Gauge enhancement of super M-branes via parametrized stable homotopy theory (Q2326895)

Gauge enhancement on D-branes is of paramount importance for string theory. Hence if M-theory exists, the lift of the non-abelian Chan-Paton gauge field degrees of freedom on coincident D-branes to the M-theory should be understood. In the paper under review the authors consider two ``rational'' versions of this problem which read (1) ``What is the origin of the RR-flux forms \(F_8\) and \(F_{10}\) in M-theory, such that these unify with the double dimensional reduction of the M-flux (\(G_4\), \(G_7\)) to an untruncated cocycle in rational twisted K-theory, i.e., in twisted de~Rham cohomology?'' (2) ``Which universal construction in rational super homotopy theory enhances the cyclification of the M2/M5-cocycle from 6-truncated to un-truncated rational twisted K-theory?'' In order to provide answers to these questions, the authors discuss two universal constructions in homotopy theory which when applied to the A-type orbispace of the 4-sphere reveal the mechanism of gauge enhancement on M-branes. The authors review parametrized stable homotopy theory and recall an algebraic model for its rationalization. The main results are Theorem 2.19, establishing differential-graded modules as rational models for parametrized spectra, and Proposition 2.21 characterizing the fiberwise stabilization adjunction in terms of these models. Furthermore the authors show that forming cyclic loop spaces is one part of a homotopy-theoretic adjunction, and they characterize the unit of the adjunction in Theorem 2.44. The authors study a particular circle action on the 4-sphere, as well as the induced homotopy quotient, which they call the A-type orbispace of the 4-sphere. Theorem 3.19 shows that, rationally, there is a copy of twisted K-theory in the fiberwise stabilization of the A-type orbispace, fibered over the 3-sphere. This theorem provides a mechanism implementing gauge enhancement of fundamental M-branes giving a solution to the open problem rational version (1). The authors also consider rational super homotopy theory to explain the gauge enhancement of super M-branes from first principles. They recall how super spacetimes and super p-branes propagating in them are incarnated as super cocycles in super homotopy theory. Then they explain how Theorem 3.19 implements gauge enhancement of fundamental M-branes under double dimensional reduction to type IIA D-branes in the rational approximation presenting a solution to the open problem rational version (2).