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Amihay Hanany

Publications and source records attributed to Amihay Hanany.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Branes and the Kraft-Procesi transition: classical case

Moduli spaces of a large set of $3d$ $\mathcal{N}=4$ effective gauge theories are known to be closures of nilpotent orbits. This set of theories has recently acquired a special status, due to Namikawa's theorem. As a consequence of this theorem, closures of nilpotent orbits are the simplest non-trivial moduli spaces that can be found in three dimensional theories with eight supercharges. In the early 80's mathematicians Hanspeter Kraft and Claudio Procesi characterized an inclusion relation between nilpotent orbit closures of the same classical Lie algebra. We recently showed a physical realization of their work in terms of the motion of D3-branes on the Type IIB superstring embedding of the effective gauge theories. This analysis is restricted to A-type Lie algebras. The present note expands our previous discussion to the remaining classical cases: orthogonal and symplectic algebras. In order to do so we introduce O3-planes in the superstring description. We also find a brane realization for the mathematical map between two partitions of the same integer number known as "collapse". Another result is that basic Kraft-Procesi transitions turn out to be described by the moduli space of orthosymplectic quivers with varying boundary conditions.

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Discrete Gauging in Six Dimensions

When $n$ M5 branes coincide on an A type singularity, $\mathbb{C}^2/\mathbb{Z}_k$, there is a multitude of tensionless strings which arise in the spectrum. The low energy theory when all M5 branes are separated at the singularity is given by a linear quiver with parameters $n$ and $k$. The theory has a multitude of phases, as many as partitions of $n$, each characterized by a different Higgs branch. Each such Higgs branch can be described by a Coulomb branch of a 3d $\mathcal{N}=4$ quiver. For example, at finite coupling, when all branes are separated, the quiver has a bouquet of $n$ $U(1)$ nodes connected to a single node. There is a natural discrete non Abelian $S_n$ global symmetry which acts in the theory by permuting $n$ identical objects. It acts in particular on the Higgs branch at the above finite coupling phase. It is conjectured that at the coincident point this discrete $S_n$ flavor symmetry is gauged, and at partial coincidence the corresponding subgroup of $S_n$ is gauged. This elegant and simple effect solves several problems which are raised recently on the physics of multiple M5 branes on an A type singularity. Similar results on multitude of phases are concluded for a system of $n$ M5 branes on an A type singularity next to an M9 plane.

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Quiver Subtractions

We study the vacuum structure of gauge theories with eight supercharges. It has been recently discovered that in the Higgs branch of $5d$ and $6d$ SQCD theories with eight supercharges, the new massless states, arising when the gauge coupling is taken to infinity, can be described in terms of Coulomb branches of $3d ~\mathcal N=4$ quiver gauge theories. The description of this new phenomenon draws from the ideas discovered in the analysis of nilpotent orbits as Higgs and Coulomb branches of $3d$ theories and promotes the Higgs mechanism known as the Kraft-Procesi transition to the status of a new operation between quivers. This is the quiver subtraction. This paper establishes this operation formally and examines some immediate consequences. One is the extension of the physical realization of Kraft-Procesi transitions from the classical to the exceptional Lie algebras. Another result is the extension from special nilpotent orbits to non-special ones. One further consequence is the analysis of the effect in $5d ~\mathcal N=1$ SQCD of integrating out a massive quark while the gauge coupling remains infinite. In general, the subtraction of quivers sheds light on the different types of singularities within the Coulomb branch and the structure of the massless states that arise at those singular points; including the nature of the new Higgs branches that open up. This allows for a systematic analysis of mixed branches of $3d ~\mathcal N=4$ quivers that do not necessarily have a simple embedding in string theory. The subtraction of two quivers is an extremely simple resource for the theoretical physicist interested in the vacuum structure of gauge theories, and yet its power is so remarkable that is bound to play a crucial role in the coming discoveries of new and exciting physics in $5$ and $6$ dimensions.

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Nilpotent orbits and the Coulomb branch of $T^σ(G)$ theories: special orthogonal vs orthogonal gauge group factors

Coulomb branches of a set of $3d\ \mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric gauge theories are closures of nilpotent orbits of the algebra $\mathfrak{so}(n)$. From the point of view of string theory, these quantum field theories can be understood as effective gauge theories describing the low energy dynamics of a brane configuration with the presence of orientifold planes. The presence of the orientifold planes raises the question to whether the orthogonal factors of a the gauge group are indeed orthogonal $O(N)$ or special orthogonal $SO(N)$. In order to investigate this problem, we compute the Hilbert series for the Coulomb branch of $T^σ(SO(n)^\vee)$ theories, utilizing the monopole formula. The results for all nilpotent orbits from $\mathfrak {so} (3)$ to $\mathfrak{so}(10)$ which are special and normal are presented. A new relationship between the choice of $SO/O(N)$ factors in the gauge group and the Lusztig's Canonical Quotient of the corresponding nilpotent orbit is observed. We also provide a new way of projecting several magnetic lattices of different $SO(N)$ gauge group factors by the simultaneous action of a $\mathbb Z_2$ group.

