Related papers: Exceptional M-brane sigma models and $\eta$-symbol…
We construct an action for non-abelian 2-form in 6-dimensions. Our action consists of a non-abelian generalization of the abelian action of Perry and Schwarz for a single five-brane. It admits a self-duality equation on the field strength…
We give a microscopic two dimensional ${\cal N}=(2,2)$ gauge theory description of arbitrary M2-branes ending on $N_f$ M5-branes wrapping a punctured Riemann surface. These realize surface operators in four dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ field…
We present an ADHMN-like construction which generates self-dual string solutions to the effective M5-brane worldvolume theory from solutions to the Basu-Harvey equation. Our construction finds a natural interpretation in terms of gerbes,…
A manifestly S-dual, and `12 dimensional', IIB superstring action with an $Sl(2;\bR)$ doublet of `Born-Infeld' fields is presented. The M-theory origin of the 12th dimension is the M-2-brane tension, which can be regarded as the flux of a…
We propose quantum states for Little String Theories (LSTs) arising from M5 branes probing A- and D-type singularities. This extends Witten's picture of M5 brane partition functions as theta functions to this more general setup.…
The dissertation consists of two parts. The first presents an account of the effective worldvolume description of $N$ coincident M2-branes ending on an M5-brane in M-theory. It reviews Basu and Harvey's recent description of the worldvolume…
In the absence of a complete M-theory, we gather certain quantum aspects of this theory, namely, M-2 and M-5 brane duality and their tension quantization rule $2\kappa^2 T_2 T_5 = 2 \pi n$, the M-2 brane tension quantization $T_2…
The kappa symmetry of an open M2-brane ending on an M5-brane requires geometrical constraints on the embedding of the system in target superspace. These constraints lead to the M5-brane equations of motion, which we review both in…
We extend the usual world-volume action for a Dp-brane to the case of N coincident Dp-branes where the world-volume theory involves a U(N) gauge theory. The guiding principle in our construction is that the action should be consistent with…
We consider type IIB superstring theory with embedded $D5$-brane and choose boundary conditions which preserve half of the initial supersymmetry. In the canonical approach that we use, boundary conditions are treated as canonical…
We uncover and highlight relations between the M-branes in M-theory and various topological invariants: the Hopf invariant over $\mathbb{Q}$, $\mathbb{Z}$ and $\mathbb{Z}_2$, the Kervaire invariant, the $f$-invariant, and the…
We study the world-volume effective action of an exotic five-brane, known as the M-theory 5${}^3$-brane (M5${}^3$-brane) in eleven dimensions. The supermultiplet of the world-volume theory is the $\mathcal{N} = (2, 0)$ tensor multiplet in…
M2 branes probing T-brane backgrounds in M-theory with ADE surface singularities perceive deformations on their worldvolume superpotentials by monopole operators. The dynamics and moduli spaces of the resulting theories can be studied using…
Gauging the M-2-brane effective action with respect to an Abelian isometry in such a way that the invariance under gauge transformations of the 3-form potential is maintained (slightly modified) we obtain a fully covariant action with…
The (2,2) world-sheet supersymmetric string theory is discussed from the viewpoint of string/membrane unification. The effective field theory in the closed string target space is known to be the 2+2 dimensional (integrable) theory of…
A geometrical formulation of the T-duality rules for type II superstring Ramond--Ramond fields is presented. This is used to derive the Wess-Zumino terms in superstring D-brane actions, including terms proportional to the mass parameter of…
String and membrane dynamics may be unified into a theory of 2+2 dimensional self-dual world-volumes living in a 10+2 dimensional target space. Some of the vacua of this M-theory are described by the N=(2,1) heterotic string, whose target…
We generalize the current algebra of constraints of U-duality-covariant critical superstrings to include the generator responsible for the dynamics of the fundamental brane. This allows us to define $\kappa$ symmetry and to write a…
5-branes of nontrivial topology are associated in the Diaconescu-Hanany-Witten-Witten (DHWW) approach with the Seiberg-Witten (SW) theory of low-energy effective actions. There are two different "pictures", related to the IIA and IIB phases…
The fivebrane of M theory -- the M5-brane -- is an especially interesting object. It plays a central role in a geometric understanding of the Seiberg-Witten solution of N=2 D=4 gauge theories as well as in certain new 6d quantum theories.…