Another Conjecture about M(atrix) Theory

Abstract

The current understanding of M(atrix) theory is that in the large N limit certain supersymmetric Yang Mills theories become equivalent to M-theory in the infinite momentum frame. In this paper the conjecture is put forward that the equivalence between M and M(atrix) theory is not limited to the large N limit but is valid for finite N. It is argued that a light cone description of M-theory exists in which one of the light like coordinates is periodically identified. In the light cone literature this is called Discrete Light Cone Quantization (DLCQ). In this framework an exact light cone description exists for each quantized value N of longitudinal momentum. The new conjecture states that the sector of the DLCQ of M-theory is exactly described by a U(N) matrix theory. Evidence is presented for the conjecture.