Comments on the Bagger-Lambert theory and multiple M2-branes
Abstract
We study the SO(8) superconformal theory proposed recently by Bagger and Lambert as a possible worldvolume theory for multiple M2-branes. For their explicit example with gauge group SO(4), we rewrite the theory (originally formulated in terms of a three-algebra) as an ordinary SU(2) \times SU(2) gauge theory with bifundamental matter. In this description, the parity invariance of the theory, required for a proper description of M2-branes, is clarified. We describe the subspace of scalar field configurations on which the potential vanishes, and note that this does not coincide with the moduli space for a stack of M2-branes. Finally, we point out a difficulty in constructing the required set of superconformal primary operators which should be present in the correct theory describing multiple M2-branes.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0803.3803,
title = {Comments on the Bagger-Lambert theory and multiple M2-branes},
author = {Mark Van Raamsdonk},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0803.3803},
year = {2008}
}
Comments
9 pages, LaTeX; v2: references and comments about Chern-Simons level added, v3: typo corrected, comments on moduli space clarified