We systematically classify all possible Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) equations in Euclidean dimension $d\leq8$. We discuss symmetries of BPS equations and their connection with the self-dual Yang-Mills equations. Also, we present a general method allowing to obtain the BPS equations in any dimension. In addition, we find all BPS equations in the Minkowski space of dimension $d\leq6$ and apply the obtained results to the supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories. In conclusion, we discuss the possibility of using the classification to construct soliton solutions of the low-energy effective theory of the heterotic string.
We investigate BPS conditions preserving n/12 (n = 1,...,6) supersymmetries in the Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena (ABJM) model. The BPS equations are classified in terms of the number of preserved supercharges and remaining subgroups of the SU(4)_R symmetry. We study structures of a map between projection conditions for the supercharges in eleven dimensions and those in the ABJM model. The BPS configurations in the ABJM model can be interpreted as known BPS objects in eleven-dimensional Mtheory,such as intersecting M2, M5-branes, M-waves, KK-monopoles and M9-branes. We also show that these…
In this thesis I discuss the derivation of the BPS solutions of the most general N=2, d=5 gauged supergravity with matter. In particular I will concentrate on the dependence of BPS equations on the choice of the gauging, in presence of not trivial hypermultiplets (not constant prepotential). My purpose is, starting from the experience gained in some special examples, to extend the results of Gauntlett et Gutowski for the minimal gauged case to the theory with a generic number of hypermultiplets. Two ingredients are fundamental for this study: rewriting the BPS constraints on the killing spinor…
The tiny graviton matrix theory [hep-th/0406214] is proposed to describe DLCQ of type IIB string theory on the maximally supersymmetric plane-wave or AdS_5xS^5 background. In this paper we provide further evidence in support of the tiny graviton conjecture by focusing on the zero energy, half BPS configurations of this matrix theory and classify all of them. These vacua are generically of the form of various three sphere giant gravitons. We clarify the connection between our solutions and the half BPS configuration in N=4 SYM theory and their gravity duals. Moreover, using our half BPS solutio…
We classify, in a group theoretical manner, the BPS configurations in the multiple M2-brane theory recently proposed by Bagger and Lambert. We present three types of BPS equations preserving various fractions of supersymmetries: in the first type we have constant fields and the interactions are purely algebraic in nature; in the second type the equations are invariant under spatial rotation SO(2), and the fields can be time-dependent; in the third class the equations are invariant under boost SO(1,1) and provide the eleven-dimensional generalizations of the Nahm equations. The BPS equations fo…
In an earlier paper we gave the complete group-theoretical classification of BPS states of the N-extended D=4 conformal superalgebras su(2,2/N), but not all interesting cases were given in detail. In the present paper we spell out the interesting case of (1/N)-BPS and possibly protected states.
In this paper we construct and classify novel Drukker-Trancanelli (DT) type BPS Wilson loops along infinite straight lines and circles in $\mathcal N=2,3$ quiver superconformal Chern-Simons-matter theories, Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena (ABJM) theory, and $\mathcal N=4$ orbifold ABJM theory. Generally we have four classes of Wilson loops, and all of them preserve the same supersymmetries as the BPS Gaiotto-Yin (GY) type Wilson loops. There are several free complex parameters in the DT type BPS Wilson loops, and for two classes of Wilson loops in ABJM theory and $\mathcal N=4$ orbifold ABJ…
We give an invariant classification of orbits of the fundamental representations of exceptional groups $E_{7(7)}$ and $E_{6(6)}$ which classify BPS states in string and M theories toroidally compactified to d=4 and d=5. The exceptional Jordan algebra and the exceptional Freudenthal triple system and their cubic and quartic invariants play a major role in this classification. The cubic and quartic invariants correspond to the black hole entropy in d=5 and d=4, respectively. The classification of BPS states preserving different numbers of supersymmetries is in close parallel to the classificatio…
We give explicitly the reduction of supersymmetries of the positive energy unitary irreducible representations of the N-extended D=4 conformal superalgebras su(2,2/N). Further we give the classification of BPS and possibly protected states.
