SUSY Enhancements in (0,4) Deformations of AdS_3/CFT_2

TL;DR

This paper explores a specific deformation of string theory on AdS_3 x S^3 x T^4, revealing conditions under which supersymmetry is partially broken or restored, with implications for dual conformal field theories.

Contribution

It constructs the asymptotic symmetry algebra for a warped AdS_3 background and demonstrates supersymmetry restoration at discrete deformation parameters from multiple perspectives.

Findings

Supersymmetry is broken to N=(0,4) by the deformation.

Supersymmetry is restored to N=(4,4) at specific deformation values.

The asymptotic symmetry algebra is explicitly constructed from worldsheet operators.

Abstract

We discuss a marginal deformation of the SL(2,R) x SU(2) x U(1)^4 WZW model, which describes string theory on AdS_3 x S^3 x T^4, that corresponds to warping the S^3 factor. This deformation breaks part of the N=(4,4) supersymmetry of the undeformed dual CFT to N=(0,4) supersymmetry. In the spirit of work by Giveon, Kutasov, and Seiberg, we construct the asymptotic spacetime symmetry algebra from worldsheet operators and find a restoration of (4,4) supersymmetry at discrete values of the deformation parameter. We explain this result from various perspectives: the worldsheet, supergravity, and from the singular D1-D5 CFT. The supergravity analysis includes an asymptotic symmetry computation of the level of the affine SU(2) R-symmetry, which arises purely from B-field contributions.