Spinfoam models for M-theory

TL;DR

This paper develops a spin foam model for M-theory using an auxiliary field theory approach, providing a topology-independent formulation of topological quantum field theories related to fivebrane worldvolumes.

Contribution

It introduces a novel spin foam model for M-theory based on auxiliary field theory, extending methods from quantum gravity to higher-dimensional topological theories.

Findings

Formulation of a spin foam model for M-theory.

Connection between 7D topological theories and superconformal theories.

Topology-independent description of fivebrane worldvolume theories.

Abstract

We use the approach to generate spin foam models by an auxiliary field theory defined on a group manifold (as recently developed in quantum gravity and quantization of BF-theories) in the context of topological quantum field theories with a 3-form field strength. Topological field theories of this kind in seven dimensions are related to the superconformal field theories which live on the worldvolumes of fivebranes in M-theory. The approach through an auxiliary field theory for spinfoams gives a topology independent formulation of such theories.