On Large N Gauge Theories from Orientifolds

TL;DR

This paper explores four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories derived from orientifolds of Type IIB string theory on Abelian orbifolds, analyzing their world-sheet descriptions and large N behavior, with implications for string and field theory correspondence.

Contribution

It classifies orientifold gauge theories with well-defined world-sheet descriptions and demonstrates their large N correlation functions match those of parent N=4 theories.

Findings

Limited number of orientifolds with well-defined world-sheet expansion.

Agreement with string theory and field theory expectations.

Large N correlation functions reduce to those of N=4 theories.

Abstract

We consider four dimensional ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theories obtained via orientifolds of Type IIB on Abelian C^3/G orbifolds. We construct all such theories that have well defined world-sheet expansion. The number of such orientifolds is rather limited. We explain this fact in the context of recent developments in four dimensional Type IIB orientifolds. In particular, we elaborate these issues in some examples of theories where world-sheet description is inadequate due to non-perturbative (from the orientifold viewpoint) states arising from D-branes wrapping (collapsed) 2-cycles in the orbifold. We find complete agreement with the corresponding statements recently discussed in the context of Type I compactifications on toroidal orbifolds. This provides a non-trivial check for correctness of the corresponding conclusions. We also find non-trivial agreement with various field theory expectations, and point out their origin in string language. The orientifold gauge theories that do possess well defined world-sheet description have the property that in the large N limit computation of any M-point correlation function in these theories reduces to the corresponding computation in the parent ${\cal N}=4$ oriented theory.