Born-Infeld actions from Matrix theory Original Research Article

We propose a formula for the effective action of Matrix theory which successfully reproduces a large class of Born-Infeld type D-brane probe actions. The formula is motivated by demanding consistency with known results, and is tested by comparing with a wide range of source-probe calculations in supergravity. In the case of D0-brane sources and Dp-bra probes, we study the effect of boosts, rotations, and world-volume electric fields on the probe, and find agreement with supergravity to all orders in the gravitational coupling. We also consider D4-brane sources at the one-loop level and recover the correct probe actions for a D0-brane, and for a D4-brane rotated at an angle with respect to the source.