Strong Coupling Dynamics of Branes from M-theory

Abstract

We study some aspects of the strong coupling dynamics of Dirichlet six branes, anti- six branes, and orientifold planes by using the equivalence of type IIA string theory and M-theory on S^1. In the strong coupling limit there exists static configuration of brane and anti-brane at arbitrary separation, suspended in an external magnetic field. The mass of the open string stretched between the brane and the anti-brane approaches a finite positive value even when the branes coincide. Similar result is obtained for a Dirichlet six brane on top of an orientifold six plane. We also derive the anomalous gravitational interaction on the brane and the orientifold plane from M-theory.

LaTeX file, 15 pages, section on brane-antibrane interaction revised with some of the results reinterpreted, new references added