Boundary terms for eleven-dimensional supergravity and M-theory

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new boundary-inclusive action for eleven-dimensional supergravity, addressing previous issues with infinite constants and establishing boundary conditions linking supergravity and matter fields, which induce gravitational torsion.

Contribution

It presents a novel boundary term for eleven-dimensional supergravity that resolves previous divergences and connects supergravity fields with matter fields through specific boundary conditions.

Findings

Resolved infinite constant issues in the supergravity action.

Derived boundary conditions linking supergravity and matter fields.

Showed matter fields induce gravitational torsion.

Abstract

A new action for eleven dimensional supergravity on a manifold with boundary is presented. The action is a possible low energy limit of $M$-theory. Previous problems with infinite constants in the action are overcome and a new set of boundary conditions relating the behaviour of the supergravity fields to matter fields are obtained. One effect of these boundary conditions is that matter fields generate gravitational torsion.