5d Higgs branch and instanton magnetization

Abstract

Higgs branches of 5d $Sp(k)$ theories with $N_f$ flavours, whether at weak or strong coupling, are described by a pair of instantons transforming as pure spinors of $SO(2N_f)$. The Poisson structure is constrained by symmetry arguments and implies that these Higgs branches are algebraic integrable systems; the degeneration of the symplectic form occurs when the spinor annihilators overlap. We argue that the stratification of the Higgs branch at infinite coupling corresponds to the alignment of the instantons weights, leading to a non vanishing magnetization, and their acquisition of a mass.

Contains 27 pages and 4 figures