M2 to D2

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.

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

References in corpus (3)

• Gauge Symmetry and Supersymmetry of Multiple M2-Branes
• Modeling Multiple M2's
• M-theory branes and their interactions

Cited by in corpus (32)

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• Generation of Matrix Models by W-operators
• Multiple M2-branes and Generalized 3-Lie algebras
• Mass-Deformed Bagger-Lambert Theory and its BPS Objects
• Towards M2-brane Theories for Generic Toric Singularities
• Scattering in Mass-Deformed N>=4 Chern-Simons Models
• The fuzzy S^2 structure of M2-M5 systems in ABJM membrane theories
• An N=1 Superfield Action for M2 branes
• N=8 superconformal gauge theories and M2 branes
• Janus field theories from multiple M2 branes
• From N M2's to N D2's
• Scaling limit of N=6 superconformal Chern-Simons theories and Lorentzian Bagger-Lambert theories
• On 3d N=8 Lorentzian BLG theory as a scaling limit of 3d superconformal N=6 ABJM theory
• The Power of the Higgs Mechanism: Higher-Derivative BLG Theories
• Lorentzian Lie (3-)algebra and toroidal compactification of M/string theory
• Multiple D2-Brane Action from M2-Branes
• Vortex-type Half-BPS Solitons in ABJM Theory
• Metric 3-Lie algebras for unitary Bagger-Lambert theories
• A note on Quantum Aspects of Multiple Membranes
• Topological Chern-Simons Sigma Model
• D2 to M2 Procedure for D2-Brane DBI Effective Action
• N=6 Membrane Worldvolume Superalgebra
• On non-linear action of multiple M2-branes
• M2-brane Flows and the Chern-Simons Level
• Aspects of U-duality in BLG models with Lorentzian metric 3-algebras
• Toward a Proof of Montonen-Olive Duality via Multiple M2-branes
• Supersymmetric Wilson Loops in Diverse Dimensions
• Remark About Scaling Limit of ABJ Theory
• More on the scalar-tensor B-F theory
• Membrane scattering from Bagger-Lambert theory
• 3d CFT and Multi M2-brane Theory on RxS^2