M-theory on Manifolds of G_2 Holonomy and Type IIA Orientifolds

TL;DR

This paper explores dualities between M-theory on G_2 holonomy manifolds and type IIA orientifolds, revealing new relationships and models that incorporate gauge theory/gravity dualities.

Contribution

It demonstrates that M-theory on G_2 manifolds can be described as type IIA orientifolds at special moduli space points, uncovering new dualities and models.

Findings

Discovery of dualities relating different IIA orientifolds.

Identification of special loci where M-theory and IIA descriptions coincide.

Models incorporating gauge/gravity dualities similar to Atiyah-Maldacena-Vafa work.

Abstract

We demonstrate that M-theory compactifications on 7-manifolds of G_2 holonomy, which yield 4d N=1 supersymmetric systems, often admit at special loci in their moduli space a description as type IIA orientifolds. In this way, we are able to find new dualities of special IIA orientifolds, including dualities which relate orientifolds of IIA strings on manifolds of different topology with different numbers of wrapped D-branes. We also discuss models which incorporate, in a natural way, compact embeddings of gauge theory/gravity dualities similar to those studied in the recent work of Atiyah, Maldacena and Vafa.