Three Dimensional N=2 Gauge Theories and Degenerations of Calabi-Yau Four-Folds

TL;DR

This paper explores the geometric engineering of 3D N=2 gauge theories from Calabi-Yau four-fold degenerations, revealing how Coulomb and Higgs branches emerge and analyzing instanton effects in M theory.

Contribution

It introduces a geometric framework for constructing 3D N=2 gauge theories from Calabi-Yau four-fold degenerations, detailing the emergence of Coulomb and Higgs branches.

Findings

Coulomb and Higgs branches are realized geometrically.

Instanton-generated superpotentials reveal new aspects of M theory.

The approach applies to arbitrary gauge groups and flavors.

Abstract

Three dimensional N=2 gauge theories with arbitrary gauge group and fundamental flavors are engineered from degenerations of Calabi-Yau four-folds. We show how Coulomb and Higgs branches emerge in the geometric picture. The analysis of instanton generated superpotentials unravels interesting aspects of the five-brane effective action in M theory.