Three-algebras, triple systems and 3-graded Lie superalgebras

Abstract

The three-algebras used by Bagger and Lambert in N=6 theories of ABJM type are in one-to-one correspondence with a certain type of Lie superalgebras. We show that the description of three-algebras as generalized Jordan triple systems naturally leads to this correspondence. Furthermore, we show that simple three-algebras correspond to simple Lie superalgebras, and vice versa. This gives a classification of simple three-algebras from the well known classification of simple Lie superalgebras.