Chern-kernels and anomaly cancellation in M-theory

Abstract

This paper deals with magnetic equations of the type dH= J where the current J is a δ-function on a brane worldvolume and H a p-form field strength. In many situations in M-theory this equation needs to be solved for H in terms of a potential. A standard universality class of solutions, involving Dirac-branes, gives rise to strong intermediate singularities in H which in many physically relevant cases lead to inconsistencies. In this paper we present an alternative universality class of solutions for magnetic equations in terms of Chern-kernels, and provide relevant applications, among which the anomaly-free effective action for open M2-branes ending on M5-branes. The unobservability of the Dirac-brane requires a Dirac quantization condition; we show that the requirement of “unobservability” of the Chern-kernel leads in M-theory to classical gravitational anomalies which cancel precisely their quantum counterparts.