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3d Coulomb branch and 5d Higgs branch at infinite coupling

The Higgs branch of minimally supersymmetric five dimensional SQCD theories increases in a significant way at the UV fixed point when the inverse gauge coupling is tuned to zero. It has been a long standing problem to figure out how, and to find an exact description of this Higgs branch. This paper solves this problem in an elegant way by proposing that the Coulomb branches of three dimensional ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetric quiver gauge theories, named "Exceptional Sequences", provide the solution to the problem. Thus, once again, 3d ${\cal N}=4$ Coulomb branches prove to be useful tools in solving problems in higher dimensions. Gauge invariant operators on the 5d side consist of classical objects such as mesons, baryons and gaugino bilinears, and non perturbative objects such as instanton operators with or without baryon number. On the 3d side we have classical objects such as Casimir invariants and non perturbative objects such as monopole operators, bare or dressed. The duality map works in a very interesting way.

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Quiver Theories and Formulae for Nilpotent Orbits of Exceptional Algebras

We treat the topic of the closures of the nilpotent orbits of the Lie algebras of Exceptional groups through their descriptions as moduli spaces, in terms of Hilbert series and the highest weight generating functions for their representation content. We extend the set of known Coulomb branch quiver theory constructions for Exceptional group minimal nilpotent orbits, or reduced single instanton moduli spaces, to include all orbits of Characteristic Height 2, drawing on extended Dynkin diagrams and the unitary monopole formula. We also present a representation theoretic formula, based on localisation methods, for the normal nilpotent orbits of the Lie algebras of any Classical or Exceptional group. We analyse lower dimensioned Exceptional group nilpotent orbits in terms of Hilbert series and the Highest Weight Generating functions for their decompositions into characters of irreducible representations and/or Hall Littlewood polynomials. We investigate the relationships between the moduli spaces describing different nilpotent orbits and propose candidates for the constructions of some non-normal nilpotent orbits of Exceptional algebras.

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HWG for Coulomb branch of $3d$ Sicilian theory mirrors

Certain star shaped quivers exhibit a pattern of symmetry enhancement on the Coulomb branch of $3d$ $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric gauge theories. This paper studies a subclass of theories where such global symmetry enhancement occurs through a computation of the Highest Weight Generating Function (HWG) and of the corresponding Hilbert Series (HS), providing a further test of the Coulomb branch formula. This special subclass has a feature in which the HWG takes a particularly simple form, as a simple rational function which is either a product of simple poles (termed freely generated) or a simple PE (termed complete intersection). Out of all possible star shaped quivers, this is a particularly simple subclass. The present study motivates a further study of identifying all star shaped quivers for which their HWG is of this simple form.

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Instanton Operators and the Higgs Branch at Infinite Coupling

The richness of 5d $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories with a UV fixed point at infinite coupling is due to the existence of local disorder operators known as instanton operators. By considering the Higgs branch of $SU(2)$ gauge theories with $N_f \leq 7$ flavours at finite and infinite coupling, we write down the explicit chiral ring relations between instanton operators, the glueball superfield and mesons. Exciting phenomena appear at infinite coupling: the glueball superfield is no longer nilpotent and the classical chiral ring relations are quantum corrected by instanton operators bilinears. We also find expressions for the dressing of instanton operators of arbitrary charge. The same analysis is performed for $USp(2k)$ with an antisymmetric hypermultiplet and pure $SU(N)$ gauge theories.

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Algebraic properties of the monopole formula

The monopole formula provides the Hilbert series of the Coulomb branch for a 3-dimensional N=4 gauge theory. Employing the concept of a fan defined by the matter content, and summing over the corresponding collection of monoids, allows the following: firstly, we provide explicit expressions for the Hilbert series for any gauge group. Secondly, we prove that the order of the pole at t=1 and t=infinity equals the complex or quaternionic dimension of the moduli space, respectively. Thirdly, we determine all bare and dressed BPS monopole operators that are sufficient to generate the entire chiral ring. As an application, we demonstrate the implementation of our approach to computer algebra programs and the applicability to higher rank gauge theories.

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Quiver Theories for Moduli Spaces of Classical Group Nilpotent Orbits

We approach the topic of Classical group nilpotent orbits from the perspective of their moduli spaces, described in terms of Hilbert series and generating functions. We review the established Higgs and Coulomb branch quiver theory constructions for A series nilpotent orbits. We present systematic constructions for BCD series nilpotent orbits on the Higgs branches of quiver theories defined by canonical partitions; this paper collects earlier work into a systematic framework, filling in gaps and providing a complete treatment. We find new Coulomb branch constructions for above minimal nilpotent orbits, including some based upon twisted affine Dynkin diagrams. We also discuss aspects of 3d mirror symmetry between these Higgs and Coulomb branch constructions and explore dualities and other relationships, such as HyperKahler quotients, between quivers. We analyse all Classical group nilpotent orbit moduli spaces up to rank 4 by giving their unrefined Hilbert series and the Highest Weight Generating functions for their decompositions into characters of irreducible representations and/or Hall Littlewood polynomials.