We propose a graph-based approach to 5d superconformal field theories (SCFTs) based on their realization as M-theory compactifications on singular elliptic Calabi--Yau threefolds. Field-theoretically, these 5d SCFTs descend from 6d $\mathcal{N}=(1,0)$ SCFTs by circle compactification and mass deformations. We derive a description of these theories in terms of graphs, so-called Combined Fiber Diagrams, which encode salient features of the partially resolved Calabi--Yau geometry, and provides a combinatorial way of characterizing all 5d SCFTs that descend from a given 6d theory. Remarkably, thes…
In the search for a classification of BPS backgrounds with flux, we look at geometries that arise when M-branes wrap supersymmetric cycles in Calabi-Yau manifolds. We find constraints on the differential forms in the back-reacted manifolds and discover that the calibration corresponding to the (background generating) M-brane is a co-closed form.
We carry out a general analysis of the representations of the superconformal algebras SU(2,2/N), OSp(8/4,R) and OSp(8^*/4) and give their realization in superspace. We present a construction of their UIR's by multiplication of the different types of massless superfields ("supersingletons"). Particular attention is paid to the so-called "short multiplets". Representations undergoing shortening have "protected dimension" and correspond to BPS states in the dual supergravity theory in anti-de Sitter space. These results are relevant for the classification of multitrace operators in boundary confo…
We carry out a general analysis of the representations of the superconformal algebras OSp(8/4,R) and OSp(8*/2N) in terms of harmonic superspace. We present a construction of their highest-weight UIR's by multiplication of the different types of massless conformal superfields ("supersingletons"). Particular attention is paid to the so-called "short multiplets". Representations undergoing shortening have "protected dimension" and may correspond to BPS states in the dual supergravity theory in anti-de Sitter space. These results are relevant for the classification of multitrace operators in bound…
A class of generalized Wess-Zumino models with distinct vacua is investigated. These models allow for BPS saturated vacua interpolation along one compact spatial dimension. The properties of these interpolations are studied.
We consider the maximal supersymmetric pure Yang-Mills theories on six and eight dimensional space. We determine, in a systematic way, all the possible fractions of supersymmetry preserved by the BPS states and present the corresponding `self-dual' BPS equations. In six dimensions the intrinsic one has 1/4 supersymmetry, while in eight dimensions, 1/16, 2/16, ..., 6/16. We apply our results to some explicit BPS configurations of finite or infinite energy on commutative or noncommutative spaces.
Two families of SO(2n) Higgs models in $2n$ dimensional spacetime are presented. One family arises from the {\it dimensional reduction} of higher dimensional Yang-Mills systems while the construction of the other one is {\it ad hoc}, the $n=2$ member of each family coinciding with the usual SU(2) Yang-Mills--Higgs system without Higgs potential. All models support BPS 'monopole' solutions. The 'dyons' of the {\it dimensionally descended} models are also BPS, while the electrically charged solutions of the {\it ad hoc} models are not BPS.
BPS representations of 5-dimensional supersymmetry algebras are classified. For BPS states preserving 1/2 the supersymmetry, there are two distinct classes of multiplets for N=4 supersymmetry and three classes for N=8 supersymmetry. For N=4 matter theories, the two 1/2 supersymmetric BPS multiplets are the massive vector multiplet and the massive self-dual 2-form multiplet. Some applications to super-Yang-Mills, supergravity and little string theories are considered.
We discuss topologically stable solitons in two-dimensional theories with the extended supersymmetry assuming that the spatial coordinate is compact. This problem arises in the consideration of the domain walls in the popular theories with compactified extra dimensions. Contrary to naive expectations, it is shown that the solitons on the cylinder can be BPS saturated. In the case of one chiral superfield, a complete theory of the BPS saturated solitons is worked out. We describe the classical solutions of the BPS equations. Depending on the choice of the Kahler metric, the number of such solut…
The 12d supersymmetry algebra is considered, and classification of BPS states for some canonical form of second-rank central charge is given. It is shown, that possible fractions of survived supersymmetry can be 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 1/2, the values 3/8, 7/16 cannot be achieved in this way. The consideration of a special case of non-zero sixth-rank tensor charge also is included.
