Spin(7) Orientifolds and 2d $\mathcal{N}= (0,1)$ Triality

Abstract

We present a new, geometric perspective on the recently proposed triality of 2d $\mathcal{N}=(0,1)$ gauge theories, based on its engineering in terms of D1-branes probing Spin(7) orientifolds. In this context, triality translates into the fact that multiple gauge theories correspond to the same underlying orientifold. We show how Spin(7) orientifolds based on a particular involution, which we call the universal involution, give rise to precisely the original version of $\mathcal{N}=(0,1)$ triality. Interestingly, our work also shows that the space of possibilities is significantly richer. Indeed, general Spin(7) orientifolds extend triality to theories that can be regarded as consisting of coupled $\mathcal{N}=(0,2)$ and $(0,1)$ sectors. The geometric construction of 2d gauge theories in terms of D1-branes at singularities therefore leads to extensions of triality that interpolate between the pure $\mathcal{N}=(0,2)$ and $(0,1)$ cases.