p-branes of type II string theory and d = 11 supergravity can have boundaries on other p-branes. The rules for when this can and cannot occur are derived from charge conservation. For example it is found that membranes in d = 11 supergravity and IIA string theory can have boundaries on fivebranes. The boundary dynamics are governed by the self-dual d = 6 string. A collection of N parallel fivebranes contains 12N(N–1) self-dual strings which become tensionless as the fivebranes approach one another." - Meaning and context.">
(1996), "Open p-branes", Physics Letters B 383 no: 1, pages: 44–47, DOI:
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It is shown that many of the p-branes of type II string theory and d = 11 supergravity can have boundaries on other p-branes. The rules for when this can and cannot occur are derived from charge conservation. For example it is found that membranes in d = 11 supergravity and IIA string theory can have boundaries on fivebranes. The boundary dynamics are governed by the self-dual d = 6 string. A collection of N parallel fivebranes contains 12N(N–1) self-dual strings which become tensionless as the fivebranes approach one another.

— Andrew Strominger

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "It is shown that many of the p-branes of type II string theory and d = 11 supergravity can have boundaries on other p-branes. The rules for when this can and cannot occur are derived from charge conservation. For example it is found that membranes in d = 11 supergravity and IIA string theory can have boundaries on fivebranes. The boundary dynamics are governed by the self-dual d = 6 string. A collection of N parallel fivebranes contains 12N(N–1) self-dual strings which become tensionless as the fivebranes approach one another." in the context of "(1996), "Open p-branes", Physics Letters B 383 no: 1, pages: 44–47, DOI:

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Andrew Strominger

About Andrew Strominger

Andrew Eben Strominger (born July 30, 1955) is an American theoretical physicist, known for his research on quantum gravity and string theory. He has been awarded the Physics Frontiers Breakthrough Prize (2012), the Klein Medal (2014), Dirac Medal (2014), and the Dannie Heineman Prize for Mathematical Physics (2016).