Testing Nonperturbative Orbifold Conjecture

TL;DR

This paper investigates Strassler's nonperturbative orbifold conjecture by comparing parent and daughter gauge theories using theoretical and semi-classical methods, finding evidence that contradicts the hypothesis.

Contribution

The study provides a detailed analysis showing nonperturbative effects do not match in orbifold pairs, challenging the validity of the conjecture.

Findings

Mismatch in nonperturbative effects between parent and daughter theories

Weak coupling analysis reveals differences in low-energy dynamics

Evidence against the orbifold conjecture in studied examples

Abstract

We discuss Strassler's hypothesis of matching nonperturbative effects in orbifold pairs of gauge theories which are perturbatively planar equivalent. One of the examples considered is the parent N=1 SU(N) supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and its nonsupersymmetric orbifold daughter. We apply two strategies allowing us to study nonperturbative effects: (i) low-energy theorems; (ii) putting the theory on small-size T^4 or R^3 x S^1 the parent and daughter theories are weakly coupled and amenable to quasiclassical treatment. In all cases our consideration yields a mismatch between the parent and daughter theories. Thus, regretfully, we present evidence against Strassler's hypothesis.