arXiv subjects

Marwan Najjar

Publications and source records attributed to Marwan Najjar.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

M-theory and T-geometry: Higgs branch moduli and charged matter

M-theory geometric engineering on manifolds of special holonomy yields a rich class of novel field theories. In this paper, we construct new 3d $\mathcal{N}=2^{\ast}$ and $\mathcal{N}=4^{\ast}$ gauge theories, realized as mass-deformations of theories with 16 supercharges, within this framework. These arise from non-compact 8d geometries given by fibrations of $\mathbb{R}^{4}/Γ_{ADE}$ over Biberbach 4-manifolds. The existence of consistent $Spin(7)$-structures on the 8d spaces requires the rotational holonomy of the Biberbach spaces to act on the $Sp(1)$-structure of the fibers. Furthermore, we analyze Higgsing the 7d $\mathcal{N}=1$ $ADE$ gauge theories induced by the action of a permutation group on the centres of the corresponding $\mathbb{R}^{4}/Γ_{ADE}$ spaces. We show that this operation admits a natural interpretation in terms of nilpotent, upper-triangular, Higgsing, although it breaks supersymmetry. Supersymmetry is restored by fibering the singular geometry over a compact internal space, whose structure group is chosen to coincide with the permutation group to implement the nilpotent Higgsing. We refer to such backgrounds as T-geometries, where ``T'' denotes the triangular nature of the nilpotent Higgsing. Within this framework, we investigate the nilpotent Higgsing of the 3d $\mathcal{N}=2^{\ast}$ and 4d $\mathcal{N}=1^{\ast}$ theories, where the rotational holonomy groups of the Bieberbach spaces realize the permutation groups. We demonstrate that the Higgs branch moduli are encoded by specific elements of the Slodowy slices associated with nilpotent elements. Moreover, we demonstrate that additional elements of the same slice give rise to non-chiral charged matter under the unbroken gauge algebra. We establish that both the Higgs branch moduli and the charged matter are massless and admit a natural interpretation as localized matter.

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arXiv2025

Aspects of 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ $ADE$ gauge theories from M-theory: decomposition, automorphisms, and generalised symmetries

We study the decomposition of 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ gauge theories with Lie algebras of type $\mathfrak{su}(N)$, $\mathfrak{so}(2N)$, and $\mathfrak{e}_{6}$, realized via M-theory geometric engineering. These theories, together with their novel decomposition structure, arise from quotienting the Bryant--Salamon spin bundle over the 3-sphere by special finite subgroups acting simultaneously on both the fiber and base. We show that these gauge theories admit both inner and outer automorphisms, enabling sequences of gauge theory breaking. In particular, outer automorphisms extend the decomposition structure to theories with $\mathfrak{so}(2N+1)$, $\mathfrak{sp}(2N)$, $\mathfrak{f}_{4}$, and $\mathfrak{g}_{2}$ gauge algebras. For these theories, including both simply-laced and non-simply-laced cases, we analyze their $p$-form symmetries, including $(-1)$-form symmetries, derive the corresponding SymTFTs, and identify the M-theoretic origin of their symmetry topological operators and defects. Finally, we demonstrate that these gauge theories exhibit modified instanton sums and higher 4-group structures, and we derive the associated topological sector directly from M-theory.

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arXiv2025

Confinement of 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ Gauge Theories from M-theory on CY4

In this work, we present a new geometric transition in non-compact Calabi-Yau 4-folds, specifically for the cone over the 7d Sasaki-Einstein manifold $Q^{\scriptscriptstyle(1,1,1)}/\mathbb{Z}_{N}$. We discover a new smoothing of such Calabi-Yau 4-fold singularity via a partial resolution+deformation, which can be interpreted as a confined phase for a 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ $SU(N)$ gauge theory. The confining strings are realized as M2-branes wrapping the torsional 1-cycles in this new geometric phase. We have also computed the generalized global symmetries, including finite $(-1)$-form symmetries, and SymTFT action using the link topology and intersection numbers of the resolved Calabi-Yau 4-fold.

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arXiv2025

Modified instanton sum and 4-group structure in 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ $SU(M)$ SYM from holography

We study the decomposition of the holographic 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ $SU(M)$ gauge theory with in the Klebanov-Strassler set-up. In particular, we propose a consistent framework for defining a modified instanton sum and a 4-group structure for the SYM theory, derived from its $AdS/CFT$ construction. To achieve this, we analyse symmetry topological operators associated with continuous $(-1)$-form symmetries, derive the corresponding 5-dimensional Symmetry Topological Field Theory (SymTFT), and impose specific discrete gaugings.

