Four-dimensional BPS-spectra via M-theory

TL;DR

This paper explores four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric theories within M-theory, analyzing BPS states as two-branes ending on five-branes, and proposes topological classifications for different BPS states.

Contribution

It provides a novel M-theory framework for understanding BPS spectra in four-dimensional N=2 theories, linking two-brane configurations to specific BPS states and their stability.

Findings

BPS states correspond to two-branes with specific topologies.

Central charge arises from M-theory two-branes, determining BPS conditions.

Conjecture: vectormultiplet and hypermultiplet states relate to cylindrical and disc-shaped two-branes.

Abstract

We consider the realization of four-dimensional theories with N = 2 supersymmetry as M-theory configurations including a five-brane. Our emphasis is on the spectrum of massive states, that are realized as two-branes ending on the five-brane. We start with a determination of the supersymmetries that are left unbroken by the background metric and five-brane. We then show how the central charge of the N = 2 algebra arises from the central charge associated with the M-theory two-brane. This determines the condition for a two-brane configuration to be BPS-saturated in the four-dimensional sense. By imposing certain conditions on the moduli, we can give concrete examples of such two-branes. This leads us to conjecture that vectormultiplet and hypermultiplet BPS-saturated states correspond to two-branes with the topology of a cylinder and a disc respectively. We also discuss the phenomenon of marginal stability of BPS-saturated states.