Modeling Multiple M2's

TL;DR

This paper explores a novel theoretical framework for multiple M2-branes ending on an M5-brane, proposing non-associative algebraic structures and supersymmetric actions to describe their worldvolume dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a non-associative algebraic approach and a supersymmetric action for modeling multiple M2-branes with new gauge symmetries.

Findings

Fields take values in a non-associative algebra.

Supersymmetry transformations close into a new gauge symmetry.

Basu-Harvey fuzzy funnel appears as a BPS solution.

Abstract

We investigate the worldvolume theory that describes N coincident M2-branes ending on an M5 brane. We argue that the fields that describe the transverse spacetime coordinates take values in a non-associative algebra. We postulate a set of supersymmetry transformations and find that they close into a novel gauge symmetry. We propose a three-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric action to describe the truncation of the full theory to the scalar and spinor fields, and show how a Basu-Harvey fuzzy funnel arises as the BPS solution to this theory.