BPS-spectra in four dimensions from M-theory

TL;DR

This paper reviews the spectrum of BPS states in N=2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories using M-theory, focusing on two-brane configurations, their BPS conditions, and stability phenomena.

Contribution

It provides a detailed M-theory framework for understanding BPS spectra, linking two-brane topology to BPS multiplet types and stability conditions.

Findings

Derived the central charge from eleven-dimensional supersymmetry algebra.

Established conditions for two-brane configurations to be BPS-saturated.

Explained the relation between mutual non-locality and marginal stability.

Abstract

I review my work together with Piljin Yi on the spectrum of BPS-saturated states in N = 2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories. In an M-theory description, such states are realized as certain two-brane configurations. We first show how the central charge of the N = 2 algebra arises from the two-form central charge of the eleven-dimensional supersymmetry algebra, and derive the condition for a two-brane configuration to be BPS-saturated. We then discuss how the topology of the two-brane determines the type of BPS-multiplet. Finally, we discuss the phenomenon of marginal stability and show how it is related to the mutual non-locality of states.