Bosonic M-Theory From a Kac-Moody Algebra Perspective

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical possibility of a bosonic M-theory extension in higher dimensions using Kac-Moody algebra symmetries, suggesting that certain algebraic structures could underpin such a theory.

Contribution

It proposes that K11 and K27 symmetries could define a bosonic M-theory framework, replacing previous models that failed to preserve these symmetries.

Findings

K11 and K27 symmetries protect string coefficients in 10D and 26D.

Susskind-Horowitz model does not preserve these symmetries.

A non-trivial bosonic M-theory may exist in 11D, but not clearly in 27D.

Abstract

We study the existence of a bosonic m-theory extension of the 10D and 26D closed bosonic string in terms of Kac-Moody algebras. We argue that K11 and K27 are symmetries which protect the coefficients of the closed bosonic string in 10 and 26 dimensions. Therefore the Susskind-Horowitz bosonic m-theory obtained by compactification on S1/Z2, which does not produce the correct coefficients, must be replaced by something that preserves K11 and K27. We argue that in 11D, a non-trivial bosonic m-theory should be considered as (the bosonic sector of) m-theory, and in 27D that no obvious bosonic m-theory exists.