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M-brane models from non-abelian gerbes

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Abstract

We make the observation that M-brane models defined in terms of 3-algebras can be interpreted as higher gauge theories involving Lie 2-groups. Such gauge theories arise in particular in the description of non-abelian gerbes. This observation allows us to put M2- and M5-brane models on equal footing, at least as far as the gauge structure is concerned. Furthermore, it provides a useful framework for various generalizations; in particular, it leads to a fully supersymmetric generalization of a previously proposed set of tensor multiplet equations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics and Maxwell Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Colin Maclaurin Building, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, U.K.

    Sam Palmer & Christian Sämann

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  1. Sam Palmer
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  2. Christian Sämann
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Correspondence to Christian Sämann.

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Palmer, S., Sämann, C. M-brane models from non-abelian gerbes. J. High Energ. Phys. 2012, 10 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2012)010

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