New Curves from Branes

TL;DR

This paper derives new algebraic curves representing the Coulomb branches of various N=2 gauge theories with different gauge groups and matter content, using string theory brane configurations and M-theory lifts.

Contribution

It introduces a method to include orientifold effects in M-theory to derive curves for diverse gauge theories, including orthogonal, symplectic, and unitary groups with complex matter representations.

Findings

Derived curves for orthogonal and symplectic gauge groups.

Proposed new curves for theories with unitary groups and symmetric or antisymmetric matter.

Extended the understanding of Coulomb branches in string theory frameworks.

Abstract

We consider configurations of Neveu-Schwarz fivebranes, Dirichlet fourbranes and an orientifold sixplane in type IIA string theory. Upon lifting the configuration to M-theory and proposing a description of how to include the effects of the orientifold sixplane we derive the curves describing the Coulomb branch of N=2 gauge theories with orthogonal and symplectic gauge groups, product gauge groups of the form SU(k_1)...SU(k_i) x SO(N) and SU(k_1)...SU(k_i) x Sp(N). We also propose new curves describing theories with unitary gauge groups and matter in the symmetric or antisymmetric representation.