We investigate the classical geometry corresponding to a collection of fractional D3 branes in the orbifold limit of an ALE space. We discuss its interpretation in terms of the world-volume gauge theory on the branes, which is in general a non conformal N=2 Yang-Mills theory with matter. The twisted fields reproduce the perturbative behaviour of the gauge theory. We regulate the IR singularities for both twisted and untwisted fields by means of an enhancon mechanism qualitatively consistent with the gauge theory expectations. The five-form flux decreases logarithmically towards the IR with a coefficient dictated by the gauge theory beta-functions.
We derive the classical type IIB supergravity solution describing fractional D3-branes transverse to a C^2/Gamma orbifold singularity, for Gamma any Kleinian ADE subgroup. This solution fully describes the N=2 gauge theory with appropriate gauge groups and matter living on the branes, up to non-perturbative instanton contributions.
By looking at fractional Dp-branes of type IIA on T_4/Z_2 as wrapped branes and by using boundary state techniques we construct the effective low-energy action for the fields generated by fractional branes, build their world-volume action and find the corresponding classical geometry. The explicit form of the classical background is consistent only outside an enhancon sphere of radius r_e, which encloses a naked singularity of repulson-type. The perturbative running of the gauge coupling constant, dictated by the NS-NS twisted field that keeps its one-loop expression at any distance, also fails at r_e.
We discuss fractional D3-branes on the orbifold C^3/Z_2*Z_2. We study the open and the closed string spectrum on this orbifold. The corresponding N=1 theory on the brane has, generically, a U(N_1)*U(N_2)*U(N_3)*U(N_4) gauge group with matter in the bifundamental. In particular, when only one type of brane is present, one obtains pure N=1 Yang-Mills. We study the coupling of the branes to the bulk fields and present the corresponding supergravity solution, valid at large distances. By using a probe analysis, we are able to obtain the Wilsonian beta-function for those gauge theories that possess some chiral multiplet. Although, due to the lack of moduli, the probe technique is not directly applicable to the case of pure N=1 Yang-Mills, we point out that the same formula gives the correct result also for this case.
We analyse the Seiberg Witten curve describing the N=2 gauge theory dual to the supergravity solution with fractional branes. Emphasis is given to those aspects that are related to stringy mechanism known as the enhancon. We also compare our results with the features of the supergravity duals, which have been variously interpreted in the literature. Known aspects of the N=2 gauge theories seem to agree with the supergravity solution, whenever the two theories can be faithfully compared.
We apply the methods of homology and K-theory for branes wrapping spaces stratified fibered over hyperbolic orbifolds. In addition, we discuss the algebraic K-theory of any discrete co-compact Lie group in terms of appropriate homology and Atiyah-Hirzebruch type spectral sequence with its non-trivial lift to K-homology. We emphasize the fact that the physical D-branes properties are completely transparent within the mathematical framework of K-theory. We derive criteria for D-brane stability in the case of strongly virtually negatively curved groups. We show that branes wrapping spaces stratified fibered over hyperbolic orbifolds carry charge structure and change the additive structural properties in K-homology.