More on Meta-Stable Brane Configuration

We describe the intersecting brane configuration of type IIA string theory corresponding to the meta-stable nonsupersymmetric vacua in four dimensional N=1 supersymmetric SU(N_c) gauge theory with an antisymmetric flavor, a conjugate symmetric flavor, eight fundamental flavors, m_f fundamental flavors and m_f antifundamental flavors. This is done by analyzing the N=1 supersymmetric SU(2m_f-N_c+4) magnetic gauge theory with dual matters and the corresponding dual superpotential.Comment: 20 pp, 3 figures; Pages 11,12, and 14 improved; to appear in CQ

Lectures on Supersymmetry Breaking

We review the subject of spontaneous supersymmetry breaking. First we consider supersymmetry breaking in a semiclassical theory. We illustrate it with several examples, demonstrating different phenomena, including metastable supersymmetry breaking. Then we give a brief review of the dynamics of supersymmetric gauge theories. Finally, we use this dynamics to present various mechanisms for dynamical supersymmetry breaking. These notes are based on lectures given by the authors in 2007, at various schools.Comment: 47 pages. v2: minor correction

M2-Branes and Fano 3-folds

A class of supersymmetric gauge theories arising from M2-branes probing Calabi-Yau 4-folds which are cones over smooth toric Fano 3-folds is investigated. For each model, the toric data of the mesonic moduli space is derived using the forward algorithm. The generators of the mesonic moduli space are determined using Hilbert series. The spectrum of scaling dimensions for chiral operators is computed.Comment: 128 pages, 39 figures, 42 table

3D Seiberg-like Dualities and M2 Branes

We investigate features of duality in three dimensional N=2 Chern-Simons matter theories conjectured to describe M2 branes at toric Calabi Yau four-fold singularities. For 3D theories with non-chiral 4D parents we propone a Seiberg-like duality which turns out to be a toric duality. For theories with chiral 4D parents we discuss the conditions under which that Seiberg-like duality leads to toric duality. We comment on such duality in 3D theories without 4D parents.Comment: 30 pages, 15 figures, JHEP