Related papers: An M-theory Flop as a Large N Duality
After a short introduction to Matrix theory, we explain how can one generalize matrix models to describe toroidal compactifications of M-theory and the heterotic vacua with 16 supercharges. This allows us, for the first time in history, to…
We find aspects of electrically confining large $N$ Yang-Mills theories on $T^2 \times R^{d-2}$ which are consistent with a $GL(2,Z)$ duality. The modular parameter associated with this $GL(2,Z)$ is given by ${m\over N} + i\Lambda^2 A$,…
We consider rotating strings and D2-branes on type IIA background, which arises as dimensional reduction of M-theory on manifold of G2 holonomy, dual to N=1 gauge theory in four dimensions. We obtain exact solutions and explicit expressions…
Type IIA brane configurations are used to construct N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories in two dimensions. Using localization of chiral multiplets in ten-dimensional spacetime, supersymmetric non-linear sigma models with target space such as…
We study the reduction of 11- dimensional M-theory to (3 +1) dimensions with four conserved supersymmetric charges by following the work of B. Acharya and E. Witten [arXiv:hep-th/0109152]. We first review the various 10D superstrings…
We construct two dimensional gauge theories with $N= (4,4)$ supersymmetry from branes of type IIA string theory. Quantum effects in the two dimensional gauge theory are analyzed by embedding the IIA brane construction into M-theory. We find…
I discuss the role of spacetime supersymmetry in the interplay between strong/weak coupling duality and target space duality in string theory which arises in string/string duality. This can be seen via the construction of string soliton…
The R^4 terms in the effective action for M-theory compactified on a two-torus are motivated by combining one-loop results in type II superstring theories with the Sl(2,Z) duality symmetry. The conjectured expression reproduces precisely…
In this thesis, we explore two approaches to string phenomenology. In the first half of the work, we investigate M-theory compactifications on spaces with co-dimension four, orbifold singularities. We construct M-theory on C^2/Z_N by…
Inspired by the low wave-length limit of topological M-theory, which re-constructs the theory of $3+1$D gravity in the self-dual variables' formulation, and by the realization that in Loop Quantum Gravity the holonomy of a flat connection…
It is argued that $M$-theory compactified on {\it any} of Joyce's $Spin(7)$ holonomy 8-manifolds are dual to compactifications of heterotic string theory on Joyce 7-manifolds of $G_2$ holonomy.
In a recent paper, Polchinski and Strassler found a string theory dual of a gauge theory with reduced supersymmetry. Motivated by their approach, we perturb the $\N=8$ theory living on a set of N M2 branes to $\N=2$, by adding fermion mass…
In six spacetime dimensions, the heterotic string is dual to a Type $IIA$ string. On further toroidal compactification to four spacetime dimensions, the heterotic string acquires an $SL(2,\BbbZ)_S$ strong/weak coupling duality and an…
We demonstrate that the spectrum of any consistent string theory in $D$ dimensions must satisfy a number of supertrace constraints: $ Str~M^{2n}=0 $ for $0 \leq n < D/2-1$, integer $n$. These results hold for a large class of string…
We propose an exotic geometric M-theory dual for the weak coupling Type 0A string: compactification on a sub-Planckian $S^1\vee S^1$ (two circles connected at a point), where strong quantum effects lead to fields living on distinct…
One of the general strategies for realizing a wide class of interacting QFTs is via junctions and intersections of higher-dimensional bulk theories. In the context of string/M-theory, this includes many $D > 4$ superconformal field theories…
We propose a large N dual of 4d, N=1 supersymmetric, SU(N) Yang-Mills with adjoint field \Phi and arbitrary superpotential W(\Phi). The field theory is geometrically engineered via D-branes partially wrapped over certain cycles of a…
In this paper we study aspects of geometries in Type IIA and Type IIB String theory and elaborate on their field theory dual pairs. The backgrounds are associated with reductions to Type IIA of solutions with $G_2$ holonomy in eleven…
We study type IIA string theories on the pp-waves with 24 supercharges. The type IIA pp-wave backgrounds are derived from the maximally supersymmetric pp-wave solution in eleven dimensions through the toroidal compactification on the…
We review the recently proposed string theory in two dimensional black hole background. Especially, the structure of the duality in the target space is discussed. The duality is analogous to \lq\lq $R \rightarrow 1/R$" symmetry of a…