On M5-branes in N=6 Membrane Action

TL;DR

This work investigates M5-branes within the ${\cal N}=6$ ABJM action for a ${U(N)\times U(N)}$ gauge theory. It derives Basu-Harvey–type BPS equations from ${\cal N}=6$ supersymmetry and constructs matrix solutions of the form $Y^a = \sqrt{\frac{k}{4\pi x^2}}\,S^a$, interpreted as $N$ M2-branes ending on an M5-brane. It also analyzes M5–M2 bound states via the equations of motion, revealing that infinite $N$ is required to realize such bound states and that flux degrees of freedom arise from eight independent components of a composite tensor $\alpha$. The results illuminate how M5-brane physics can be embedded in ABJM and point to extensions to orbifold theories and dualities for deeper understanding of flux-bound states in M-theory.

Abstract

In this note we study M5-branes in the multiple membrane action which is recently proposed by Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena. We write down the N=6 supersymmetry transformation of the action and obtain 1/2 BPS equations and their solutions. They are expected to represent membranes ending on a M5-brane. We also consider the M5-M2 bound state in the action.