BPS-spectra in four dimensions from M-theory

Abstract

I review my work together with Piljin Yi on the spectrum of BPS-saturated states in N = 2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories. In an M-theory description, such states are realized as certain two-brane configurations. We first show how the central charge of the N = 2 algebra arises from the two-form central charge of the eleven-dimensional supersymmetry algebra, and derive the condition for a two-brane configuration to be BPS-saturated. We then discuss how the topology of the two-brane determines the type of BPS-multiplet. Finally, we discuss the phenomenon of marginal stability and show how it is related to the mutual non-locality of states.