We study the inner product of Bethe states in the inhomogeneous periodic XXX spin-1/2 chain of length L, which is given by the Slavnov determinant formula. We show that the inner product of an on-shell M-magnon state with a generic M-magnon state is
given by the same expression as the inner product of a 2M-magnon state with a vacuum descendent. The second inner product is proportional to the partition function of the six-vertex model on a rectangular Lx2M grid, with partial domain-wall boundary conditions.
Motivated by application to multiple M5 branes, we study some properties of non-Abelian two-form gauge theories. We note that the fake curvature condition which is commonly used in the literature would restrict the dynamics to be either a free theory
or a topological system. We then propose a modification of transformation law which simplifies the gauge transformation of 3-form field strength and enables us to write down a gauge invariant action. We then argue that a generalization of Stueckelberg mechanism naturally gives mass to the two-form gauge field. For the application to multiple M5-branes, it should be identified with the KK modes.
We give some evidences which imply that W(1+infinity) algebra describes the symmetry behind AGT(-W) conjecture: a correspondence between the partition function of N=2 supersymmetric quiver gauge theories and the correlators of Liouville (Toda) field theory.
Motivated by the recent proposal of an N=8 supersymmetric action for multiple M2-branes, we study the Lie 3-algebra in detail. In particular, we focus on the fundamental identity and the relation with Nambu-Poisson bracket. Some new algebras not know
n in the literature are found. Next we consider cubic matrix representations of Lie 3-algebras. We show how to obtain higher dimensional representations by tensor products for a generic 3-algebra. A criterion of reducibility is presented. We also discuss the application of Lie 3-algebra to the membrane physics, including the Basu-Harvey equation and the Bagger-Lambert model.
