Brane Configurations Research Articles

Surface operators from M -strings

It has been found that surface operators have a significant role in AGT relation. This duality is an outstanding consequence of M-theory, but it is actually encoded into the brane web for which the topological string can work. From this viewpoint, the surface defect in AGT relation is geometrically engineered as a toric brane realization. Also, there is a class of the brane configuration in M-theory called M-strings which can be translated into the language of the topological string. In this work, we propose a new M-string configuration which can realize AGT relation in the presence of the surface defect by utilizing the geometric transition in the refined topological string.

There and back again: a T-brane’s tale

T-branes are supersymmetric configurations described by multiple Dp-branes with worldvolume flux and non-commuting vacuum expectation values for two of the worldvolume scalars. When these values are much larger than the string scale this description breaks down. We show that in this regime the correct description of T-branes is in terms of a single Dp-brane, whose worldvolume curvature encodes the T-brane data. We present the tale of the journey to reach this picture, which takes us through T-dualities and rugby-ball-shaped brane configurations that no eye has gazed upon before.

Branes and the Kraft-Procesi transition

The Coulomb and Higgs branches of certain 3d N=4 gauge theories can be understood as closures of nilpotent orbits. Recently, a new theorem by Namikawa suggests that this is the simplest possible case, thus giving this class a special role. In this note we use branes to reproduce the mathematical work by Kraft and Procesi. It studies the classification of all nilpotent orbits for classical groups and it characterizes an inclusion relation via minimal singularities. We show how these minimal singularities arise naturally in the Type IIB superstring embedding of the 3d A-type theories. The Higgs mechanism can be used to remove the minimal singularity, corresponding to a transition in the brane configuration that induces a new effective 3d theory. This reproduces the Kraft-Procesi results, endowing the family of gauge theories with a new underlying structure. We provide an efficient procedure for computing such brane transitions.

Spectra of certain holographic ABJM Wilson loops in higher rank representations

The holographic configurations dual to Wilson loops in higher rank representations in the ABJM theory are described by branes with electric flux along their world volumes. In particular, D2 and D6 branes with electric flux play a central role as potential dual to totally symmetric and totally antisymmetric representations, respectively. We compute the spectra of excitations of these brane configurations in both, the bosonic and fermionic sectors. We highlight a number of aspects that distinguish these configurations from their D3 and D5 cousins including new peculiar mixing terms in the fluctuations. We neatly organize the spectrum of fluctuations into the corresponding supermultiplets.

More on 5d descriptions of 6d SCFTs

We propose new five-dimensional gauge theory descriptions of six-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = (1,0) superconformal field theories arising from type IIA brane configurations includ-ing an ON 0-plane. The new five-dimensional gauge theories may have SO, Sp, and SU gauge groups and further broaden the landscape of ultraviolet complete five-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 1 supersymmetric gauge theories. When we include an O8−-plane in addition to an ON 0-plane, T-duality yields two O7−-planes at the intersections of an ON 0-plane and two O50-planes. We propose a novel resolution of the O7−-plane with four D7-branes in such a configuration, which enables us to obtain three different types of five-dimensional gauge theories, depending on whether we resolve either none or one or two O7−-planes. Such different possibilities yield a new five-dimensional duality between a D-type SU quiver and an SO − Sp quiver theories. We also claim that a twisted circle compactification of a six-dimensional superconformal field theory may lead to a five-dimensional gauge theory different from those obtained through a simple circle compactification.

Higher Spins from Nambu–Chern–Simons Theory

We propose a new theory of higher spin gravity in three spacetime dimensions. This is defined by what we will call a Nambu-Chern-Simons (NCS) action; this is to a Nambu 3-algebra as an ordinary Chern-Simons (CS) action is to a Lie (2-)algebra. The novelty is that the gauge group of this theory is simple; this stands in contrast to previously understood interacting 3D higher spin theories in the frame-like formalism. We also consider the $N=8$ supersymmetric NCS-matter model (BLG theory), where the NCS action originated: Its fully supersymmetric M2 brane configurations are interpreted as Hopf fibrations, the homotopy type of the (infinite) gauge group is calculated and its instantons are classified.

The enhancement of supersymmetry in M-strings

We study two M5-branes on [Formula: see text] ALE space. We introduce some M2-branes suspended between the M5-branes. Then, the boundaries of M2-branes look like strings. We call them “M-strings.” The M-strings have [Formula: see text] supersymmetry by considering the brane configuration on [Formula: see text] ALE space. We calculate the partition function of M-strings by using the refined topological vertex formalism. We find that the supersymmetry of M-strings gets enhanced to [Formula: see text] by tuning some Kähler parameters. Furthermore, we discuss another possibility of the enhancement of supersymmetry which is different from the above one.

