D-Brane Topology Changing Transitions

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that D-branes can undergo smooth topology-changing transitions via flop transitions in three-dimensional orbifold backgrounds, linking geometric phases to gauge theory vacua.

Contribution

It establishes that D-branes can experience smooth topology changes, connecting geometric resolutions with gauge theory moduli space, a novel insight into D-brane dynamics.

Findings

D-branes exhibit topology-changing transitions in orbifold backgrounds.

Distinct geometric phases are connected within the gauge theory vacuum moduli space.

D-branes can undergo smooth topology transitions similar to fundamental strings.

Abstract

We study D-branes on three-dimensional orbifold backgrounds that admit topologically distinct resolutions differing by flop transitions. We show that these distinct phases are part of the vacuum moduli space of the super Yang-Mills gauge theory describing the D-brane dynamics. In this way we establish that D-branes --- like fundamental strings --- allow for physically smooth topology changing transitions.