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Topological M-theory as Unification of Form Theories of Gravity

Robbert Dijkgraaf·Sergei Gukov·Andrew Neitzke·Cumrun Vafa
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Abstract

We introduce a notion of topological M-theory and argue that it provides a unification of form theories of gravity in various dimensions. Its classical solutions involve G_2 holonomy metrics on 7-manifolds, obtained from a topological action for a 3-form gauge field introduced by Hitchin. We show that by reductions of this 7-dimensional theory one can classically obtain 6-dimensional topological A and B models, the self-dual sector of loop quantum gravity in 4 dimensions, and Chern-Simons gravity in 3 dimensions. We also find that the 7-dimensional M-theory perspective sheds some light on the fact that the topological string partition function is a wavefunction, as well as on S-duality between the A and B models. The degrees of freedom of the A and B models appear as conjugate variables in the 7-dimensional theory. Finally, from the topological M-theory perspective we find hints of an intriguing holographic link between non-supersymmetric Yang-Mills in 4 dimensions and A model topological strings on twistor space.

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Robbert Dijkgraaf, Sergei Gukov, Andrew Neitzke, Cumrun Vafa. 2005-04-12. Topological M-theory as Unification of Form Theories of Gravity. https://arxiv.org/abs/hep-th/0411073

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