We study the 1/4 BPS equations in the eight dimensional noncommutative Yang-Mills theory found by Bak, Lee and Park. We explicitly construct some solutions of the 1/4 BPS equations using the noncommutative version of the ADHM-like construction in eight dimensions. From the calculation of topological charges, we show that our solutions can be interpreted as the bound states of the $D0$-$D4$-$D8$ with a $B$-field. We also discuss the structure of the moduli space of the 1/4 BPS solutions and determine the metric of the moduli space of the U(2) one-instanton in four and eight dimensions.
We consider a large N, two-family Calogero and matrix model in the Hamiltonian, collective-field approach. The Bogomol'nyi limit appears and the solutions to the coupled Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfeld equations are given by the static soliton configurations. We find all solutions close to constant and construct exact one-parameter solutions in the strong-weak dual case. Full classification of these solutions is presented.
We study non-BPS black hole solutions to ungauged supergravity with 8 supercharges coupled to vector multiplets in four and five dimensions. We identify a large class of five dimensional non-BPS solutions, which we call "almost BPS", that are supersymmetric on local patches and satisfy a first order flow governed by harmonic functions. By dimensional reduction, they give rise to new non-BPS solutions in four dimensions. These solutions allow for some nontrivial asymptotic moduli and multiple centres, similar to their globally supersymmetric cousins. We explicitly discuss a single centre and a …
We consider N=2 superconformal theories defined on a 3+1 dimensional hyperplane intersection of two sets of M5 branes. These theories have (tensionless) BPS string solitons. We use a dual supergravity formulation to deduce some of their properties via the AdS/CFT correspondence.
We show how by assuming at least 8 real timelike supersymmetries in the maximally supersymmetric three-dimensional ungauged supergravity and a further simplifying Ansatz, we are naturally led to a pair of Liouville field equations. We also show that there are no solutions that preserve only 6 real timelike supersymmetries. The solution relies on the classification of complex spinors of Spin(8) to which the problem quickly reduces.
We determine, in the context of five-dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ gauged supergravity with vector and hypermultiplets, the conditions under which curved (non Ricci flat) supersymmetric domain wall solutions may exist. These curved BPS domain wall solutions may, in general, be supported by non-constant vector and hyper scalar fields. We establish our results by a careful analysis of the BPS equations as well as of the associated integrability conditions and the equations of motion. We construct an example of a curved BPS solution in a gauged supergravity model with one hypermultiplet. We also discu…
Generalized Wess-Zumino models which admit topologically non-trivial BPS saturated configurations along one compact, spatial dimension are investigated in various dimensions of space-time. We show that, in a representative model and for sufficiently large circumference, there are BPS configurations along the compact dimension containing an arbitrary number of equidistant, well-separated domain walls. We analyze the spectrum of the bosonic and fermionic light and massless modes that are localized on these walls. The masses of the light modes are exponentially suppressed by the ratio of the dist…
We use the results of hep-th/0007174 on the simple current classification of open unoriented CFTs to construct half supersymmetry preserving crosscap states for rational Calabi-Yau compactifications. We show that the corresponding orientifold fixed planes obey the BPS-like relation M=exp(i*phi)Q. To prove this relation, it is essential that the worldsheet CFT properly includes the degrees of freedom from the uncompactified space-time component. The BPS-phase phi can be identified with the automorphism type of the crosscap states. To illustrate the method we compute crosscap states in Gepner mo…
The supergroup OSp(8*|4), which is the superconformal group of (2,0) theory in six dimensions, is broken to the subgroup OSp(4|2)xOSp(4|2) by demanding the invariance of a certain product in a superspace with eight bosonic and four fermionic dimensions. We show that this is consistent with the symmetry breaking induced by the presence of a flat two-dimensional BPS surface in the usual (2,0) superspace, which has six bosonic and sixteen fermionic dimensions.
We find non-BPS solutions of the noncommutative CP^1 model in 2+1 dimensions. These solutions correspond to soliton anti-soliton configurations. We show that the one-soliton one-anti-soliton solution is unstable when the distance between the soliton and the anti-soliton is small. We also construct time-dependent solutions and other types of solutions.
The integrability of N=(2,2) dilaton supergravity in two dimensions is studied by the use of the graded Poisson Sigma model approach. Though important differences compared to the purely bosonic models are found, the general analytic solutions are obtained. The latter include minimally gauged models as well as an ungauged version. BPS solutions are an especially interesting subclass.
