Related papers: A Large N Duality via a Geometric Transition
In these lectures we discuss various aspects of gauge theories with extended $N=2$ and $N=4$ supersymmetry that are at the basis of recently found exact results. These results include the exact calculation of the low energy effective action…
We study N=1 dualities in four dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories as the worldvolume theory of D4 branes with one compact direction in type IIA string theory. We generalize the previous work for SO(N_{c1}) x Sp(N_{c2}) with the…
It is shown that classical nonsupersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in 4 dimensions is symmetric under a generalized dual transform which reduces to the usual dual *-operation for electromagnetism. The parallel phase transport $\tilde{A}_\mu(x)$…
We show that there are two different dualities of two dimensional gauge theories with N=(2,2) supersymmetry. One is basically a consequence of 3d mirror symmetry. The non-linear sigma model with Calabi-Yau target space on the Higgs branch…
Recent studies (arXiv:1610.07916, arXiv:1711.07921, arXiv:1807.00186) of six-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories that are engineered by a class of toric Calabi-Yau threefolds $X_{N,M}$, have uncovered a vast web of dualities. In this…
The geometric features and toric descriptions of two different 8-dimensional $Spin(7)$ manifolds constructed via distinct resolutions of the cone over an $SU(3)/U(1)$ base, reveals that the geometry of the $Spin(7)$ conifold transition…
We study the supergravity dual of four-dimensional ${\mathcal{N}=1}$ superconformal field theories arising from wrapping M5-branes on a K\"ahler two-cycle inside a Calabi-Yau threefold. We derive an effective three-dimensional theory living…
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…
In type IIB string theory, we consider fractional D3-branes in the orbifold background dual to four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. We find the gravitational dual description of the generation of a non-trivial field theory…
By applying mirror symmetry to D-branes in a Calabi-Yau geometry we shed light on a $G_2$ flop in M-theory relevant for large $N$ dualities in ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theories. Furthermore, we derive superpotential for M-theory on…
We discuss non-abelian $SU(N_c)$ gauge theory coupled to an adjoint chiral superfield $X$, and a number of fundamental chiral superfields $Q^i$. Using duality, we show that turning on a superpotential $W(X)=\Tr\sum_{l=1}^k g_l X^{l+1}$…
The focus of these lectures is the Gopakumar-Vafa's insight that ``Large N dualities'' (relating gauge theories and closed strings) are realized, in certain cases, by "transition in geometry". In their pivotal 1998 example, the gauge theory…
N=2 supersymmetric Yang--Mills theories coupled to matter are considered in the Wess--Zumino gauge. The supersymmetries are realized nonlinearly and the anticommutator between two susy charges gives, in addition to translations, gauge…
This article contains an overview of some recent attempts at understanding supergravity and string duals of four dimensional gauge theories using the AdS/CFT correspondence. We discuss the general philosophy underlying the various ways to…
General string-theoretic considerations suggest that four-dimensional large-N gauge theories should have dual descriptions in terms of two-dimensional conformal field theories. However, for non-supersymmetric confining theories such as pure…
We study theories with sixteen supercharges and a discrete energy spectrum. One class of theories has symmetry group $SU(2|4)$. They arise as truncations of ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang Mills. They include the plane wave matrix model, 2+1 super…
We study N=1 four dimensional gauge theories as the world volume theory of D4-branes between NS 5-branes. We find constructions for a number of known field theory dualities involving $SU(N_c)\times SU(N_c')$ groups, coupled by matter fields…
I explain two applications of the relationship between four dimensional N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories, zero dimensional gauged matrix models, and geometric transitions in string theory. The first is related to the spectrum of BPS domain…
In these lectures we present a detailed description of various aspects of gauge theories with extended N=2 and N=4 supersymmetry that are at the basis of recently found exact results. These results include the exact calculation of the low…
An explicit solution in super Yang-Mills theory, which after T-duality describes two sets of D4-branes at angles, is constructed. The gauge configuration possesses 3/16 unbroken supersymmetry for the equal magnitudes of field strengths, and…