Brane brick models and 2d (0, 2) triality

We provide a brane realization of 2d (0,2) Gadde-Gukov-Putrov triality in terms of brane brick models. These are Type IIA brane configurations that are T-dual to D1-branes over singular toric Calabi-Yau 4-folds. Triality translates into a local transformation of brane brick models, whose simplest representative is a cube move. We present explicit examples and construct their triality networks. We also argue that the classical mesonic moduli space of brane brick model theories, which corresponds to the probed Calabi-Yau 4-fold, is invariant under triality. Finally, we discuss triality in terms of phase boundaries, which play a central role in connecting Calabi-Yau 4-folds to brane brick models.

Holographic cosmology from a system of M2–M5 branes

In this paper, we analyze the holographic cosmology using a M2–M5 brane configuration. In this configuration, a M2-brane will be placed in between a M5-brane and an anti-M5-brane. The M2-brane will act as a channel for energy to flow from an anti-M5-brane to a M5-brane, and this will increase the degrees of freedom on the M5-brane causing inflation. The inflation will end when the M5-brane and anti-M5-brane get separated. However, at a later stage the distance between the M5-brane and the anti-M5-bran can reduce and this will cause the formation of tachyonic states. These tachyonic states will again open a bridge between the M5-branes and the anti-M5-branes, which will cause further acceleration of the universe.

Brane brick models, toric Calabi-Yau 4-folds and 2d (0,2) quivers

We introduce brane brick models, a novel type of Type IIA brane configurations consisting of D4-branes ending on an NS5-brane. Brane brick models are T-dual to D1-branes over singular toric Calabi-Yau 4-folds. They fully encode the infinite class of 2d (generically) $$ \mathcal{N}=\left(0,2\right) $$ gauge theories on the worldvolume of the D1-branes and streamline their connection to the probed geometries. For this purpose, we also introduce new combinatorial procedures for deriving the Calabi-Yau associated to a given gauge theory and vice versa.

Intersecting branes, SUSY breaking and the 2 TeV excess at the LHC

Intersecting D-brane models in string theory can naturally support the gauge and matter content of left-right symmetric extensions of the Standard Model with gauge symmetry SU(3)_c x SU(2)_L x SU(2)_R x U(1)_{B-L}. Considering such models as candidates for explaining the 2TeV excesses seen in Run-1 by both ATLAS and CMS, the minimal possible scale of supersymmetry breaking is determined by the requirement of precise one-loop gauge coupling unification. For the vector-like, bifundamental and (anti-)symmetric Higgs content of such brane configurations, this comes out fairly universally at around 19TeV. For the SU(2)_R gauge coupling one finds values 0.48<g_R(M_R)<0.6. Threshold corrections can potentially lower the scale of supersymmetry breaking.

Matter Localization on Brane-Worlds Generated by Deformed Defects

Localization and mass spectrum of bosonic and fermionic matter fields of some novel families of asymmetric thick brane configurations generated by deformed defects are investigated. The localization profiles of spin 0, spin 1/2, and spin 1 bulk fields are identified for novel matter field potentials supported by thick branes with internal structures. The condition for localization is constrained by the brane thickness of each model such that thickest branes strongly induce matter localization. The bulk mass terms for both fermion and boson fields are included in the global action as to produce some imprints on mass-independent potentials of the Kaluza-Klein modes associated with the corresponding Schrödinger equations. In particular, for spin 1/2 fermions, a complete analytical profile of localization is obtained for the four classes of superpotentials here discussed. Regarding the localization of fermion fields, our overall conclusion indicates that thick branes produce aleft-right asymmetric chirallocalization of spin 1/2 particles.

Supersymmetric D3/D7 for holographic flavors on curved space

We derive a new class of supersymmetric D3/D7 brane configurations, which allow to holographically describe N=4 SYM coupled to massive N=2 flavor degrees of freedom on spaces of constant curvature. We systematically solve the $\kappa$-symmetry condition for D7-brane embeddings into AdS$_4$-sliced AdS$_5\times$S$^5$, and find supersymmetric embeddings in a simple closed form. Up to a critical mass, these embeddings come in surprisingly diverse families, and we present a first study of their (holographic) phenomenology. We carry out the holographic renormalization, compute the one-point functions and attempt a field-theoretic interpretation of the different families. To complete the catalog of supersymmetric D3/D7 configurations, we construct analogous embeddings for flavored N=4 SYM on S$^4$ and dS$_4$.

Chiral low-energy physics from squashed branes in deformed N = 4 $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ SYM

We discuss the low-energy physics which arises on stacks of squashed brane solutions of SU(N ) $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ SYM, deformed by a cubic soft SUSY breaking potential. A brane configuration is found which leads to a low-energy physics similar to the standard model in the broken phase, assuming suitable VEV’s of the scalar zero modes. Due to the triple self-intersection of the branes, the matter content includes that of the MSSM with precisely 3 generations and right-handed neutrinos. No exotic quantum numbers arise, however there are extra chiral superfields with the quantum numbers of the Higgs doublets, the W, Z, e R and u R , whose fate depends on the details of the rich Higgs sector. The chiral low-energy sector is complemented by a heavy mirror sector with the opposite chiralities, as well as super-massive Kaluza-Klein towers completing the $$ \mathcal{N}=4 $$ multiplets. The sectors are protected by two gauged global U(1) symmetries.

