English

M2 to D2

High Energy Physics - Theory 2009-04-02 v2

Abstract

We examine the recently proposed "3-algebra" field theory for multiple M2-branes and show that when a scalar field valued in the 3-algebra develops a vacuum expectation value, the resulting Higgs mechanism has the novel effect of promoting topological (Chern-Simons) to dynamical (Yang-Mills) gauge fields. This leads to a precise derivation of the maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on multiple D2-branes and thereby provides a relationship between 3-algebras and Yang-Mills theories. We discuss the physical interpretation of this result.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0803.3218,
  title  = {M2 to D2},
  author = {Sunil Mukhi and Constantinos Papageorgakis},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0803.3218},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

1+16 pages, LaTeX; v2: calculation unchanged, interpretation expanded and moved to last section, references added

R2 v1 2026-06-21T10:23:35.470Z