The conformal bootstrap equations for the four fermi interaction in arbitrary dimensions

We derive the conformal bootstrap equations for theO(N) Gross Neveu model in arbitrary dimensions and solve them at \(\mathcal{O}(1/N^2 )\) to obtain the fermion anomalous dimension.     

M-theory from the superpoint

The “brane scan” classifies consistent Green–Schwarz strings and membranes in terms of the invariant cocycles on super Minkowski spacetimes. The “brane bouquet” generalizes this by consecutively forming the invariant higher central extensions induced by these cocycles, which yields the complete fundamental brane content of string/M-theory, including the D-branes and the M5-brane, as well as the various duality relations between these. This raises the question whether the super Minkowski spacetimes themselves arise as maximal invariant central extensions. Here, we prove that they do. Starting from the simplest possible super Minkowski spacetime, the superpoint, which has no Lorentz structure and no spinorial structure, we give a systematic process of consecutive “maximal invariant central extensions” and show that it discovers the super Minkowski spacetimes that contain superstrings, culminating in the 10- and 11-dimensional super Minkowski spacetimes of string/M-theory and leading directly to the brane bouquet.     

M-theory conifolds

Seven manifolds of G2 holonomy provide a bridge between M-theory and string theory, via Kaluza-Klein reduction to Calabi-Yau six manifolds. We find first-order equations for a new family of G2 metrics D7, with S3 x S3 principal orbits. These are related at weak string coupling to the resolved conifold, paralleling earlier examples B7 that are related to the deformed conifold, allowing a deeper study of topology change and mirror symmetry in M-theory. The D7 metrics' nontrivial parameter characterizes the squashing of an S3 bolt, which limits to S2 at weak coupling. In general the D7 metrics are asymptotically locally conical, with a nowhere-singular circle action.     

Supergravity and M-theory

Supergravity provides the effective field theories for string compactifications. The deformation of the maximal supergravities by non-abelian gauge interactions is only possible for a restricted class of charges. Generically these ‘gaugings’ involve a hierarchy of p-form fields which belong to specific representations of the duality group. The group-theoretical structure of this p-form hierarchy exhibits many interesting features. In the case of maximal supergravity the class of allowed deformations has intriguing connections with M/string theory. This study is based on a talk presented at Quantum gravity: challenges and perspectives, Heraeus Seminar, Bad Honnef, 14–16 April 2008.     

M-theory on eight-manifolds

We show that in certain compactifications of M-theory on eight-manifolds to three-dimensional Minkowski space-time the four-form field strength can have a non-vanishing expectation value, while an N = 2 supersymmetry is preserved. For these compactifications a warp factor for the metric has to be taken into account. This warp factor is non-trivial in three space-time dimensions due to Chern-Simons corrections to the fivebrane Bianchi identity. While the original metric on the internal space is not Kahler, it can be conformally transformed to a metric that is Kähler and Ricci flat, so that the internal manifold has SU(4) holonomy.     

Symmetric M-theory backgrounds

We classify symmetric backgrounds of eleven-dimensional supergravity up to local isometry. In other words, we classify triples (M, g, F), where (M,g) is an eleven-dimensional lorentzian locally symmetric space and F is an invariant 4-form, satisfying the equations of motion of eleven-dimensional supergravity. The possible (M,g) are given either by (not necessarily nondegenerate) Cahen-Wallach spaces or by products AdS_d × M^11?d for 2 ? d ? 7 and M^11?d a not necessarily irreducible riemannian symmetric space. In most cases we determine the corresponding F-moduli spaces.     

Overlapping branes in M-theory

We construct new supersymmetric solutions of D = 11 supergravity describing n orthogonally “overlapping” membranes and fivebranes for n = 2,…,8. Overlapping branes arise after separating intersecting branes in a direction transverse to all of the branes. The solutions, which generalize known intersecting brane solutions, preserve at least 2⁻ⁿ of the supersymmetry. Each pairwise overlap involves a membrane overlapping a membrane in a 0-brane, a fivebrane overlapping a fivebrane in a 3-brane or a membrane overlapping a fivebrane in a string. After reducing n overlapping membranes to obtain n overlapping D-2-branes in D = 10, T-duality generates new overlapping D-brane solutions in type IIA and type IIB string theory. Uplifting certain type IIA solutions leads to the D = 11 solutions. Some of the new solutions reduce to dilaton black holes in D = 4. Additionally, we present a D = 10 solution that describes two D-5-branes overlapping in a string. T-duality then generates further D = 10 solutions and uplifting one of the type IIA solutions gives a new D = 11 solution describing two fivebranes overlapping in a string.     

Form factors in finite volume I: Form factor bootstrap and truncated conformal space

We describe the volume dependence of matrix elements of local fields to all orders in inverse powers of the volume (i.e., only neglecting contributions that decay exponentially with volume). Using the scaling Lee–Yang model and the Ising model in a magnetic field as testing ground, we compare them to matrix elements extracted in finite volume using truncated conformal space approach to exact form factors obtained using the bootstrap method. We obtain solid confirmation for the form factor bootstrap, which is different from all previously available tests in that it is a non-perturbative and direct comparison of exact form factors to multi-particle matrix elements of local operators, computed from the Hamiltonian formulation of the quantum field theory. We also demonstrate that combining form factor bootstrap and truncated conformal space is an effective method for evaluating finite volume form factors in integrable field theories over the whole range in volume.     

A calibration bound for the M-theory fivebrane

We construct a covariant bound on the energy-momentum of the M-fivebrane which is saturated by all supersymmetric configurations. This leads to a generalised notion of a calibrated geometry for M-fivebranes when the worldvolume gauge field is non-zero. The generalisation relevant for Dp-branes is also given.     

Towards supersymmetric cosmology in M-theory

We present a new solution in the heterotic M-theory in which the metric depends on (cosmic) time. The solution preserves N=1 supersymmetry in 4 dimensions in the leading order of the κ^2/3 expansion. It is the first example of the time-dependent supersymmetric solution in M-theory on . It describes expanding 4-dimensional space–time with shrinking orientifold interval and static Calabi–Yau internal space.     

Magnon-like dispersion relation from M-theory

We investigate classical rotating membranes in two different backgrounds. First, we obtain membrane solution in AdS₄×S⁷${\mathit{AdS}}_4\times S^7$ background, analogous to the solution obtained by Hofman and Maldacena in the case of string theory. We find a magnon type dispersion relation similar to that of Hofman and Maldacena and to the one found by Dorey for the two spin case. In the appendix of the paper, we consider membrane solutions in AdS₇×S⁴${\mathit{AdS}}_7\times S^4$, which give new relations between the conserved charges.     

Five-brane effective action in M-theory

On the world-volume of an M-theory five-brane propagates a two-form with self-dual field strength. As this field is non-Lagrangian, there is no obvious framework for determining its partition function. An analogous problem exists in Type IIB superstring theory for the self-dual five-form. The resolution of these problems and definition of the partition function is explained. A more complete analysis of perturbative anomaly cancellation for M-theory five-branes is also presented, uncovering some surprising details.     

String theory dualities from M-theory

We analyze how string theory dualities may be described in M-theory. T-dualities arise from scalar-vector dualities in the worldvolume of the membrane of M-theory. “Electric-magnetic” dualities arise from a duality transformation in M-theory compactified on a 3-torus, which takes the membrane into a fivebrane wrapped around the 3-torus. We show how the action of the membrane transforms into the action of the wrapped fivebrane by this fransformation. Other “electric-magnetic” dualities are related to this duality by compactifications and orbifoldings.