2009/04/30 by David S Berman, David S. Berman, Daniel C. Thompson +1 · 78 citations
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Action (physics) #Algebraic structures and combinatorial models #Black Holes and Theoretical Physics #Boundary (topology) #Boundary value problem #Brane #Geometry #Mathematical analysis #Mathematical physics #Mathematics #Membrane #Noncommutative and Quantum Gravity Theories #Physics #Quantum mechanics #Scalar (mathematics) #Supersymmetry #Theoretical physics #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2009.06.004
published in Nuclear Physics B 820(1-2), 503-533 (Elsevier BV) · 48 pages, Latex, v2 references added
arxiv created 2009/05/07 · openalex publication_date 2009/06/09 · arxiv updated 2010/12/17 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We investigate the recently developed theory of multiple membranes. In particular, we consider open membranes, i.e. the theory defined on a membrane world volume with a boundary. We first restrict our attention to the gauge sector of the theory. We obtain a boundary action from the Chern-Simons terms. Secondly, we consider the addition of certain boundary terms to various Chern-Simons theories coupled to matter. These terms ensure the full bulk plus boundary action has the correct amount of supersymmetry. For the ABJM model, this construction motivates the inclusion of a boundary quartic scalar potential. The boundary dynamics obtained from our modified theory produce Basu-Harvey type equations describing membranes ending on a fivebrane. The ultimate goal of this work is to throw light on the theory of fivebranes using the theory of open membranes.