Six-Dimensional Tensionless Strings In The Large N Limit

TL;DR

This paper explores the large N limit of tensionless strings arising from coincident five-branes in M-theory, proposing new surface-equations to describe correlators and suggesting an emergent extra dimension.

Contribution

It introduces surface-equations analogous to loop-equations for tensionless strings and discusses the emergence of an extra dimension in the large N limit.

Findings

Large N limit suggests an extra uncompactified dimension.

Surface-equations may describe tensionless string correlators.

Analogies with 4D QCD matter addition.

Abstract

When $N$ five-branes of M-theory coincide the world-volume theory contains tensionless strings, according to Strominger's construction. This suggests a large $N$ limit of tensionless string theories. For the small $E_8$ instanton theories, the definition would be a large instanton number. An adiabatic argument suggests that in the large $N$ limit an effective extra uncompactified dimension might be observed. We also propose ``surface-equations'', which are an analog of Makeenko-Migdal loop-equations, and might describe correlators in the tensionless string theories. In these equations, the anti-self-dual two forms of 6D and the tensionless strings enter on an equal footing. Addition of strings with CFTs on their world-sheet is analogous to addition of matter in 4D QCD.