# nLab ABJM theory

### Context

#### $\infty$-Chern-Simons theory

∞-Chern-Weil theory

∞-Chern-Simons theory

∞-Wess-Zumino-Witten theory

# Contents

## Idea

The ABJM model (ABJM 08) is 3-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 6$ supersymmetric Chern-Simons theory with gauge group SU(N) and coupled to matter fields. For Chern-Simons level $k$ it is supposed to describe the worldvolume theory of $N$ coincident black M2-branes at an $\mathbb{Z}/k$-cyclic group orbifold singularity with near-horizon geometry $AdS_4 \times S^7/(\mathbb{Z}/k)$ (see at M2-branes – As a black brane).

For $k = 2$ the supersymmetry of the ABJM model increases to $\mathcal{N} = 8$. For $k = 2$ and $N = 2$ the ABJM model reduces to the BLG model (ABJM 08, section 2.6).

Due to the matter coupling, the ABJM model is no longer a topological field theory as pure Chern-Simons is, but it is still a conformal field theory. As such it is thought to correspond under AdS-CFT duality to M-theory on AdS4 $\times$ S7/$\mathbb{Z}/k$ (see also MFFGME 09).

Notice that the worldvolume $SU(N)$ gauge group enhancement at an $\mathbb{Z}_k$-ADE singularity is akin to the gauge symmetry enhancement of the effective field theory for M-theory on G2-manifolds at the same kind of singularities (see at M-theory on G2-manifolds – Nonabelian gauge groups).

## Properties

Under holographic duality supposed to be related to M-theory on $AdS_4 \times S^7 / \mathbb{Z}_k$.

Table of branes appearing in supergravity/string theory (for classification see at brane scan).

branein supergravitycharged under gauge fieldhas worldvolume theory
black branesupergravityhigher gauge fieldSCFT
D-branetype IIRR-fieldsuper Yang-Mills theory
$(D = 2n)$type IIA$\,$$\,$
D0-brane$\,$$\,$BFSS matrix model
D2-brane$\,$$\,$$\,$
D4-brane$\,$$\,$D=5 super Yang-Mills theory with Khovanov homology observables
D6-brane$\,$$\,$D=7 super Yang-Mills theory
D8-brane$\,$$\,$
$(D = 2n+1)$type IIB$\,$$\,$
D(-1)-brane$\,$$\,$$\,$
D1-brane$\,$$\,$2d CFT with BH entropy
D3-brane$\,$$\,$N=4 D=4 super Yang-Mills theory
D5-brane$\,$$\,$$\,$
D7-brane$\,$$\,$$\,$
D9-brane$\,$$\,$$\,$
(p,q)-string$\,$$\,$$\,$
(D25-brane)(bosonic string theory)
NS-branetype I, II, heteroticcircle n-connection$\,$
string$\,$B2-field2d SCFT
NS5-brane$\,$B6-fieldlittle string theory
D-brane for topological string$\,$
A-brane$\,$
B-brane$\,$
M-brane11D SuGra/M-theorycircle n-connection$\,$
M2-brane$\,$C3-fieldABJM theory, BLG model
M5-brane$\,$C6-field6d (2,0)-superconformal QFT
M9-brane/O9-planeheterotic string theory
M-wave
topological M2-branetopological M-theoryC3-field on G2-manifold
topological M5-brane$\,$C6-field on G2-manifold
solitons on M5-brane6d (2,0)-superconformal QFT
self-dual stringself-dual B-field
3-brane in 6d

## References

The original article is

Discussion of extension to boundary field theory (describing M2-branes ending on M5-branes) includes

A kind of double dimensional reduction of the ABJM model to something related to type II superstrings and D1-branes is discussed in

Discussion of the ABJM model in Horava-Witten theory and reducing to heterotic strings is in

Discussion of the model as a higher gauge theory (due to its coupling to the supergravity C-field) is in

Classification of the possible superpotentials? via representation theory is due to

and derived from this a classification of the possble orbifolding is in