Field Theory Questions for String Theory Answers

TL;DR

This paper explores the field theory of 3-brane probes in F-theory compactifications, revealing novel superconformal theories with dualities and discussing their implications for string theory and brane world-volume dynamics.

Contribution

It generalizes previous work by analyzing 3-brane probes in complex F-theory compactifications, uncovering an unusual N=1 superconformal theory with exact duality.

Findings

Identification of superconformal field theories on 3-brane probes

Discovery of exact electric-magnetic duality in the new theories

Insights into spacetime and world-volume implications of F-theory compactifications

Abstract

We discuss the field theory of 3-brane probes in F-theory compactifications in two configurations, generalizing the work of Sen and of Banks, Douglas and Seiberg. One configuration involves several parallel 3-brane probes in F-theory compactified on $T^4/Z_2$, while the other involves a compactification of F-theory on $T^6/Z_2 x Z_2$ (which includes intersecting $D_4$ singularities). In both cases string theory provides simple pictures of the spacetime theory, whose implications for the three-brane world-volume theories are discussed. In the second case the field theory on the probe is an unusual N=1 superconformal theory, with exact electric-magnetic duality. Several open questions remain concerning the description of this theory.