2012/03/31 by Jonathan Bagger, Neil Lambert, Sunil Mukhi +1 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #hep-th
paper · pdf · doi:10.1016/j.physrep.2013.01.006
180 pages, 3 figures, Latex; v2: various typos corrected, clarifications, references and acknowledgements added, title modified, submitted to Physics Reports
arxiv created 2012/07/14 · arxiv updated 2015/06/04
We review developments in the theory of multiple, parallel membranes in M-theory. After discussing the inherent difficulties pertaining to a maximally supersymmetric lagrangian formulation with the appropriate field content and symmetries, we discuss how introducing the concept of 3-algebras allows for such a description. Different choices of 3-algebras lead to distinct classes of 2+1 dimensional theories with varying degrees of supersymmetry. We then describe how these are equivalent to a type of conventional superconformal Chern-Simons gauge theories at level k, coupled to bifundamental matter. Analysing the physical properties of these theories leads to the identification of a certain subclass of models with configurations of M2-branes in Zk orbifolds of M-theory. In addition these models give rise to a whole new sector of the gauge/gravity duality in the form of an AdS4/CFT3 correspondence. We also discuss mass deformations, higher derivative corrections as well as the possibility of extracting information about M5-brane physics.