Membranes with a boundary

TL;DR

This paper explores the boundary dynamics of open membranes, deriving boundary actions from Chern-Simons theories, and connects these to fivebrane physics through Basu-Harvey equations.

Contribution

It introduces a boundary action for open membranes, modifies Chern-Simons theories to preserve supersymmetry, and links membrane boundary dynamics to fivebrane configurations.

Findings

Derived boundary actions from Chern-Simons terms.

Modified ABJM model with boundary scalar potential.

Produced Basu-Harvey equations from boundary dynamics.

Abstract

We investigate the recently developed theory of multiple membranes. In particular, we consider open membranes, i.e. the theory defined on a membrane world volume with a boundary. We first restrict our attention to the gauge sector of the theory. We obtain a boundary action from the Chern-Simons terms. Secondly, we consider the addition of certain boundary terms to various Chern-Simons theories coupled to matter. These terms ensure the full bulk plus boundary action has the correct amount of supersymmetry. For the ABJM model, this construction motivates the inclusion of a boundary quartic scalar potential. The boundary dynamics obtained from our modified theory produce Basu-Harvey type equations describing membranes ending on a fivebrane. The ultimate goal of this work is to throw light on the theory of fivebranes using the theory of open membranes.