Quantum corrections to N=2 Chern-Simons theories with flavor and their AdS4 duals

TL;DR

This paper explores how adding fundamental flavors to N=2 Chern-Simons-matter theories affects their dual AdS4 backgrounds, analyzing quantum corrections and moduli space structure in the context of M2 branes and string theory.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of quantum corrections and moduli space structure in flavored N=2 Chern-Simons theories and their AdS4 duals, including both chiral and non-chiral flavors.

Findings

Quantum corrections influence monopole operator charges.

The moduli space is determined by 1-loop contributions.

The theories remain conformally invariant after adding flavors.

Abstract

We add fundamental flavors to N=2 Chern-Simons-matter theories living on M2 branes probing a Calabi-Yau four-fold singularity. This is dual, in the 't Hooft limit described by IIA string theory, to the introduction of supersymmetric D6 branes wrapping AdS4 and a 3-cycle of the internal manifold. The resulting Chern-Simons theories remain conformally invariant, corresponding to the fact that the D6 branes lift to pure geometry in M-theory. The determination of the moduli space relies crucially on the 1-loop contributions to charges and OPE's of monopole operators in these field theories. The general picture is determined for non-chiral and chiral flavors, and is illustrated in several examples.