2d SCFTs from M2-branes

TL;DR

This paper explores the low-energy two-dimensional theories arising from M2-branes between M5-branes, revealing their description via supersymmetric gauge theories and Landau-Ginzburg models, with connections to Kazama-Suzuki models.

Contribution

It establishes a novel correspondence between M2-brane configurations and N=(2,2) supersymmetric theories, including explicit realization of Kazama-Suzuki models.

Findings

Identification of the 2D theories with specific superpotentials

Analysis of ground states, chiral rings, and BPS spectra

Computation of S^2 partition functions confirming the models

Abstract

We consider the low-energy limit of the two-dimensional theory on k M2-branes suspended between a straight M5-brane and a curved M5-brane. We argue that it is described by an N=(2,2) supersymmetric gauge theory with no matter fields but with a non-trivial twisted superpotential, and also by an N=(2,2) supersymmetric Landau-Ginzburg model, such that the (twisted) superpotentials are determined by the shape of the M5-branes. We find particular cases realize Kazama-Suzuki models. Evidence is provided by the study of ground states, chiral rings, BPS spectra and S^2 partition functions of the systems.