Null Branes in String Theory Backgrounds

We consider null bosonic p-branes moving in curved space-times and develop a method for solving their equations of motion and constraints, which is suitable for string theory backgrounds. As an application, we give an exact solution for such background in ten dimensions.Comment: 11 pages, LaTeX. Final version, to appear in Phys. Rev.

Probing Non-Toric Geometry with Rotating Membranes

Recently Martelli and Sparks presented the first non-toric AdS_4/CFT_3 duality relation between M-theory on AdS_4 x V_{5,2}/Z_k and a class of three-dimensional N=2 quiver Chern-Simons-matter theories. V_{5,2} is a seven-dimensional homogeneneous Sasaki-Einstein manifold with isometry group SO(5)xU(1)_R, which is in general broken to SU(2)xU(1)xU(1)_R by the orbifold projection if k>1. The dual field theory is described by the A_1 quiver, U(N)_k x U(N)_{-k} gauge group, four bifundamentals, two adjoint chiral multiplets interacting via a cubic superpotential. We explore this proposal by studying various classical membrane solutions moving in V_{5,2}. Rotating membrane solutions of folded, wrapped, spike, and giant magnon types are presented with their dispersion relations. We also discuss their dual operators in the Chern-Simons-matter theory.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure

M2-brane Solutions in AdS_7xS^4

We consider different M2-brane configurations in the M-theory AdS_7xS^4 background, with field theory dual A_{N-1}(2,0) SCFT. New membrane solutions are found and compared with the recently obtained ones.Comment: LaTeX, 18 pages, no figures; V2: cosmetic changes to match the version published in JHE