We analyze the fermionic wigging of 1/2-BPS (electric) extremal black hole attractors in N=2, D=5 ungauged Maxwell-Einstein supergravity theories, by exploiting anti-Killing spinors supersymmetry transformations. Regardless of the specific data of the real special geometry of the manifold defining the scalars of the vector multiplets, and differently from the D=4 case, we find that there are no corrections for the near--horizon attractor value of the scalar fields; an analogous result also holds for 1/2-BPS (magnetic) extremal black string. Thus, the attractor mechanism receives no fermionic c…
We localize the four-dimensional N=4 super Yang-Mills theory on a four-sphere to the two-dimensional constrained Hitchin/Higgs-Yang-Mills (cHYM) theory on a two-sphere S^2. We show that expectation values of certain 1/8 BPS supersymmetric Wilson loops on S^2 in the 4d N=4 SYM is captured by the 2d cHYM theory. We further argue that expectation values of Wilson loops in the cHYM theory agree with the prescription "two-dimensional bosonic Yang-Mills excluding instanton contributions". Hence, we support the recent conjecture by Drukker, Giombi, Ricci and Trancanelli on the 1/8 BPS Wilson loops on…
We study some aspects of enhanced gauge symmetries in F-theory compactified on K3. We find open string configurations connecting various 7-branes which represent stable BPS states. In this approach we recover $D_n$ and $E_n$ gauge groups previously found from an analysis of sigularities of the moduli space of elliptically fibered K3 manifolds as well as examples of non-perturbative realizations of $A_n$ groups.
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 …
In a recent paper, we studied the scalar fields of the five dimensional N=2 hypermultiplets using the method of symplectic covariance. For static spherically symmetric backgrounds, we showed that exactly two possibilities exist and detailed one of them. In this paper, we present the second case: Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) one-branes carrying charge under the hypermultiplets. We find an explicitly symplectic solution of the fields in this background and derive the conditions required for a full spacetime understanding.
We study N=(2,2) supersymmetric abelian gauge theories in two dimensions. The exact BPS spectrum of these models is shown to coincide with the spectrum of massive hypermultiplets of certain N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories in four dimensions. A special case of these results involves a surprising connection between four-dimensional N=2 SQCD with N colours and N_{f}>N flavours at the root of the baryonic Higgs branch and the supersymmetric CP^{2N-N_{f}-1} sigma-model in two dimensions. This correspondence implies a new prediction for the strong-coupling spectrum of the four-dimensional theory.
We define the notion of a complete N=2 supersymmetric theory in 4 dimensions as a UV complete theory for which all the BPS central charges can be arbitrarily varied as we vary its Coulomb branch parameters, masses, and coupling constants. We classify all such theories whose BPS spectrum can be obtained via a quiver diagram. This is done using the 4d/2d correspondence and by showing that such complete N=2 theories map to quivers of finite mutation type. The list of such theories is given by the (generalized) Gaiotto theories consisting of two 5-branes wrapping Riemann surfaces with punctures, a…
We consider 10-dimensional super Yang-Mills theory with topological terms compactified on a noncommutative torus. We calculate supersymmetry algebra and derive BPS energy spectra from it. The cases of d-dimensional tori with d=2,3,4 are considered in full detail. SO(d,d|Z)-invariance of the BPS spectrum and relation of new results to the previous work in this direction are discussed.
We present a unifying theme relating BPS partition functions and superconformal indices. In the case with complex SUSY central charges (as in N=2 in d=4 and N=(2,2) in d=2) the known results can be reinterpreted as the statement that the BPS partition functions can be used to compute a specialization of the superconformal indices. We argue that in the case with real central charge in the supersymmetry algebra, as in N=1 in d=5 (or the N=2 in d=3), the BPS degeneracy captures the full superconformal index. Furthermore, we argue that refined topological strings, which captures 5d BPS degeneracie…
It is shown that N=4 gauged supergravity in four dimensions is obtained by compactifying N=1 supergravity in ten dimensions on the group manifold $S^3\times S^3$. This could be further related to supergravity in eleven dimensions. Analysis of supersymmetry conditions of N=4 gauged supergravity in four dimensions reveals solutions which preserve 1/4 of the supersymmetries and are characterized by a BPS-monopole-type gauge field. These solutions are lifted to solutions of the ten and eleven dimensional theories.
