M5-branes Probing Flux Backgrounds

Abstract

We analyze the global symmetries and anomalies of 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ field theories that arise from a stack of $N$ M5-branes probing a class of flux backgrounds. These backgrounds consist of a resolved ${\mathbb{C}}^2/{\mathbb{Z}}_k$ singularity fibered over a smooth Riemann surface of genus $g\ge 2$, supported by a non-trivial $G_4$-flux configuration labeled by a collection of $2(k-1)$ flux quanta, $\{N_i\}$. For $k=2$, this setup defines a non-trivial superconformal field theory (SCFT) in the IR, which is holographically dual to an explicit $Ad{S}_5$ solution first described by Gauntlett, Martelli, Sparks, and Waldram. The generalization to $k\ge 3$ is hard to tackle directly within holography. Instead, in this paper we lay the groundwork for a systematic analysis of such a generalization by adopting anomaly inflow methods to identify continuous and discrete global symmetries of the 4d field theories. We also compute the 't Hooft anomalies for continuous symmetries at leading order in the limit of large $N$, $N_i$.

References in corpus (9)

• Generalized Global Symmetries
• Four-Dimensional SCFTs from M5-Branes
• Discrete and higher-form symmetries in SCFTs from wrapped M5-branes
• Generalized symmetries and holography in ABJM-type theories
• M5-brane Sources, Holography, and Argyres-Douglas Theories
• Holographic Duals of Argyres-Douglas Theories
• Anomalies of QFTs from M-theory and Holography
• Anomaly Inflow, Accidental Symmetry, and Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking
• The Geometry of Decoupling Fields

Cited by in corpus (5)

• Non-invertible Symmetries of Class $\mathcal{S}$ Theories
• Symmetry TFTs for 3d QFTs from M-theory
• Relative Defects in Relative Theories: Trapped Higher-Form Symmetries and Irregular Punctures in Class S
• Anomalies of Generalized Symmetries from Solitonic Defects
• Disconnected 0-Form and 2-Group Symmetries