Gauge theories with tensors from branes and orientifolds

Abstract

We present brane constructions in Type IIA string theory for N = 1 supersymmetric SO and Sp gauge theories with tensor representations using an orientifold 6-plane. One limit of these set-ups corresponds to N = 2 theories previously constructed by Landsteiner and Lopez, while a different limit yields N = 1 SO or Sp theories with a massless tensor and no superpotential. For the Sp-type orientifold projection comparison with the field theory moduli space leads us to postulate two new rules governing the stability of configurations of D-branes intersecting the orientifold. Lifting one of our configurations to M-theory by finding the corresponding curves, we re-derive the N = 1 dualities for SO and Sp groups using semi-infinite D4 branes.

An exact relation for orientifold field theories with arbitrary superpotential

“…[26,27,28]. The above result clearly reflects the presence of an orientifold plane in the brane picture: the branes are located on both sides of the orientifold at the following positions:…”

Marginal deformations from branes

“…For certain specific orientations of the NS5 branes with respect to the O6 planes, additional massless degrees of freedom appear. For example, as described in the last section, if an NS5 brane and its image are parallel to the O6 ± plane, and there are no other NS5 branes between them, then an additional antisymmetric (symmetric) tensor appears for the corresponding USp (SO) gauge group, associated with movement of the D4 branes in the x 7 , x 8 direction [23]. The additional tensor does not contribute to the U(1) R anomaly because by gauge anomaly freedom the fermion in the tensor chiral multiplet has vanishing R-charge.…”

Duality for SU × SO and SU × Sp via branes

“…When θ 1 = 0 we have an additional massless chiral field in the adjoint representation, φ A . When θ 1 = π/2 the B fivebrane and its dual are also parallel and we get additional massless matter, transforming this time in the symmetric representation of SO(N), φ S [9]. The bifundamental field couples to both φ A and φ S , which for arbitrary θ 1 are massive.…”