Duality-Symmetric Eleven-Dimensional Supergravity and its Coupling to M-Branes

TL;DR

This paper develops a duality-symmetric eleven-dimensional supergravity action that includes both three-form and six-form gauge fields, enabling consistent coupling to M2- and M5-branes, and relates duality properties to brane self-duality.

Contribution

It introduces a covariant duality-symmetric supergravity action in eleven dimensions that couples directly to M-branes, extending previous formulations.

Findings

Constructed a duality-symmetric supergravity action with three- and six-form fields.

Derived equations of motion for coupled M-branes.

Established relation between duality properties and M5-brane self-duality.

Abstract

The standard eleven-dimensional supergravity action depends on a three-form gauge field and does not allow direct coupling to five-branes. Using previously developed methods, we construct a covariant eleven-dimensional supergravity action depending on a three-form and six-form gauge field in a duality-symmetric manner. This action is coupled to both the M-theory two-brane and five-brane, and corresponding equations of motion are obtained. Consistent coupling relates D=11 duality properties with self-duality properties of the M-5-brane. From this duality-symmetric formulation, one can derive an action describing coupling of the M-branes to standard D=11 supergravity.