Dualities in 4D Theories with Product Gauge Groups from Brane Configurations

TL;DR

This paper explores dualities in four-dimensional N=1 theories with product gauge groups using brane configurations, revealing new features from NS 5-brane intersections and extending duality concepts to alternating SO and Sp groups.

Contribution

It introduces a brane setup that demonstrates electric/magnetic duality for SO and Sp product gauge theories, including novel intersection effects and potential generalizations.

Findings

Duality for SO x Sp gauge theories established

Role of NS 5-brane intersections clarified

Extension to alternating SO and Sp groups discussed

Abstract

We study brane configurations which correspond to N=1 field theories in four dimensions. By inverting the order of the NS 5-branes and D6-branes, a check on dualities in four dimensional theories can be made. We consider a brane configuration which yields electric/magnetic duality for gauge theories with $SO(N_{c1})\times Sp(N_{c2})$ product gauge group. We also discuss the possible extension to any alternating product of SO and Sp groups. The new features arising from the intersection of the NS 5-branes on the orientifold play a crucial role in our construction.