On the supersymmetric completion of the $R^4$ term in M-theory

TL;DR

This paper constructs an eight-dimensional supersymmetric action with 32 supercharges that can be uplifted to eleven dimensions, providing the complete bosonic $R^4$ correction in M-theory.

Contribution

It introduces a superfield-based method to derive the supersymmetric completion of the $R^4$ term in M-theory, revealing hidden eleven-dimensional Lorentz invariance.

Findings

An eight-dimensional action with 32 supersymmetries is constructed.

The action exhibits hidden eleven-dimensional Lorentz invariance.

The complete bosonic $R^4$ terms in M-theory are obtained.

Abstract

We examine the question of finding the supersymmetric completion of the $R^4$ term in M-theory. Using superfield methods, we present an eight derivative action in eight dimensions that has 32 preserved supersymmetries. We show also that this action has a hidden eleven-dimensional Lorentz invariance. It can thus be uplifted to give the complete set of bosonic terms in the M-theory eight derivative action.