Related papers: Geometric Transition, Large N Dualities and MQCD D…
The observable universe could be a 1+3-surface (the "brane") embedded in a 1+3+\textit{d}-dimensional spacetime (the "bulk"), with Standard Model particles and fields trapped on the brane while gravity is free to access the bulk. At least…
The modern approach to $m$-form global symmetries in a $d$-dimensional quantum field theory (QFT) entails specifying dimension $d-m-1$ topological generalized symmetry operators which non-trivially link with $m$-dimensional defect…
Two-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(0,4)$ supersymmetric quiver gauge theories are realized as D3-brane box configurations (two dimensional intervals) which are bounded by NS5-branes and intersect with D5-branes. The periodic brane configuration…
We engineer a large new set of four-dimensional N=1 superconformal field theories by wrapping M5-branes on complex curves. We present new supersymmetric AdS_5 M-theory backgrounds which describe these fixed points at large N, and then…
We review extensions of the AdS/CFT correspondence to gauge/ gravity dualities with N=1 supersymmetry. In particular, we describe the gauge/gravity dualities that emerge from placing D3-branes at the apex of the conifold. We consider first…
We present a new construction of four dimensional $\mathcal N=3$ theories, given by M5 branes wrapping a $T^2$ in an M-theory U-fold background. The resulting setup generalizes the one used in the usual class $\mathcal S$ construction of…
We use the non-normalizable complex deformations to describe the stringy realizations of the metastable vacua in N = 1, SU(N_c) SUSY theories with N_f > N_c massive fundamental flavors. The consideration of the non-normalizable deformations…
For five-dimensional braneworlds with an $S_1/\mathbb{Z}_2$ orbifold topology for the extra dimension $x^5$, we discuss the validity of recent claims that a gauge exists where the two boundary branes lie at fixed positions and the metric…
We show how to cast an interacting system of M--branes into manifestly gauge-invariant form using an arrangement of higher-dimensional Dirac surfaces. Classical M--theory has a cohomologically nontrivial and noncommutative set of gauge…
We consider D1-branes in a RR flux background and show that there is a low energy - large flux double scaling limit where the D1-branes action is dominated by a Chern-Simons-Myers coupling term. As a classical solution to the matrix model,…
Five-brane distributions with no strong coupling problems and high symmetry are studied. The simplest configuration corresponds to a spherical shell of branes with S^3 geometry and symmetry. The equations of motions with delta-function…
We construct several new G(2) holonomy metrics that play an important role in recent studies of geometrical transitions in compactifications of M-theory to four dimensions. In type IIA string theory these metrics correspond to D6 branes…
We review in a pedagogical manner some of the efforts aiming to extend the gauge/gravity correspondence to non-conformal supersymmetric gauge theories in four dimensions. After giving a general overview, we discuss in detail two specific…
We calculate the first supersymmetric and kappa-symmetric derivative deformation of the M5-brane worldvolume theory in a flat eleven-dimensional background. By applying cohomological techniques we obtain a deformation of the standard…
We construct cosmological solutions of four-dimensional effective heterotic M-theory with a moving five-brane and evolving dilaton and T modulus. It is shown that the five-brane generates a transition between two asymptotic rolling-radii…
We present a survey of the calibrated geometries arising in the study of the local singularity structure of supersymmetric fivebranes in M-theory. We pay particular attention to the geometries of 4-planes in eight dimensions, for which we…
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…
We discuss how N=1 dualities in four dimensions are geometrically realized by wrapping D-branes about 3-cycles of Calabi-Yau threefolds. In this setup the N=1 dualities for SU, SO and USp gauge groups with fundamental fields get mapped to…
We use large N duality to study brane/anti-brane configurations on a class of Calabi-Yau manifolds. With only branes present, the Calabi-Yau manifolds in question give rise to N=2 ADE quiver theories deformed by superpotential terms. We…
We consider static, axisymmetric, thick brane solutions on higher dimensional, spherically symmetric black hole backgrounds. It was found recently [1], that in cases when the thick brane has more than 2 spacelike dimensions, perturbative…