On Flux Quantization In M-Theory And The Effective Action

TL;DR

This paper reveals a gravitational contribution to flux quantization in M-theory, ensuring a well-defined effective action that incorporates one-loop and Chern-Simons effects, with insights from heterotic string theory.

Contribution

It introduces a previously unknown gravitational term in flux quantization, clarifying the effective action of M-theory with loop and Chern-Simons corrections.

Findings

Gravitational contribution to flux quantization identified

Effective action of M-theory is well-defined with new terms

Relation to heterotic string theory aids analysis

Abstract

The quantization law for the antisymmetric tensor field of $M$-theory contains a gravitational contribution not known previously. When it is included, the low energy effective action of $M$-theory, including one-loop and Chern-Simons contributions, is well-defined. The relation of $M$-theory to the $E_8\times E_8$ heterotic string greatly facilitates the analysis.