Does BFSS matrix theory recover eleven-dimensional Lorentz invariance?
In plain words
A quantum mechanics of N by N matrices is conjectured to equal M-theory when N becomes infinite. Whether it reproduces full eleven-dimensional relativity beyond protected calculations is unknown.
Precise statement
The BFSS model, $SU(N)$ maximally supersymmetric quantum mechanics, is conjectured to describe M-theory in light-cone frame as $N \to \infty$ with $p^+ = N/R$. Determine whether its amplitudes (graviton scattering) reproduce 11D Lorentz-invariant results beyond terms protected by supersymmetry, i.e. whether the large-N limit at fixed $p^+$ exists and is boost invariant.
What would settle it
A large-N computation of an unprotected scattering amplitude in BFSS compared with 11D supergravity or M-theory.
Status in the literature
Unverified note: it names recent work and was partly written without a live literature search; it awaits a check by an editor.
Agreement holds for supersymmetry-protected terms (1997-1998); work on soft theorems and scattering in BFSS (2023-2025) tests the large-N limit without a full answer.
Parent problems
- Special case of Background-independent definition of M-theory · open · from revision 1
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