of the instanton. It is further conjectured that the appearance of tensionless strings in the spectrum leads to new phase transitions in six dimensions in much the same way as massless particles do in four dimensions.