RUI: Supersymmetric gauge theory and Dirichlet-branes

Bowdoin College, Brunswick ME

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract PI:Stephen Naculich Institution : Bowdoin College PHY-0456944 Title: RUI: Supersymmetric gauge theory and Dirichlet-branes This proposal focuses on the nonperturbative properties of supersymmetric gauge theories using results from type IIA string theory/M-theory, IIB string theory/supergravity, and Dijkgraaf-Vafa matrix models. The PI plans to: (1) use matrix-model methods to explore nonperturbative properties of elliptic models for which the Seiberg-Witten curve and differential are only incompletely known, (2) use gauge/supergravity duality to explore the thermodynamics of strongly-coupled gauge theories containing fundamental matter by examining non-extremal supergravity solutions corresponding to localized configurations of D2- and D6-branes, and (3) study aspects of the supergravity solution corresponding to fractional D3-branes in an orbifold background by using the nonperturbative prepotential of the gauge theory that arises on the worldvolume of the fractional D3-branes. Because this project integrally involves undergraduate participation, it has the broader impact of contributing to their education by providing training in quantum mechanics, group theory, and field theory, and exposure to research methods in theoretical physics.