5D super Yang-Mills theory and the correspondence to AdS$_7$/CFT$_6$

TL;DR

This paper explores the connection between 5D super Yang-Mills theory and 6D (2,0) superconformal theory, using localization techniques to compute free energy and Wilson loops, and matching results with supergravity predictions.

Contribution

It clarifies the localization of 5D SYM with matter on S^5, introduces a mass rotation prescription, and demonstrates agreement with supergravity for the 6D theory.

Findings

Localization is consistent with earlier flat space results.

Wilson loop calculations match supergravity predictions.

The free energy agrees with supergravity when using the appropriate mass and radius.

Abstract

We study the relation between 5D super Yang-Mills theory and the holographic description of 6D (2,0) superconformal theory. We start by clarifying some issues related to the localization of N=1 SYM with matter on $S^5$. We concentrate on the case of a single adjoint hypermultiplet with a mass term and argue that the theory has a symmetry enlargement at mass M=1/(2r), where r is the $S^5$ radius. However, in order to have a well-defined localization locus it is necessary to rotate M onto the imaginary axis, breaking the enlarged symmetry. Based on our prescription, the imaginary mass values are physical and we show how the localized path integral is consistent with earlier results for 5D SYM in flat space. We then compute the free energy and the expectation value for a circular Wilson loop in the large N limit. The Wilson loop calculation shows a mass dependent constant rescaling between weak and strong coupling. The Wilson loop continued back to to the enlarged symmetry point is consistent with a supergravity computation for an M2 brane using the standard identification of the compactification radius and the 5D coupling. If we continue back to the physical regime and use this value of the mass to determine the compactification radius, then we find agreement between the SYM free energy and the corresponding supergravity calculation. We also verify numerically some of our analytic approximations.