Type IIB Superstrings, BPS Monopoles, And Three-Dimensional Gauge Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper uses string theory to explain the relationship between Coulomb branches of 3D supersymmetric gauge theories and monopole moduli spaces, revealing new phase transitions, fixed points, and dualities.

Contribution

It provides a string theory framework explaining 3D gauge theory phenomena, including mirror symmetry and phase transitions, via brane dynamics and dualities.

Findings

Connection between Coulomb branches and monopole moduli spaces

Prediction of new phase transitions and fixed points

Identification of novel coupling constants in 3D gauge theories

Abstract

We propose an explanation via string theory of the correspondence between the Coulomb branch of certain three-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theories and certain moduli spaces of magnetic monopoles. The same construction also gives an explanation, via $SL(2,\Z)$ duality of Type IIB superstrings, of the recently discovered ``mirror symmetry'' in three dimensions. New phase transitions in three dimensions as well as new infrared fixed points and even new coupling constants not present in the known Lagrangians are predicted from the string theory construction. An important role in the construction is played by a novel aspect of brane dynamics in which a third brane is created when two branes cross.