Codimension-2 solutions in five-dimensional supergravity

We study a new class of supersymmetric solutions in five-dimensional supergravity representing multi-center configurations of codimension-2 branes along arbitrary curves. Codimension-2 branes are produced in generic situations out of ordinary branes of higher codimension by the supertube effect and, when they are exotic branes, spacetime generally becomes non-geometric. The solutions are characterized by a set of harmonic functions on $\mathbb{R}^3$ with non-trivial monodromies around codimension-2 branch-point singularities. The solutions can be regarded as generalizations of the Bates-Denef/Bena-Warner multi-center solutions with codimension-3 centers to include codimension-2 ones. We present some explicit examples of solutions with codimension-2 centers, and discuss their relevance for the black microstate (non-)geometry program.

2d (0,2) quiver gauge theories and D-branes

We initiate a systematic study of 2d (0, 2) quiver gauge theories on the world-volume of D1-branes probing singular toric Calabi-Yau 4-folds. We present an algorithm for efficiently calculating the classical mesonic moduli spaces of these theories, which correspond to the probed geometries. We also introduce a systematic procedure for constructing the gauge theories for arbitrary toric singularities by means of partial resolution, which translates to higgsing in the field theory. Finally, we introduce Brane Brick Models, a novel class of brane configurations that consist of D4-branes suspended from an NS5-brane wrapping a holomorphic surface, tessellating a 3-torus. Brane Brick Models are the 2d analogues of Brane Tilings and allow a direct connection between geometry and gauge theory.

Geometric constructions of two-dimensional (0,2) SUSY theories

We consider the field theories on multiple stacks of D5 branes wrapped on four cycles of resolved/deformed conifold geometries fibered over a two torus. The central charges of the D5 branes are slightly misaligned when the branes are wrapped on various rigid holomorphic two cycles or when they have different charges with respect to a magnetic flux turned on the two torus. The wrapped D5 branes preserve (0,2) supersymmetry in two dimensions if the Kahler moduli and the magnetic flux are related. Our geometries are T-dual to the brane configurations considered by Kutasov-Lin and we provide a geometric interpretation for their equality between the field theory D-terms and the magnetic fluxes. We also consider the geometric transitions for rigid holomorphic two cycles fibered over a two torus with magnetic flux and discuss the partial breaking of supersymmetry after the geometric transitions.

Gravitational correction to fuzzy string in metastable brane configuration

We study dynamics of a cosmic string in a metastable brane configuration in Type IIA string theory. We first discuss a decay process of the cosmic string via a fuzzy brane (equivalently bubble/string bound state) by neglecting gravitational corrections in ten-dimension. We find that depending on the strength of the magnetic field induced on the bubble, the decay rate can be either larger or smaller than that of O(4) symmetric bubble. Then, we investigate gravitational corrections to the fuzzy brane by using the extremal black N S-five brane solution, which makes the lifetime of the metastable state longer.

Yukawa hierarchies at the point of E8 in F-theory

We analyse the structure of Yukawa couplings in local SU(5) F-theory models with $E_8$ enhancement. In this setting the $E_8$ symmetry is broken down to SU(5) by a 7-brane configuration described by T-branes, all the Yukawa couplings are generated in the vicinity of a point and only one family of quarks and leptons is massive at tree-level. The other two families obtain their masses when non-perturbative effects are taken into account, being hierarchically lighter than the third family. However, and contrary to previous results, we find that this hierarchy of fermion masses is not always appropriate to reproduce measured data. We find instead that different T-brane configurations breaking $E_8$ to SU(5) give rise to distinct hierarchical patterns for the holomorphic Yukawa couplings. Only some of these patterns allow to fit the observed fermion masses with reasonable local model parameter values, adding further constraints to the construction of F-theory GUTs. We consider an $E_8$ model where such appropriate hierarchy is realised and compute its physical Yukawas, showing that realistic charged fermions masses can indeed be obtained in this case.

Probing the hydrodynamic limit of (super)gravity

We study the long-wavelength effective description of two general classes of charged dilatonic (asymptotically flat) black p-branes including D/NS/M-branes in ten and eleven dimensional supergravity. In particular, we consider gravitational brane solutions in a hydrodynamic derivative expansion (to first order) for arbitrary dilaton coupling and for general brane and co-dimension and determine their effective electro-fluid-dynamic descriptions by exacting the characterizing transport coefficients. We also investigate the stability properties of the corresponding hydrodynamic systems by analyzing their response to small long-wavelength perturbations. For branes carrying unsmeared charge, we find that in a certain regime of parameter space there exists a branch of stable charged configurations. This is in accordance with the expectation that D/NS/M-branes have stable configurations, except for the D5, D6, and NS5. In contrast, we find that Maxwell charged brane configurations are Gregory-Laflamme unstable independently of the charge and, in particular, verify that smeared configurations of D0-branes are unstable. Finally, we provide a modification to the mapping presented in arxiv:1211.2815 and utilize it to provide a non-trivial cross-check on a certain subset of our transport coefficients with the results of arXiv:1110.2320.