BPS states in M-theory and twistorial constituents

TL;DR

This work argues that any BPS state preserving k of the 32 supersymmetries is a composite of (32-k) BPS preons, and extends the M algebra to a generalized D = 11 conformal superalgebra osp(1/64) to relate the B PS preons with its fundamental representation, the D =11 supertwistors.

Abstract

We provide a complete algebraic description of BPS states in M-theory in terms of primary constituents that we call BPS preons. We argue that any BPS state preserving $k$ of the 32 supersymmetries is a composite of (32-k) BPS preons. In particular, the BPS states corresponding to the basic M2 and M5 branes are composed of 16 BPS preons. By extending the M-algebra to a generalized D=11 conformal superalgebra $osp(1|64)$ we relate the BPS preons with its fundamental representation, the D=11 supertwistors.