Why Matrix Theory is Hard

TL;DR

This paper tests the finite N matrix theory conjecture on an ALE space using Sen and Seiberg's prescription, revealing discrepancies with supergravity predictions and discussing potential resolutions.

Contribution

It applies a recent matrix theory construction to a new background and identifies a sharper discrepancy, exploring subtleties in light-front quantization.

Findings

Discrepancy between matrix theory and supergravity predictions

Identification of subtleties in light-front quantization

Potential avenues for resolving the discrepancy

Abstract

Recently Sen and Seiberg gave a prescription for constructing the matrix theory in any superstring background. We use their prescription to test the finite N matrix theory conjecture on an ALE space. Based on our earlier work with Shenker, we find a sharper discrepancy between matrix theory computation and supergravity prediction. We discuss subtleties in the light-front quantization which may lead to a resolution to the discrepancy.