Composite p-branes in various dimensions

Abstract

We review an algebraic method of finding the composite p-brane solutions for a generic Lagrangian, in arbitrary spacetime dimension, describing an interaction of a graviton, a dilaton and one or two antisymmetric tensors. We set the Fock--De Donder harmonic gauge for the metric and the "no-force" condition for the matter fields. Then equations for the antisymmetric field are reduced to the Laplace equation and the equation of motion for the dilaton and the Einstein equations for the metric are reduced to an algebraic equation. Solutions composed of n constituent p-branes with n independent harmonic functions are given. The form of the solutions demonstrates the harmonic functions superposition rule in diverse dimensions. Relations with known solutions in D=10 and D=11 dimensions are discussed.