We review the problem of BPS state counting described by the generalized quiver matrix model of ADHM type. In four dimensions the generating function of the counting gives the Nekrasov partition function and we obtain generalization in higher dimensions. By the localization theorem, the partition function is given by the sum of contributions from the fixed points of the torus action, which are labeled by partitions, plane partitions and solid partitions. The measure or the Boltzmann weight of the path integral can take the form of the plethystic exponential. Remarkably after integration the pa…
In this set of lectures various properties of D-branes are discussed. After reviewing the basics, we discuss unstable D-brane/anti-D-brane systems, a subject pioneered by Sen. Following him, we discuss the construction of the non-BPS D0-brane in type I theory. This state is stable since it carries a conserved Z_2 charge. The general classification of D-brane charges using K-theory is discussed. The results for the type I theory, and the T-dual type I' theory, are emphasized. Compactification of type I on a circle or torus gives a theory with 16 supersymmetries in 9d or 8d. In each case the mod…
We systematically classify 1/2, 1/4 and 1/8 BPS equations in SUSY gauge theories in d=6, 5, 4, 3 and 2 with eight supercharges, with gauge groups and matter contents being arbitrary. Instantons (strings) and vortices (3-branes) are only allowed 1/2 BPS solitons in d=6 with N=1 SUSY. We find two 1/4 BPS equations and the unique 1/8 BPS equation in d=6 by considering configurations made of these field theory branes. All known BPS equations are rederived while several new 1/4 and 1/8 BPS equations are found in dimension less than six by dimensional reductions.
We propose a formulation of 11-dimensional M-theory in terms of five-branes with closed strings on their world-volume. We use this description to construct the complete spectrum of BPS states in compactifications to six and five dimensions. We compute the degeneracy for fixed charge and find it to be in accordance with U-duality (which in our formulation is manifest in six dimensions) and the statistical entropy formula of the corresponding black hole. We also briefly comment on the four-dimensional case.
We analyze the BPS solutions of minimal supergravity coupled to an anti-self-dual tensor multiplet in six dimensions and find solutions that fluctuate non-trivially as a function of two variables. We consider families of solutions coming from KKM monopoles fibered over Gibbons-Hawking metrics or, equivalently, non-trivial T^2 fibrations over an R3 base. We find smooth microstate geometries that depend upon many functions of one variable, but each such function depends upon a different direction inside the T^2 so that the complete solution depends non-trivially upon the whole T^2 . We comment o…
We study supersymmetry of N=4 super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions deformed in the Omega-background. We take the Nekrasov-Shatashvili limit of the background so that two-dimensional super Poincare symmetry is recovered. We compute the deformed central charge of the superalgebra and study the 1/2 and 1/4 BPS states. We obtain the Omega-deformed 1/2 and 1/4 BPS dyon equations from the deformed supersymmetry transformation and the Bogomol'nyi completion of the energy.
We study four-point correlation functions of half-BPS operators of arbitrary weight for all dimensions d=3,4,5,6 where superconformal theories exist. Using harmonic superspace techniques, we derive the superconformal Ward identities for these correlators and present them in a universal form. We then solve these identities, employing Jack polynomial expansions. We show that the general solution is parameterized by a set of arbitrary two-variable functions, with the exception of the case d=4, where in addition functions of a single variable appear. We also discuss the operator product expansion …
We discuss toroidal compactifications of maximal supergravity coupled to an extended configuration of BPS states which transform consistently under the U-duality group. Under certain conditions this leads to theories that live in more than eleven spacetime dimensions, with maximal supersymmetry but only partial Lorentz invariance. We demonstrate certain features of this construction for the case of nine-dimensional N=2 supergravity.
