Linear Quivers and N=1 SCFTs from M5-branes

We study a class of N=1 quiver gauge theories build out of vector multiplets and matter multiplets in the fundamental and bifundamental representations. We argue that these theories flow to interacting SCFTs in the IR and calculate their central charges. We exhibit a type IIA brane construction which at low energies is described by these SCFTs. This also leads to a natural description of the theories in terms of M5-branes on a punctured sphere.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figure

Structure of Anomalies of 4d SCFTs from M5-branes, and Anomaly Inflow

We study the 't Hooft anomalies of four-dimensional superconformal field theories that arise from M5-branes wrapped on a punctured Riemann surface. In general there are two independent contributions to the anomalies. There is a bulk term obtained by integrating the anomaly polynomial of the world-volume theory on the M5-branes over the Riemann surface; this contribution knows about the punctures only through its dependence on the Euler characteristic of the surface. The second set of contributions comes from local data at the punctures; these terms are independent from the bulk data of the surface. Using anomaly inflow in M-theory, we describe the general structure of the anomalies for cases when the four-dimensional theories preserve N=2 supersymmetry. We additionally discuss the anomalies corresponding to (p,q) punctures in N=1 theories.Comment: version 2, 38 pages. We simplified the discussion of the inflow procedure with punctures and removed the details of the explicit computation of the puncture anomalies in order to focus on arguing the main new ideas. Added clarification on main resul

Quarter-BPS AdS5 solutions in M-theory with a T2 bundle over a Riemann surface

We study and classify quarter-BPS AdS5 systems in M-theory, whose internal six-dimensional geometry is a T2 bundle over a Riemann surface and two interval directions. The general system presented, provides a unified description of all known AdS5 solutions in M-theory. These systems are governed by two functions, one that corresponds to the conformal factor of the Riemann surface and another that describes the T2 fibration. We find solutions that can be organized into two classes. In the first one, solutions are specified by the conformal factor of the Riemann surface which satisfies a warped generalization of the SU(infinity) Toda equation. The system in the second class requires the Riemann surface to be S2, H2 or T2. Class one contains the M-theory AdS5 solutions of Lin, Lunin and Maldacena; the solutions of Maldacena and Nunez; the solutions of Gauntlett, Martelli, Sparks and Waldram; and the eleven-dimensional uplift of the Y(p,q) metrics. The second includes the recently found solutions of Beem, Bobev, Wecht and the author. Within each class there are new solutions that will be studied in a companion paper.Comment: Signs in warp factor corrected. References adde

BPS M5-branes as Defects for the 3d-3d Correspondence

We study supersymmetric probe M5-branes in the AdS_4 solution that arises from M5-branes wrapped on a hyperbolic 3-manifold M_3. This amounts to introducing internal defects within the framework of the 3d-3d correspondence. The BPS condition for a probe M5-brane extending along all of AdS_4 requires it to wrap a surface embedded in an S^2-fibration over M_3. We find that the projection of this surface to M_3 can be either a geodesic or a tubular surface around a geodesic. These configurations preserve an extra U(1) symmetry, in addition to the one corresponding to the R-symmetry of the dual 3d N=2 gauge theory. BPS M2-branes can stretch between M5-branes wrapping geodesics. We interpret the addition of probe M5-branes on a closed geodesic in terms of conformal Dehn surgery.Comment: 26 pages, 16 figure

Punctures from Probe M5-Branes and N=1 Superconformal Field Theories

We study probe M5-branes in N=1 AdS5 solutions of M-theory that arise from M5-branes wrapped on a Riemann surface. Using the BPS condition from kappa-symmetry, we classify supersymmetric probe M5-branes that extend along all of AdS5 and intersect the Riemann surface at points. These can be viewed as punctures in the dual N=1 superconformal field theories. We find M5-branes that correspond to the two types of simple punctures previously studied in field theory. In addition, when the central charge is rational, we find a new class of M5-branes with a moduli space that includes two internal dimensions in addition to the Riemann surface. These new M5-branes have the essential characteristic of fractional branes, in that a single one at a generic point of its moduli space becomes multiple M5-branes at special points.Comment: 29 pages, 9 figure

Analysis of the World Non-Ferrous Metal Industry

In this article, we provide the analysis of the world non-ferrous metal industry. In order to do so, we use data from the World Bureau of Metal Statistics (WBMS), the World Bank Commodity Market Outlook (CMO, April 2017) and the global aluminum market overview (UC Rusal, May 2014). We do the alu minum supply-demand analysis. We use statistical methods to highlight dynamics of bauxite production, the trend of non-ferrous metal prices and the share of leading aluminum producing corporations. The results show that in 2016 there is negative aluminum supply-demand balance (approximately 2.2 million tons). In addition, they show that the prices of nickel are more volatile than those of copper and aluminum. The results also show the growing demand for aluminum in the coming years due to increased use of a luminum in the automotive, power and construction industries

Topological Stars, Black holes and Generalized Charged Weyl Solutions

We construct smooth static bubble solutions, denoted as topological stars, in five-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell theories which are asymptotic to $\mathbb{R}^{1,3}\times$S$^1$. The bubbles are supported by allowing electromagnetic fluxes to wrap smooth topological cycles. The solutions live in the same regime as non-extremal static charged black strings, that reduce to black holes in four dimensions. We generalize to multi-body configurations on a line by constructing closed-form generalized charged Weyl solutions in the same theory. Generic solutions consist of topological stars and black strings stacked on a line, that are wrapped by electromagnetic fluxes. We embed the solutions in type IIB String Theory on S$^1\times$T$^4$. In this framework, the charged Weyl solutions provide a novel class in String Theory of multiple charged objects in the non-supersymmetric and non-extremal black hole regime.Comment: 39 pages + Appendices, minor changes and typos correcte