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arXiv2025

(-1)-form symmetries from M-theory and SymTFTs

We explore $(-1)$-form symmetries within the framework of geometric engineering in M-theory. By constructing the Symmetry Topological Field Theory (SymTFT) for selected 5d $\mathcal{N}=1$, 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ and 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories, we formalize the geometric origin of these symmetries and compute the mixed anomaly polynomials involving $(-1)$-form and higher-form symmetries. Our findings consistently reveal both discrete and continuous $(-1)$-form symmetries, aligning with established field theory results, while also uncovering new $(-1)$-form symmetry factors and structural insights. In particular, we study the SymTFT of 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ theories from M-theory on a class of spaces with $G_2$ holonomy, and obtain properties such as modified instanton sums and 4-group structures observed in other 4d gauge theories. Additionally, we systematically construct symmetry operators for continuous abelian symmetries, refining existing proposals, and providing an M-theory origin for them.

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arXiv2024

3d $N=2$ theories from M-theory on CY4 and IIB brane box

We study 3D $N=2$ supersymmetric field theories geometrically engineered from M-theory on non-compact Calabi-Yau fourfolds (CY4). We establish a detailed dictionary between the geometry and topology of non-compact CY4 and the physics of 3D $N=2$ theories in three different regimes. The first one is the Coulomb branch description when the CY4 is smooth. The second one is non-abelian gauge theory when the CY4 has a degenerate $\mathbb{P}^1$-fibration structure. The third one is the strongly coupled SCFT from a CY4 singularity. We find interesting flavor symmetry enhancements in the singular limit of CY4, as well as an interesting and previously unexplored phenomenon in 3D, termed ``flavor symmetry duality''. Many examples are analyzed with an emphasis on toric CY4s and $\mathbb{C}^4$ orbifolds with crepant resolutions. We develop a new brane box method to study the physics of Coulomb branch of 3D $N=2$ theory that admits a toric construction. Via IIB/M-theory duality we find that the brane box diagram living in $\mathbb{R}^3$ can be physically realized as a configuration of intersecting 4-branes which are extended objects in 8D maximal supersymmetric theory, which is shown to be consistent via various chains of dualities. The rank, effective gauge coupling and certain hints to flavor symmetry enhancement of the 3D $N=2$ theory are read off from the brane box and cross-checked against the results obtained from geometric engineering. The exotic branes in 8D maximal supersymmetric theory and the 4-string junctions thereof are shown to play a crucial role in the construction of the brane box.

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arXiv2022

Gauging Discrete Symmetries of $T_N$-theories in Five Dimensions

We study the gauging of a discrete $\mathbb{Z}_3$ symmetry in the five-dimensional superconformal $T_N$ theories. We argue that this leads to an infinite sequence of five-dimensional superconformal theories with either $E_6 \times SU(N)$ or $SU(3)\times SU(N)$ global symmetry group. In the $M$-theory realisation of $T_N$ theories as residing at the origin in the Calabi-Yau orbifolds ${\mathbb{C}^3 \over {\mathbb{Z}_N \times \mathbb{Z}_N}}$ we identify the $\mathbb{Z}_3$ symmetry geometrically and the new theories arise from $M$-theory on the non-Abelian orbifolds $({\mathbb{C}^3 \over {\mathbb{Z}_N \times \mathbb{Z}_N}})/{\mathbb{Z}_3}$. On the other hand, in the $(p,q)$ 5-brane web description in Type IIB theory, the symmetry combines the $U$-duality symmetry with a rotation in space, defining a so-called $U$-fold background, where the $E_6$ symmetry is manifest.

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arXiv2020

New $G_2$-conifolds in $M$-theory and their Field Theory Interpretation

A recent theorem of Foscolo-Haskins-Nordström which constructs complete $G_2$-holonomy orbifolds from circle bundles over Calabi-Yau cones can be utilised to construct and investigate a large class of generalisations of the $M$-theory flop transition. We see that in many cases a UV perturbative gauge theory appears to have an infrared dual described by a smooth $G_2$-holonomy background in $M$-theory. Various physical checks of this proposal are carried out affirmatively.

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