M-Theory and Hypercharge

We discuss the possibility that the electro-weak and strong interactions arise as the low energy effective description of branes in M-theory. As a step towards constructing such a model we show how one can naturally obtain SU(N_1)\times SU(N_2)\times U(1) gauge theories from branes, including matter in the bi-fundamental representation of SU(N_1)\times SU(N_2) which are fractionally charged under U(1).Comment: 29 pages Phyzzx. Two figure

N=2 Superfields and the M-Fivebrane

In this paper we provide a manifestly N=2 supersymmetric formulation of the M-fivebrane in the presence of threebrane solitons. The superspace form of four-dimensional effective equations for the threebranes are readily obtained and yield the complete Seiberg-Witten equations of motion for N=2 super-Yang-Mills. A particularly simple derivation is given by introducing an N=2 superfield generalisation of the Seiberg-Witten differential.Comment: 14 pages phyzzx. Added paragraph on the existence of a six-dimensional action. To appear in Phys. Lett.

Generalised BPS conditions

We write down two E11 invariant conditions which at low levels reproduce the known half BPS conditions for type II theories. These new conditions contain, in addition to the familiar central charges, an infinite number of further charges which are required in an underlying theory of strings and branes. We comment on the application of this work to higher derivative string corrections

A New Massive Type IIA Supergravity From Compactification

We consider the most general form for eleven dimensional supersymmetry compatible with on-shell superfields. This allows for the introduction of a conformal Spin(1,10) connection. In eleven dimensional Minkowski space this modification is trivial and can be removed by a field redefinition, however, upon compactification on S^1 it is possible to introduce a non-trivial `Wilson line'. The resulting ten dimensional supergravity has massive 1-form and 3-form potentials and a cosmological constant. This theory does not possess a supersymmetric eightbrane soliton but it does admit a supersymmetric non-static cosmological solution.Comment: 13 pages, phyzzx. The introduction is clarifed and a reference adde

The Threebrane Soliton of the M-Fivebrane

We discuss the supersymmetry algebra of the M theory fivebrane and obtain a new threebrane soliton preserving half of the six-dimensional supersymmetry. This solution is dimensionally reduced to various D-p-branes.Comment: 10 pages, phyzz

E11 and Spheric Vacuum Solutions of Eleven- and Ten dimensional Supergravity Theories

In view of the newly conjectured Kac-Moody symmetries of supergravity theories placed in eleven and ten dimensions, the relation between these symmetry groups and possible compactifications are examined. In particular, we identify the relevant group cosets that parametrise the vacuum solutions of AdS x S type.Comment: discussion improve