Non-Critical Superstrings from Four-Dimensional Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores large-N double-scaling limits of four-dimensional gauge theories, revealing dualities to non-critical superstring backgrounds, especially near critical points where certain states become massless, with specific models demonstrating these phenomena.

Contribution

It provides evidence that certain four-dimensional gauge theories in a double-scaling limit are dual to non-critical superstring theories, expanding the understanding of gauge/string dualities in less supersymmetric contexts.

Findings

Double-scaled theories are dual to non-critical superstring backgrounds.

Models include $eta$-deformed ${ m f N}=4$ SUSY Yang-Mills and ${ m f N}=1$ SUSY Yang-Mills with superpotential.

String backgrounds are weakly coupled and free of Ramond-Ramond flux.

Abstract

We study large-N double-scaling limits of U(N) gauge theories in four dimensions. We focus on theories in a partially confining phase where an abelian subgroup $\hat{G}$ of the gauge group remains unconfined. Double-scaling is defined near critical points in the parameter/moduli space where states charged under $\hat{G}$ become massless. In specific cases, we present evidence that the double-scaled theory is dual to a non-critical superstring background. Models studied include the $\beta$-deformation of ${\cal N}=4$ SUSY Yang-Mills which leads to a non-critical string theory with sixteen supercharges. We also study ${\cal N}=1$ SUSY Yang-Mills theory coupled to a single chiral superfield with a polynomial superpotential which leads to a related string theory with eight supercharges. In both cases the string coupling is small and the background is free from Ramond-Ramond flux.