3d N=2 mirror symmetry, pq-webs and monopole superpotentials

TL;DR

This paper constructs and analyzes 3d N=2 gauge theories derived from D3 branes on pq-web configurations, revealing monopole superpotentials, symmetry enhancements, and a novel triality through mirror symmetry and S-duality.

Contribution

It introduces a method to derive Abelian gauge theories from pq-webs with monopole superpotentials, uncovering a new triality and symmetry enhancements in 3d N=2 theories.

Findings

Construction of gauge theories from pq-webs using mirror symmetry and S-duality

Identification of monopole superpotentials and symmetry enhancements

Establishment of a triality in a special pq-web configuration

Abstract

D3 branes stretching between webs of (p,q) 5branes provide an interesting class of 3d N=2 theories. For generic pq-webs however the low energy field theory is not known. We use 3d mirror symmetry and Type IIB S-duality to construct Abelian gauge theories corresponding to D3 branes ending on both sides of a pq-web made of many coincident NS5's intersecting one D5. These theories contain chiral monopole operators in the superpotential and enjoy a non trivial pattern of global symmetry enhancements. In the special case of the pq-web with one D5 and one NS5, the 3d low energy SCFT admits three dual formulations. This triality can be applied locally inside bigger quiver gauge theories. We prove our statements using partial mirror symmetry `a la Kapustin-Strassler, showing the equality of the S^3_b partition functions and studying the quantum chiral rings.