SUPEREMBEDDINGS, NONLINEAR SUPERSYMMETRY AND 5-BRANES

We examine general properties of superembeddings, i.e. embeddings of s upermanifolds into supermanifolds. The connection between an embedding procedure and the method of nonlinearly realized supersymmetry is cla rified, and we demonstrate how the latter arises as a special case of the former. As an illustration, the super-5-brane in seven dimensions, containing a self-dual three-form world volume field strength, is for mulated in both languages, and provides an example of a model where th e embedding condition does not suffice to put the theory on-shell.