Higgs Branch of N=2 SQCD and M theory Branes

TL;DR

This paper explores the Higgs branch of N=2 supersymmetric QCD using M theory branes, providing a geometric proof of the s-rule, analyzing global symmetries, and describing baryonic and non-baryonic branches with brane exchange relations.

Contribution

It offers an exact M theory description of the Higgs branch, including baryonic and non-baryonic branches, and relates electric and magnetic descriptions via brane exchange.

Findings

Geometric proof of the s-rule in M theory

Exact description of baryonic and non-baryonic branches

Relation between electric and magnetic descriptions through brane exchange

Abstract

Higgs branch of N=2 SQCD is studied from the M theory viewpoint. With a differential geometrical proof of the s-rule besides an investigation on the global symmetry of M theory brane configurations, an exact description of the baryonic and non-baryonic branches in terms of M theory is presented. The baryonic branch root is also studied. The ``electric'' and ``magnetic'' descriptions of the root are shown to be related with each other by the brane exchange in M theory.