Non-Critical String Duals of N=1 Quiver Theories

Abstract

We construct N=1 non-critical strings in four dimensions dual to strongly coupled N=1 quiver gauge theories in the Coulomb phase, generalizing the string duals of Argyres-Douglas points in N=2 gauge theories. They are the first examples of superstrings vacua with an exact worldsheet description dual to chiral N=1 theories. We identify the dual of the non-critical superstring using a brane setup describing the field theory in the classical limit. We analyze the spectrum of chiral operators in the strongly coupled regime and show how worldsheet instanton effects give non-perturbative information about the gauge theory. We also consider aspects of D-branes relevant for the holographic duality.