Overlapping Branes in M-Theory

TL;DR

This paper constructs new supersymmetric solutions in 11-dimensional supergravity describing multiple overlapping membranes and fivebranes, generalizing known intersecting brane solutions and exploring their reductions and dualities in string theory.

Contribution

It introduces a family of supersymmetric overlapping brane solutions in M-theory, extending known intersecting branes and analyzing their reductions and dualities in string theory.

Findings

Constructed solutions for n=2 to 8 overlapping branes.

Preserved at least 2^{-n} of supersymmetry.

Generated new D-brane solutions via T-duality and uplift.

Abstract

We construct new supersymmetric solutions of $D$=11 supergravity describing $n$ orthogonally ``overlapping" membranes and fivebranes for $n$=2,\dots,8. Overlapping branes arise after separating intersecting branes in a direction transverse to all of the branes. The solutions, which generalize known intersecting brane solutions, preserve at least $2^{-n}$ of the supersymmetry. Each pairwise overlap involves a membrane overlapping a membrane in a 0-brane, a fivebrane overlapping a fivebrane in a 3-brane or a membrane overlapping a fivebrane in a string. After reducing $n$ overlapping membranes to obtain $n$ overlapping $D$-2-branes in $D$=10, $T$-duality generates new overlapping $D$-brane solutions in type IIA and type IIB string theory. Uplifting certain type IIA solutions leads to the $D$=11 solutions. Some of the new solutions reduce to dilaton black holes in $D$=4. Additionally, we present a $D$=10 solution that describes two $D$-5-branes overlapping in a string. $T$-duality then generates further $D$=10 solutions and uplifting one of the type IIA solutions gives a new $D$=11 solution describing two fivebranes overlapping in a string.