Quantum corrections to N=2 Chern-Simons theories with flavor and their AdS4 duals

Abstract

We add fundamental flavors to N=2 Chern-Simons-matter theories living on M2 branes probing a Calabi-Yau four-fold singularity. This is dual, in the 't Hooft limit described by IIA string theory, to the introduction of supersymmetric D6 branes wrapping AdS4 and a 3-cycle of the internal manifold. The resulting Chern-Simons theories remain conformally invariant, corresponding to the fact that the D6 branes lift to pure geometry in M-theory. The determination of the moduli space relies crucially on the 1-loop contributions to charges and OPE's of monopole operators in these field theories. The general picture is determined for non-chiral and chiral flavors, and is illustrated in several examples.

25 pages, 2 figures; typos corrected, discussion of Higgs branch with N_f=1 clarified, references added