In
theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics that employs mathematical models and abstractions of physical objects and systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena. This is in contrast to experimental physics, which uses experim ...
, an M5-brane is a
brane
In string theory and related theories such as supergravity theories, a brane is a physical object that generalizes the notion of a point particle to higher dimensions. Branes are dynamical objects which can propagate through spacetime accordin ...
which carries
magnetic charge
In particle physics, a magnetic monopole is a hypothetical elementary particle that is an isolated magnet with only one magnetic pole (a north pole without a south pole or vice versa). A magnetic monopole would have a net north or south "magneti ...
, and the dual under
electric-magnetic duality is the
M2-brane. M5-brane is analogous to the
NS5-brane
In theoretical physics, the NS5-brane is a five-dimensional p-brane that carries a magnetic charge under the B-field
A magnetic field is a vector field that describes the magnetic influence on moving electric charges, electric currents, a ...
in
string theory. In addition, it is a
soliton
In mathematics and physics, a soliton or solitary wave is a self-reinforcing wave packet that maintains its shape while it propagates at a constant velocity. Solitons are caused by a cancellation of nonlinear and dispersive effects in the medi ...
solution to M-theory.
References
* https://ncatlab.org/nlab/show/M5-brane
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String theory