We show that charge-quantization of the M-theory C-field in J-twisted Cohomotopy implies emergence of a higher Sp(1)-gauge field on single heterotic M5-branes, which exhibits worldvolume twisted String structure.
We highlight what seems to be a remaining subtlety in the argument for the cancellation of the total anomaly associated with the M5-brane in M-theory. Then we prove that this subtlety is resolved under the hypothesis that the C-field flux is charge-quantized in the generalized cohomology theory called J-twisted Cohomotopy.
We consider the hypothesis that the C-field 4-flux and 7-flux forms in M-theory are in the image of the non-abelian Chern character map from the non-abelian generalized cohomology theory called J-twisted Cohomotopy theory. We prove for M2-brane backgrounds in M-theory on 8-manifolds that such charge quantization of the C-field in Cohomotopy theory implies a list of expected anomaly cancellation conditions, including: shifted C-field flux quantization and C-field tadpole cancellation, but also the DMW anomaly cancellation and the C-field's integral equation of motion.
The full 6d Hopf-Wess-Zumino term in the action functional for the M5-brane is anomalous as traditionally defined. What has been missing is a condition implying the higher analogue of level quantization familiar from the 2d Wess-Zumino term. We prove that the anomaly cancellation condition is implied by the hypothesis that the C-field is charge-quantized in twisted Cohomotopy theory. The proof follows by a twisted/parametrized generalization of the Hopf invariant, after identifying the full 6d Hopf-Wess-Zumino term with a twisted homotopy Whitehead integral formula, which we establish.
We combine rational homotopy theory and higher Lie theory to describe the WZW term in the M5-brane sigma model. We observe that this term admits a natural interpretation as a twisted 7-cocycle on super-Minkowski spacetime with coefficients in the rational 4-sphere. This exhibits the WZW term as an element in twisted cohomology, with the twist given by the cocycle of the M2-brane. We consider integration of this rational situation to differential cohomology and differential cohomotopy.
There are fundamental open problems in the precise global nature of RR-field tadpole cancellation conditions in string theory. Moreover, the non-perturbative lift as M5/MO5-anomaly cancellation in M-theory had been based on indirect plausibility arguments,lacking a microscopic underpinning in M-brane charge quantization. We provide a framework for answering these questions, crucial not only for mathematical consistency but also for phenomenological accuracy of string theory, by formulating the M-theory C-field on flat M-orientifolds in the generalized cohomology theory called Equivariant Cohom…
We characterize the integral cohomology and the rational homotopy type of the maximal Borel-equivariantization of the combined Hopf/twistor fibration, and find that subtle relations satisfied by the cohomology generators are just those that govern Horava-Witten's proposal for the extension of the Green-Schwarz mechanism from heterotic string theory to heterotic M-theory. We discuss how this squares with the Hypothesis H that the elusive mathematical foundation of M-theory is based on charge quantization in J-twisted Cohomotopy theory.
In this paper, we construct for higher twists that arise from cohomotopy classes, the Chern character in higher twisted K-theory, that maps into higher twisted cohomology. We show that it gives rise to an isomorphism between higher twisted K-theory and higher twisted cohomology over the reals. Finally we compute spherical T-duality in higher twisted K-theory and higher twisted cohomology in very general cases.
We analyse in detail the language of partially non-abelian Deligne cohomology and of twisted differential K-theory, in order to describe the geometry of type II superstring backgrounds with D-branes. This description will also provide the opportunity to show some mathematical results of independent interest. In particular, we begin classifying the possible gauge theories on a D-brane or on a stack of D-branes using the intrinsic tool of long exact sequences. Afterwards, we recall how to construct two relevant models of differential twisted K-theory, paying particular attention to the dependenc…
We demonstrate that twisted equivariant differential K-theory of transverse complex curves accommodates exotic charges of the form expected of codimension=2 defect branes, such as of D7-branes in IIB/F-theory on A-type orbifold singularities, but also of their dual 3-brane defects of class-S theories on M5-branes. These branes have been argued, within F-theory and the AGT correspondence, to carry special SL(2)-monodromy charges not seen for other branes, but none of these had previously been identified in the expected brane charge quantization law given by K-theory. Here we observe that it is …
The actions, anomalies, and quantization conditions allow the M2-brane and the M5-brane to support, in a natural way, structures beyond Spin on their worldvolumes. The main examples are twisted String structures. This also extends to twisted String^c structures, which we introduce and relate to twisted String structures. The relation of the C-field to Chern-Simons theory suggests the use of the String cobordism category to describe the M2-brane.
Studying the M-branes leads us naturally to new structures that we call Membrane-, Membrane^c-, String^K(Z,3)- and Fivebrane^K(Z,4)-structures, which we show can also have twisted counterparts. We study some of their basic properties, highlight analogies with structures associated with lower levels of the Whitehead tower of the orthogonal group, and demonstrate the relations to M-branes.
