Non-perturbative tests of duality cascades in three dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories

M2-brane is an interesting object in M-theory and string theory. A three-dimensional ?=6 super conformal Chern Simons theory with gauge group U(?1)×?(?2), called ABJ theory, describes the low energy behavior of M2-brane On the one hand, it has been considered that when |?1−?2| is larger than the absolute value of Chern Simons level, the supersymmetry is broken. On the other hand, it was predicted that an interesting phenomenon called duality cascade occurs, and supersymmetry is not broken in some cases.

Motivated by this situation, we performed non-perturbative tests by focusing on the partitionfunction on ?3. The result strongly suggests that the duality cascade indeed occurs. We also proposed that the duality cascade occurs in theories with more general gauge groups and we performed non-perturbative tests in the same way. I will review and explain our physical prediction in the first half of my talk. In the second half of my talk , I will explain the non-perturbative tests . This part is mathematical because the partition function reduces to a matrix model by using the supersymmetric localization technique.