Analysis of supersymmetric field theories via AdS/CFT, brane setups and matrix models

N = 1 theories whose matrix model spectral curve develops Argyres-Douglas singularities are constructed. The large N expansion breaks down at the critical points with domain wall tensions scaling as a fractional power of N. However, there exist double scaling limits that are conjectured to define a four-dimensional non-critical string theory. The confinement-deconfinement phase transition in 3d = 1 U(N) Super Yang-Mills Chern-Simons theory is studied via its supergravity dual description. The would-be deconfined higher temperature phase is actually unstable. Therefore, it is not possible to conclude whether the transition takes place or not. The splitting of NS5-branes and D(p+2)-branes on orientifold Op-planes is analyzed. The rules governing this process are derived and checked in the case p = 4 by means of Seiberg-Witten curves.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Physics.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Bertoldi, Gaetano, 1973-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Amihay Hanany.

• Physics.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/29611

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/29611