A Relation Between N=8 Gauge Theories in Three Dimensions

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that certain three-dimensional N=8 gauge theories with different gauge groups converge to the same fixed point at strong coupling, linking string theory configurations to M-theory backgrounds.

Contribution

It establishes a duality between $Sp(N)$ and $SO(2N+1)$ gauge theories in three dimensions and connects orientifold planes to M-theory backgrounds at strong coupling.

Findings

Both gauge theories flow to the same fixed point.

Orientifold two-planes are described by the same M-theory background.

Large N analysis confirms the duality via supergravity.

Abstract

We show that three-dimensional N=8 $Sp(N)$ and $SO(2N+1)$ gauge theories flow to the same strong coupling fixed point. As a consequence, the corresponding orientifold two-planes in type IIA string theory are described at strong coupling and low-energies by the same M theory background. In the large $N$ limit, these assertions are confirmed by studying discrete torsion in the supergravity theory corresponding to membranes on $R^8/Z_2$.