M-theory and Characteristic Classes

TL;DR

This paper explores the topological structure of M-theory by expressing key action terms through new characteristic classes involving the four-form and string classes, proposing a framework for higher characteristic classes.

Contribution

It introduces new characteristic classes related to M-theory's four-form and string classes, offering a novel topological perspective on M-theory's action terms.

Findings

Chern-Simons and one-loop terms expressed via new characters

Provides a new topological interpretation of M-theory

Suggests a framework for higher characteristic classes

Abstract

In this note we show that the Chern-Simons and the one-loop terms in the M-theory action can be written in terms of new characters involving the M-theory four-form and the string classes. This sheds a new light on the topological structure behind M-theory and suggests the construction of a theory of `higher' characteristic classes.