Three-dimensional CFTs and RG flow from squashing M2-brane horizon

Utilizing AdS/CFT correspondence in M-theory, an example of interacting d=3 conformal field theories and renormalization group flow between them is presented. Near-horizon geometry of N coincident M2-branes located on a conical singularity on eight-dimensional hyper-Kaehler manifold or manifold with Spin(7) holonomy is, in large-N limit, AdS4xX7, where X7 is seven-sphere with squashing. Deformation from round S7 to squashed one is known to lead to spontaneous breaking of N=8 local supersymmetry in gauged AdS4 supergravity to N=1,0. Via AdS/CFT correspondence, it is interpreted as renormalization group flow from SO(5)xSO(3) symmetric UV fixed point to SO(8) symmetric IR fixed point. Evidence for the interpretation is found both from the supergravity scalar potential and from the existence of interpolating static domain-wall thereof, and from the conformal dimensions of the relevant chiral primary operator at each fixed point