In the quest for the mathematical formulation of M-theory, we consider three major open problems: a first-principles construction of the single (abelian) M5-brane Lagrangian density, the origin of the gauge field in heterotic M-theory, and the supersymmetric enhancement of exceptional M-geometry. By combining techniques from homotopy theory and from supergeometry to what we call super-exceptional geometry within super-homotopy theory, we present an elegant joint solution to all three problems. This leads to a unified description of the Nambu-Goto, Perry-Schwarz, and topological Yang-Mills Lagr…
A key open problem in M-theory is the mechanism of "gauge enhancement", which supposedly makes M-branes exhibit the nonabelian gauge degrees of freedom that are seen perturbatively in the limit of 10d string theory. In fact, since only the twisted K-theory classes represented by nonabelian Chan-Paton gauge fields on D-branes have invariant meaning, the problem is really the lift to M-theory of the twisted K-theory classification of D-brane charges. Here we show how this problem has a solution by universal constructions in super homotopy theory, at least rationally. We recall how double dimensi…
Studying the topological aspects of M-branes in M-theory leads to various structures related to Wu classes. First we interpret Wu classes themselves as twisted classes and then define twisted notions of Wu structures. These generalize many known structures, including Pin^- structures, twisted Spin structures in the sense of Distler-Freed-Moore, Wu-twisted differential cocycles appearing in the work of Belov-Moore, as well as ones introduced by the author, such as twisted Membrane and twisted String^c structures. In addition, we introduce Wu^c structures, which generalize Pin^c structures, as w…
The charges of D-branes in Kazama-Suzuki coset models are analyzed. We provide the calculation of the corresponding twisted equivariant K-theory, and in the case of Grassmannian cosets, su(n+1)/u(n), compare this to the charge lattices that are derived from boundary conformal field theory.
Quantum geometry of twisted Wess--Zumino--Witten branes is formulated in the framework of twisted Reflection Equation Algebras. It is demonstrated how the representation theory of these algebras leads to the correct classification and localisation of branes. A semiclassical formula for quantised brane positions is derived and shown to be consistent with earlier string-theoretic analyses.
We analyze the level-rank duality of omega_c-twisted D-branes of SU(N)_K (when N and K>2). When N or K is even, the duality map involves Z_2-cominimal equivalence classes of twisted D-branes. We prove the duality of the spectrum of an open string stretched between omega_c-twisted D-branes, and ascertain the relation between the charges of level-rank-dual omega_c-twisted D-branes.
Level-rank duality of untwisted and twisted D-branes of WZW models is explored. We derive the relation between D0-brane charges of level-rank dual untwisted D-branes of su(N)_K and sp(n)_k, and of level-rank dual twisted D-branes of su(2n+1)_2k+1. The analysis of level-rank duality of twisted D-branes of su(2n+1)_2k+1 is facilitated by their close relation to untwisted D-branes of sp(n)_k. We also demonstrate level-rank duality of the spectrum of an open string stretched between untwisted or twisted D-branes in each of these cases.
The charges of the twisted D-branes of certain WZW models are determined. The twisted D-branes are labelled by twisted representations of the affine algebra, and their charge is simply the ground state multiplicity of the twisted representation. It is shown that the resulting charge group is isomorphic to the charge group of the untwisted branes, as had been anticipated from a K-theory calculation. Our arguments rely on a number of non-trivial Lie theoretic identities.
On the Derivation of Twisted K-Theory from M-Theory
Mathematics Program and Center for Quantum and Topological Systems (CQTS), New York University Abu Dhabi, UAE(纽约大学阿布扎比分校数学项目与量子与拓扑系统中心);The Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, USA(纽约大学库朗数学科学研究所)
The charges of the twisted branes for strings on the group manifold SU(n)/Z_d are determined. To this end we derive explicit (and remarkably simple) formulae for the relevant NIM-rep coefficients. The charge groups of the twisted and untwisted branes are compared and found to agree for the cases we consider.
We analyze the level-rank duality of untwisted and epsilon-twisted D-branes of the so(N)_K WZW model. Untwisted D-branes of so(N)_K are characterized by integrable tensor and spinor representations of so(N)_K. Level-rank duality maps untwisted so(N)_K D-branes corresponding to (equivalence classes of) tensor representations onto those of so(K)_N. The epsilon-twisted D-branes of so(2n)_2k are characterized by (a subset of) integrable tensor and spinor representations of so(2n-1)_2k+1. Level-rank duality maps spinor epsilon-twisted so(2n)_2k D-branes onto those of so(2k)_2n. For both untwisted a…
We calculate vacuum energy for twisted SUSY D-brane on toroidal background with constant magnetic or constant electric field. Its behaviour for toroidal D-brane (p=2) in constant electric field shows the presence of stable minimum for twisted versions of the theory. That indicates such a background maybe reasonable groundstate.
