# Phases of $\mathbf{U(N_c)}$ QCD$_3$ from Type 0 Strings and Seiberg Duality

## TL;DR

This paper embeds $U(N_c)$ QCD$_3$ with a Chern-Simons term into string theory using brane configurations, proposes a Seiberg dual, and identifies various phases, including symmetry breaking and bosonization, with string dynamics.

## Contribution

It introduces a string theory embedding of $U(N_c)$ QCD$_3$ with a Chern-Simons term and proposes a magnetic Seiberg dual, linking gauge theory phases to string configurations.

## Key findings

- Identification of phases with brane configurations
- Proposal of a magnetic Seiberg dual for QCD$_3$
- Prediction of novel string dynamics from QCD

## Abstract

We propose an embedding of $U(N_c)$ QCD$_3$ with a Chern-Simons term in string theory. The UV gauge theory lives on the worldvolume of a Hanany-Witten brane configuration in type 0B string theory in the presence of Sagnotti's O$'3$ orientifold. We use the brane configuration to propose a magnetic Seiberg dual. We identify various phases of the magnetic theory with conjectured phases of QCD$_3$. In particular the symmetry breaking and bosonization phases are both associated with condensation of the dual squark field. We also discuss the abelian theory without Chern-Simons term and argue that flavour symmetry is not broken. Finally, we also predict novel type 0B string dynamics from QCD dynamics.