Exact two-dimensional superconformal R-symmetry and c-extremization

TL;DR

This paper introduces c-extremization, a principle for determining the exact R-symmetry in 2D N=(0,2) superconformal theories, and applies it to theories from twisted compactifications of 4D N=4 super-Yang-Mills, including their gravity duals.

Contribution

It presents the c-extremization principle for 2D superconformal R-symmetry and demonstrates its application to theories from twisted compactifications and their gravity duals.

Findings

c-extremization precisely determines R-symmetry in 2D N=(0,2) SCFTs

Constructed gravity duals for theories from twisted compactifications

Validated the principle through explicit examples

Abstract

We uncover a general principle, dubbed c-extremization, which determines the exact R-symmetry of a two-dimensional unitary superconformal field theory with N=(0,2) supersymmetry. To illustrate its utility, we study superconformal theories obtained by twisted compactifications of four-dimensional N=4 super-Yang-Mills on Riemann surfaces, and construct their gravity duals.