Related papers: Surface Defects from Fractional Branes -- I
We construct d<=7 dimensional maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories on a class of curved backgrounds with off-shell supercharges. The off-shell supersymmetry is mainly a generalization of on-shell supersymmetry constructed previously…
We consider Yang-Mills theory with a compact structure group $G$ on a Lorentzian 4-manifold $M={\mathbb R}\times\Sigma$ such that gauge transformations become identity on a submanifold $S$ of $\Sigma$ (framing over $S\subset\Sigma$). The…
We perform a systematic analysis of the D-brane charges associated with string theory realizations of d=3 gauge theories, focusing on the examples of the N=4 supersymmetric U(N)xU(N+M) Yang-Mills theory and the N=3 supersymmetric…
Witten has recently proposed a string theory in twistor space whose D-instanton contributions are conjectured to compute N=4 super-Yang-Mills scattering amplitudes. An alternative string theory in twistor space was then proposed whose open…
Conifold geometries have recieved a lot of attention in string theory and string-inspired cosmology recently, in particular the Klebanov-Strassler background that is known as the "warped throat". It is our intention in this article to give…
A generalization of the Maldacena conjecture asserts that Type IIB string theory on $\S^5/\Z_3$ is equivalent to a certain supersymmetric $SU(N)^3$ gauge theory with bifundamental matter. To test this assertion, we analyze the wrapped…
We undertake a detailed study of the gaugings of two-dimensional Yang-Mills theory by its intrinsic charge conjugation 0-form and centre 1-form global symmetries, elucidating their higher algebraic and geometric structures, as well as the…
We study 6d E-string theory with defects on a circle. Our basic strategy is to apply the geometric transition to the supersymmetric gauge theories. First, we calculate the partition functions of the 5d SU(3)$_0$ gauge theory with 10…
The classical and quantum worldsheet theory describing nonrelativistic open string theory in an arbitrary nonrelativistic open and closed string background is constructed. We show that the low energy dynamics of open strings ending on n…
Duality transformations involving compactifications on timelike as well as spacelike circles link M-theory, the 10+1-dimensional strong coupling limit of IIA string theory, to other 11-dimensional theories in signatures 9+2 and 6+5 and to…
Worldsheet techniques can be used to argue for the integrability of string theory on AdS_5xS^5/Z_S, which is dual to the strongly coupled Z_S-orbifold of N=4 SYM. We analyze the integrability of these field theories in the perturbative…
In this thesis, we report on results in non-anticommutative field theory and twistor string theory, trying to be self-contained. We first review the construction of non-anticommutative N=4 super Yang-Mills theory and discuss a…
We study deformation of N=2 and N=4 super Yang-Mills theories, which are obtained as the low-energy effective theories on the (fractional) D3-branes in the presence of constant Ramond-Ramond 3-form background. We calculate the Lagrangian at…
We find the gravity dual of a marginal deformation of ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang Mills, and discuss some of its properties. This deformation is intimately connected with an $SL(2,R)$ symmetry of the gravity theory. The $SL(2,R)$ transformation…
We perform non-abelian T-duality for a generic Green-Schwarz string with respect to an isometry (super)group G, and we derive the transformation rules for the supergravity background fields. Specializing to G bosonic, or G fermionic but…
We study D-branes on three-dimensional orbifold backgrounds that admit topologically distinct resolutions differing by flop transitions. We show that these distinct phases are part of the vacuum moduli space of the super Yang-Mills gauge…
We discuss the fate of the Z2 symmetry and the vacuum structure in an SU(N)xSU(N) gauge theory with one bifundamental Dirac fermion. This theory can be obtained from SU(2N) supersymmetric Yang--Mills (SYM) theory by virtue of Z2…
We consider an open string version of the topological twist previously proposed for sigma-models with G2 target spaces. We determine the cohomology of open strings states and relate these to geometric deformations of calibrated submanifolds…
We study orbifolds of two-dimensional topological field theories using defects. If the TFT arises as the twist of a superconformal field theory, we recover results on the Neveu-Schwarz and Ramond sectors of the orbifold theory as well as…
We review properties of lower-dimension vacuum defects observed in lattice simulations of SU(2) Yang-Mills theories. One- and two-dimensional defects are associated with ultraviolet divergent action. The action is the same divergent as in…