Higher Derivative Corrections in Holographic QCD

TL;DR

This paper investigates how higher derivative R^4 corrections in type IIA string theory affect the holographic dual of QCD, specifically analyzing meson mass corrections due to these stringy effects.

Contribution

It provides the first estimate of higher derivative corrections to meson masses in holographic QCD beyond the supergravity approximation.

Findings

Masses of lightest vector mesons increase due to corrections.

Corrections are suppressed by (g_{YM}^2 N_c)^{-3}.

Higher derivative effects are significant for precise holographic QCD predictions.

Abstract

We consider the effect of the R^4 term in type IIA string theory on the supergravity background dual to N_c D4 branes compactified on a circle with supersymmetry breaking boundary conditions. We study the dynamics of D8 branes in this perturbed geometry in the probe approximation. This leads to an analysis of higher derivative corrections in holographic QCD beyond the supergravity approximation. We make a rough estimate of the corrections to the masses of some of the lightest (axial) vector mesons. The corrections are suppressed by a factor of (g_{YM}^2 N_c)^{-3} compared to their supergravity values. We find that the masses of these mesons increase from their supergravity values.