# String theory duals of Wilson loops from Higgsing

## TL;DR

This paper constructs and analyzes 1/2 BPS Wilson loops in 3D supersymmetric theories, exploring their dual M2-brane solutions and revealing degeneracies related to supercharge preservation and Higgsing choices.

## Contribution

It introduces new Wilson loop operators via Higgsing in ABJ(M) and $
abla=4$ theories, and identifies their dual M2-brane configurations, elucidating degeneracies and supercharge preservation.

## Key findings

- Identified pairs of Wilson loops with identical supercharges.
- Mapped Wilson loops to M2-/anti-M2-brane solutions in dual M-theory.
- Explained Wilson loop degeneracy through Higgsing and brane configurations.

## Abstract

For three-dimensional ABJ(M) theories and $\mathcal N=4$ Chern-Simons-matter quiver theories, we construct two sets of 1/2 BPS Wilson loop operators by applying the Higgsing procedure along independent directions of the moduli space, and choosing different massive modes. For theories whose dual M-theory description is known, we also determine the corresponding spectrum of 1/2 BPS M2-brane solutions. We identify the supercharges in M-theory and field theory, as well as the supercharges preserved by M2-/anti-M2-branes and 1/2 BPS Wilson loops. In particular, in $\mathcal N=4$ orbifold ABJM theory we find pairs of different 1/2 BPS Wilson loops that preserve exactly the same set of supercharges. In field theory they arise by Higgsing with the choice of either particles or antiparticles, whereas in the dual description they correspond to a pair of M2-/anti-M2-branes localized at different positions in the compact space. This result enlightens the origin of classical Wilson loop degeneracy in these theories, already discussed in arXiv:1506.07614. A discussion on possible scenarios that emerge by comparison with localization results is included.