The (2,0) supersymmetric theory of tensor multiplets and self-dual strings in six dimensions

TL;DR

This paper constructs a unique six-dimensional (2,0) supersymmetric action describing tensor multiplets interacting with self-dual strings, incorporating kinetic, electromagnetic, and membrane interaction terms.

Contribution

It introduces the first explicit supersymmetric action for tensor multiplets coupled to self-dual strings in six dimensions, including novel membrane interaction terms.

Findings

The action is invariant under supersymmetry and local symmetries.

Half of the fermionic degrees of freedom are eliminated via gauge fixing.

The formulation unifies tensor multiplet dynamics with self-dual string interactions.

Abstract

We construct a unique (2,0) supersymmetric action in six dimensions, describing a tensor multiplet interacting with a self-dual string. It is a sum of four terms: A free kinetic term for the tensor multiplet fields integrated over Minkowski space, a Nambu-Goto type kinetic term for the string integrated over the string world-sheet, a Wess-Zumino type electromagnetic coupling integrated over the world-volume of a Dirac membrane attached to the string, and a direct interaction of such Dirac membranes. In addition to supersymmetry, the action is also invariant under a local symmetry, which allows us to choose the Dirac membrane world-volume freely and eliminate half of the fermionic degrees of freedom on the string world-sheet.