Procedure of finding of the Bogomolny-Prasad-Sommerfield monopole solutions in the Georgi-Glashow model is investigated in detail on the backgrounds of three space models of constant curvature: Euclid, Riemann, Lobachevski's. Classification of possible solutions is given. It is shown that among all solutions there exist just three ones which reasonably and in a one-to-one correspondence can be associated with respective geometries. It is pointed out that the known non-singular BPS-solution in the flat Minkowski space can be understood as a result of somewhat artificial combining the Minkowski …
Unstable, non-BPS D-branes in weakly coupled ten dimensional string theory have many mysterious properties. Among other things, it is not clear what sets their tension, what is their relation to the better understood BPS D-branes, and why the open string tachyon on them is described by an effective Lagrangian which suggests that the tachyon corresponds to an extra spatial dimension transverse to the branes. We point out that the dynamics of D-branes in the presence of Neveu-Schwarz fivebranes on a transverse R^3 times S^1 provides a useful toy model for studying these issues. From the point of…
We discuss quantum tunneling between classically BPS saturated solitons in two-dimensional theories with N=2 supersymmetry and a compact space dimension. Genuine BPS states form shortened multiplets of dimension two. In the models we consider there are two degenerate shortened multiplets at the classical level, but there is no obstruction to pairing up through quantum tunneling. The tunneling amplitude in the imaginary time is described by instantons. We find that the instanton is nothing but the 1/4 BPS saturated ``wall junction,'' considered previously in the literature in other contexts. Tw…
With the purpose of holographically describing flows from a large family of four dimensional ${\cal N}=1$ and ${\cal N}=2$ conformal field theories, we discuss truncations of seven dimensional supergravity to five dimensions. We write explicitly the reduced gauged supergravity and find BPS equations for simple configurations. Lifting these flows to eleven dimensions or Massive IIA supergravity, we present string duals to RG flows from strongly coupled conformal theories when deformed by marginal and/or relevant operators. We further discuss observables common to infinite families of ${\cal N}=…
This talk is based on the recent work in collaboration with M. Azreg-A\"ınou and G. Clément devoted to extremal instantons in the one-vector truncation of the Euclidean $\mathcal{N}=4,\, D=4$ theory. Extremal solutions satisfying the no-force condition can be associated with null geodesic curves in the homogeneous target space of the three-dimensional sigma model arising in toroidal reduction of the four-dimensional theory. Here we (preliminarily) discuss the case of two vector fields sufficient to find all relevant metrics in the full $\mathcal{N}=4,\, D=4$ theory. Classification of instanton…
Stationary, spherically symmetric solutions of N=2 supergravity in 3+1 dimensions have been shown to correspond to holomorphic curves on the twistor space of the quaternionic-Kähler space which arises in the dimensional reduction along the time direction. In this note, we generalize this result to the case of 1/4-BPS black holes in N=4 supergravity, and show that they too can be lifted to holomorphic curves on a "twistor space" Z, obtained by fibering the Grassmannian F=SO(8)/U(4) over the moduli space in three-dimensions SO(8,n_v+2)/SO(8)xSO(n_v+2). This provides a kind of octonionic generali…
Microstates of colinear black holes embedded in a multi-center Taub-NUT spacetime are sought in 4 dimensions. A set of coupled ordinary partial differential equations are obtained and solved for almost-BPS states, where some supersymmetry is preserved in the context of N=2 supergravity in 4 dimensions. The regularity of solutions is being carefully considered and we ensure that no CTC (closed time-like curves) are present. The larger framework is that of 11-dimensional N=2 supergravity and the current theory is obtained by compactifying down to 4 dimensions.
In this work, we found the solution for the field equations of eleven-dimensional supergravity with a BPS conical topological defect configuration. We chose the solutions that corresponded to a M2-brane where the space-time presents the co-dimension two. The source of the topological defect is a sigma model where the brane tension is connected with the angular deficit. We analyzed the Killing spinor equations, a 3-form gauge potential and Einstein's equations, proving that it is possible to find a full solution for the system. We analyzed the near-horizon limit proving that it is possible to o…
The condition of vanishing of static force on a q-brane probe in the gravitational background produced by another p-brane is used to give a simple derivation of the pair-wise intersection rules which govern the construction of BPS combinations of branes. These rules, while implied also by supersymmetry considerations, thus have purely bosonic origin. Imposing the no-force requirement makes possible to add branes `one by one' to construct composite BPS configurations (with zero binding energy) of 2-branes and 5-branes in D=11 and of various p-branes in D=10. The advantage of this elementary app…