D-branes are classified by twisted K-theory. Yet twisted K-theory is often hard to calculate. We argue that, in the case of a compactification on a simply-connected six manifold, twisted K-theory is isomorphic to a much simpler object, twisted homology. Unlike K-theory, homology can be twisted by a class of any degree and so it classifies not only D-branes but also M-branes. Twisted homology classes correspond to cycles in a certain bundle over spacetime, and branes may decay via Kachru-Pearson-Verlinde transitions only if this cycle is trivial. We provide a spectral sequence which calculates …
In this note we propose that D-brane charges, in the presence of a topologically non-trivial B-field, are classified by the K-theory of an infinite dimensional C^*-algebra. In the case of B-fields whose curvature is pure torsion our description is shown to coincide with that of Witten.
We study the wrapping of N type IIB Dp-branes on a compact Riemann surface $Σ$ in genus $g>1$ by means of the Sen-Witten construction, as a superposition of N' type IIB Dp'-brane/antibrane pairs, with $p'>p$. A background Neveu-Schwarz field B deforms the commutative $C^{\star}$-algebra of functions on $Σ$ to a noncommutative $C^{\star}$-algebra. Our construction provides an explicit example of the $N'\to\infty$ limit advocated by Bouwknegt-Mathai and Witten in order to deal with twisted K-theory. We provide the necessary elements to formulate M(atrix) theory on this new $C^{\star}$-algebra, b…
The charges of the exceptionally twisted (D4 with triality and E6 with charge conjugation) D-branes of WZW models are determined from the microscopic/CFT point of view. The branes are labeled by twisted representations of the affine algebra, and their charge is determined to be the ground state multiplicity of the twisted representation. It is explicitly shown using Lie theory that the charge groups of these twisted branes are the same as those of the untwisted ones, confirming the macroscopic K-theoretic calculation. A key ingredient in our proof is that, surprisingly, the G2 and F4 Weyl dime…
The charges of the twisted D-branes for the two exceptional cases (SO(8) with the triality automorphism and E_6 with charge conjugation) are determined. To this end the corresponding NIM-reps are expressed in terms of the fusion rules of the invariant subalgebras. As expected the charge groups are found to agree with those characterising the untwisted branes.
We show that rotating p-brane solutions admit an analytical continuation to become twisted Sp-branes. Although a rotating p-brane has a naked singularity for large angular momenta, the corresponding S-brane configuration is regular everywhere and exhibits a smooth bounce between two phases of Minkowski spacetime. If the foliating hyperbolic space of the transverse space is of even dimension, such as for the twisted SM5-brane, then for an appropriate choice of parameters the solution smoothly flows from a warped product of two-dimensional de Sitter spacetime, five-dimensional Euclidean space an…
In this work we propose new non-commutative gauge theories that describe the dynamics of branes localized along twisted conjugacy classes on group manifolds. Our proposal is based on a careful analysis of the exact microscopic solution and it generalizes the matrix models (`fuzzy gauge theories') that are used to study e.g. the bound state formation of point-like branes in a curved background. We also construct a large number of classical solutions and interpret them in terms of condensation processes on branes localized along twisted conjugacy classes.
M(atrix) theory compactified on an orbifold ${\bf T}_9/{\bf Z}_2$ is studied. Via zero-brane parton scattering we find that each of the $2^9 = 512$ orbifold fixed points carry $-1/32$ units of zero-brane charge. The anomalous flux is cancelled by introducing a twisted sector consisting of 32 zero-branes that are spacetime supersymmetry singlets. These twisted sector zero-branes are nothing but gravitational waves propagating along the M-theory direction. There is no D0-partons in the untwisted sector, a fact consistent with holographic principle. For low-energy excitations, the orbifold compac…
Witten has argued that charges of Type I D-branes in the presence of an H-flux, take values in twisted KO-theory. We begin with the study of real bundle gerbes and their holonomy. We then introduce the notion of real bundle gerbe KO-theory which we establish is a geometric realization of twisted KO-theory. We examine the relation with twisted K-theory, the Chern character and provide some examples. We conclude with some open problems.
We give a systematic account of symmetric D-branes in the Lie group SU(3). We determine both the classical and quantum moduli space of (twisted) conjugacy classes in terms of the (twisted) Stiefel diagram of the Lie group. We show that the allowed (twisted) conjugacy classes are in one-to-one correspondence with the integrable highest weight representations of the (twisted) affine Lie algebra. In particular, we show how the charges of these D-branes fit in the twisted K-theory groups.
