Large N Renormalization Group Flows in 3d $\mathcal{N}=1$ Chern-Simons-Matter Theories

Abstract

We discuss 3d $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetric SU(N) and U(N) Chern-Simons-matter theories, with $N_f$ matter superfields in the fundamental representation of SU(N) or U(N). In the large N 't Hooft limit with fixed 't Hooft coupling $\lambda$ these theories have one (for $N_f=1$) or two (for $N_f > 1$) exactly marginal deformations in the superpotential. At finite N these couplings acquire a beta function. We compute the beta function exactly for $\lambda=0$, at leading order in 1/N. For $N_f=1$ we find four fixed points, one of which is triply-degenerate. We show that at large N there are at most six fixed points for any $\lambda$, and conjecture that there are exactly six, with three of them stable (including a point with enhanced $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetry). The strong-weak coupling dualities of $\mathcal{N}=1$ Chern-Simons-matter theories map each of these fixed points to a dual one. We show that at large N the phase structure near each of the three stable fixed points is different. For $N_f>1$ we analyze the fixed points at weak coupling, and we work out the action of the strong-weak coupling duality on the marginal and relevant superpotential couplings at large N (which was previously known only for $N_f=1$). In addition, we compute in these theories the 2-point and 3-point functions of the lowest gauge-invariant singlet superfield at large N, for all values of $\lambda$ and of the superpotential couplings, and use them to test the large N dualities. This computation is one of the ingredients needed for a computation of the beta function at order 1/N for all $\lambda$, which we leave for future work. We also discuss Chern-Simons-matter theories with extra Hubbard-Stratonovich type singlet fields, and suggest dualities between them.