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Coulomb Branch for A-type Balanced Quivers in 3d $\mathcal{N}=4$ gauge theories

We study Coulomb branch moduli spaces of a class of three dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ gauge theories whose quiver satisfies the balance condition. The Coulomb branch is described by dressed monopole operators which can be counted using the Monopole formula. We mainly focus on A-type quivers in this paper, using Hilbert Series to study their moduli spaces, and present the interesting pattern which emerges. All of these balanced A-type quiver gauge theories can be realized on brane intervals in Type IIB string theory, where mirror symmetry acts by exchanging the five branes and induces an equivalence between Coulomb branch and Higgs branch of mirror pairs. For each theory, we explicitly discuss the gauge invariant generators on the Higgs branch and the relations they satisfy. Finally, some analysis on $D_4$ balanced quivers also presents an interesting structure of their moduli spaces.

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On Three-Dimensional Quiver Gauge Theories of Type B

We study three-dimensional supersymmetric quiver gauge theories with a non-simply laced global symmetry primarily focusing on framed affine $B_{N}$ quiver theories. Using a supersymmetric partition function on a three sphere, and its transformation under S-duality, we study the three-dimensional ADHM quiver for $SO(2N+1)$ instantons with a half-integer Chern-Simons coupling. The theory after S-duality has no Lagrangian, and can not be represented by a single quiver, however its partition function can be conveniently described by a collection of framed affine ${B}_{N}$ quivers. This correspondence can be conjectured to generalize three-dimensional mirror symmetry to theories with nontrivial Chern-Simons terms. In addition, we propose a formula for the superconformal index of a theory described by a framed affine $B_N$ quiver.

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Branes and the Kraft-Procesi Transition

The Coulomb and Higgs branches of certain 3d N=4 gauge theories can be understood as closures of nilpotent orbits. Recently, a new theorem by Namikawa suggests that this is the simplest possible case, thus giving this class a special role. In this note we use branes to reproduce the mathematical work by Kraft and Procesi. It studies the classification of all nilpotent orbits for classical groups and it characterizes an inclusion relation via minimal singularities. We show how these minimal singularities arise naturally in the Type IIB superstring embedding of the 3d A-type theories. The Higgs mechanism can be used to remove the minimal singularity, corresponding to a transition in the brane configuration that induces a new effective 3d theory. This reproduces the Kraft-Procesi results, endowing the family of gauge theories with a new underlying structure. We provide an efficient procedure for computing such brane transitions.

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A tale of two cones: the Higgs Branch of Sp(n) theories with 2n flavours

The purpose of this short note is to highlight a particular phenomenon which concerns the Higgs branch of a certain family of 4d N = 2 theories with SO(2N) flavour symmetry. By studying the Higgs branch as an algebraic variety through Hilbert series techniques we find that it is not a single hyperkahler cone but rather the union of two cones with intersection a hyperkahler subvariety which we specify. This remarkable phenomenon is not only interesting per se but plays a crucial role in understanding the structure of all Higgs branches that are generated by mesons.

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Coulomb branches for rank 2 gauge groups in 3d N=4 gauge theories

The Coulomb branch of 3-dimensional N=4 gauge theories is the space of bare and dressed BPS monopole operators. We utilise the conformal dimension to define a fan which, upon intersection with the weight lattice of a GNO-dual group, gives rise to a collection of semi-groups. It turns out that the unique Hilbert bases of these semi-groups are a sufficient, finite set of monopole operators which generate the entire chiral ring. Moreover, the knowledge of the properties of the minimal generators is enough to compute the Hilbert series explicitly. The techniques of this paper allow an efficient evaluation of the Hilbert series for general rank gauge groups. As an application, we provide various examples for all rank two gauge groups to demonstrate the novel interpretation.

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Consistency and Derangements in Brane Tilings

Brane tilings describe Lagrangians (vector multiplets, chiral multiplets, and the superpotential) of four dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetric gauge theories. These theories, written in terms of a bipartite graph on a torus, correspond to worldvolume theories on $N$ D$3$-branes probing a toric Calabi-Yau threefold singularity. A pair of permutations compactly encapsulates the data necessary to specify a brane tiling. We show that geometric consistency for brane tilings, which ensures that the corresponding quantum field theories are well behaved, imposes constraints on the pair of permutations, restricting certain products constructed from the pair to have no one-cycles. Permutations without one-cycles are known as derangements. We illustrate this formulation of consistency with known brane tilings. Counting formulas for consistent brane tilings with an arbitrary number of chiral bifundamental fields are written down in terms of delta functions over symmetric groups.

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Chiral theories of class S

We study a class of four-dimensional N=1 superconformal field theories obtained from the six-dimensional (1,0) theory, on M5-branes on C^2/Z_k orbifold singularity, compactified on a Riemann surface. This produces various quiver gauge theories whose matter contents are chiral. We classify the building blocks associated to pairs-of-pants, and study the gauging of them as the gluing of punctures. The Riemann surface picture makes the duality invariance of the resulting quiver theories manifest: the theories associated to the same Riemann surface flow to the same nontrivial infrared fixed point. We explicitly check this from the 't Hooft anomalies of the global symmetries and central charges.

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