BFSS–M-theory duality in the infinite momentum frame

Establish that the Banks–Fischler–Shenker–Susskind (BFSS) matrix quantum mechanics is dual to eleven-dimensional M-theory in the infinite momentum frame, thereby confirming that BFSS provides a non-perturbative definition of M-theory.

Background

The BFSS matrix model is a maximally supersymmetric U(N) quantum mechanical gauge theory featuring nine bosonic matrices and sixteen fermionic superpartners. It has long been proposed as a non-perturbative formulation of M-theory by identifying BFSS with M-theory in the infinite momentum frame (IMF).

In this paper, BFSS compactifications are used to derive effective mass terms and construct black hole solutions from a fuzzy sphere background with fermionic excitations accounting for entropy. The broader significance of the duality is that, if established, BFSS would furnish a complete non-perturbative definition of M-theory, directly tying matrix-theory constructions like those developed here to eleven-dimensional quantum gravity.

References

It has been conjectured to be dual to M-theory in the Infinite Momentum Frame and, as such, it provides a non-perturbative definition of M-Theory, which makes it a very interesting candidate for a theory of quantum gravity.

— Fuzzy Black Holes from Mass Generation in Matrix Compactification  (2511.10430 - Laurenzano et al., 13 Nov 2025) in Section 4 (Compactification of BFSS theory), opening paragraph