Abelian gerbes and twisted bundles describe the topology of the NS-NS 3-form gauge field strength H. We review how they have been usefully applied to study and resolve global anomalies in open string theory. Abelian 2-gerbes and twisted nonabelian gerbes describe the topology of the 4-form field strength G of M-theory. We show that twisted nonabelian gerbes are relevant in the study and resolution of global anomalies of multiple coinciding M5-branes. Global anomalies for one M5-brane have been studied by Witten and by Diaconescu, Freed and Moore. The structure and the differential geometry of …
We review how core structures of string/M-theory emerge as higher structures in super homotopy theory; namely from systematic analysis of the brane bouquet of universal invariant higher central extensions growing out of the superpoint. Since super homotopy theory is immensely rich, to start with we consider this in the rational/infinitesimal approximation which ignores torsion-subgroups in brane charges and focuses on tangent spaces of super space-time. Already at this level, super homotopy theory discovers all super $p$-brane species, their intersection laws, their M/IIA-, T- and S-duality re…
We consider integrable field theories with achiral boundary conditions and uncover the underlying achiral twisted Yangian algebra. This construction arises from old work on the bosonic principal chiral model on a half-line, but finds a modern realization as the hidden symmetry in the planar limit of the scattering of worldsheet excitations of the AdS/CFT light-cone superstring off a D5-brane.
We consider the worldsheet boundary scattering and the corresponding boundary algebras for the Z=0 giant graviton and the Z=0 D7-brane in the AdS/CFT correspondence. We consider two approaches to the boundary scattering, the usual one governed by the (generalized) twisted Yangians and the q-deformed model of these boundaries governed by the quantum affine coideal subalgebras. We show that the q-deformed approach leads to boundary algebras that are of a more compact form than the corresponding twisted Yangians, and thus are favourable to use for explicit calculations. We obtain the q-deformed r…
We present the formulation of the bosonic Hamiltonian M2-brane compactified on a twice punctured torus following the procedure proposed in \cite{mpgm14}. In this work we analyse two possible metric choice, different from the one used in \cite{mpgm14}, over the target space and study some of the properties of the corresponding Hamiltonian.
We study the prototype of fractional D3 branes at non-isolated singularities in gauge/gravity duality at the nonperturbative level. We embed the quantum moduli space of N=2 SU(M) pure SYM, the gauge theory on fractional D3 branes at the A_1 singularity, into that of the cascading quiver gauge theory on regular and fractional D3 branes at the same singularity, for which a gravity dual description exists. We deduce a simple analytic expression for the exact twisted sector fields in the type IIB string dual, which encodes the full quantum dynamics of the gauge theory. Nonperturbative effects in t…
We construct twisted quantum bundles and adjoint sections on noncommutative $T^4$, and investigate relevant D-brane bound states with non-Abelian backgrounds. We also show that the noncommutative $T^4$ with non-Abelian backgrounds exhibits SO$(4,4|Z)$ duality and via this duality we get a Morita equivalent $T^4$ on which only D0-branes exist. For a reducible non-Abelian background, the moduli space of D-brane bound states in Type II string theory takes the form $\prod_a (T^4)^{q_a}/S_{q_a}$.
We consider supergravity compactifications on 6-dimensional twisted tori, which are 5-torus fibrations of the circle. The motion of branes on such manifolds can lead to power-law potentials at low energy, that may be useful for inflation. We classify the possible low energy potentials one can obtain by wrapping branes on different cycles of the fibre. Turning to the problem of moduli stabilization in such models, we prove a no-go result for solutions with parametrically small cosmological constant, under certain assumptions for the orientifolds and D-branes. We also consider the role of discre…
We investigate N=(2,2) supersymmetric nonlinear sigma-models in the presence of a boundary. We restrict our attention to the case where the bulk geometry is described by chiral and twisted chiral superfields corresponding to a bihermitian bulk geometry with two commuting complex structures. The D-brane configurations preserving an N=2 worldsheet supersymmetry are identified. Duality transformations interchanging chiral for twisted chiral fields and vice versa while preserving all supersymmetries are explicitly constructed. We illustrate our results with various explicit examples such as the WZ…
We consider locally consistent systems of magnetized D9 branes on an orbifolded six-torus which support N=1 gauge theories. In such realizations, the matter multiplets arise from "twisted" strings connecting different stacks of branes. The introduction of Euclidean 5 branes (E5) wrapped on the six-dimensional compact space leads to instanton effects. For instance, if the system is engineered so as to yield SQCD, a single E5 brane may account for the ADS/TVY superpotential. We discuss the subtle interplay that exists between the annuli diagrams with an E5 boundary and the holomorphicity propert…
It has been shown that given a classical background in string theory which is independent of $d$ of the space-time coordinates, we can generate other classical backgrounds by $O(d)\otimes O(d)$ transformation on the solution. We study the effect of this transformation on the known black $p$-brane solutions in string theory, and show how these transformations produce new classical solutions labelled by extra continuous parameters and containing background antisymmetric tensor field.