The M-Theory S-Matrix From ABJM: Beyond 11D Supergravity

TL;DR

This paper derives the M-theory four-graviton S-matrix from ABJM theory by analyzing the flat spacetime limit of Mellin amplitudes, explicitly reproducing the known $R^4$ correction in eleven-dimensional supergravity.

Contribution

It provides a novel method to extract M-theory scattering amplitudes directly from 3D CFT data, extending the connection between AdS/CFT and M-theory beyond supergravity.

Findings

Successfully reproduces the $R^4$ term in M-theory scattering amplitude.

Establishes a concrete link between ABJM correlators and M-theory S-matrix.

Demonstrates the utility of Mellin amplitudes in flat space limit calculations.

Abstract

We show that by studying the flat spacetime limit of the Mellin amplitude associated with the four-point correlation function of scalar operators in the stress tensor multiplet of ABJM theory, one can produce the momentum expansion of the M-theory four-graviton S-matrix elements. Using CFT data previously obtained from the supersymmetric localization method, we carry out this procedure explicitly to the second nontrivial order in the momentum expansion, and recover precisely the known $R^4$ contribution to the scattering amplitude of super-gravitons in M-theory in eleven dimensions.