4–7 Mar 2026
Department of Physics, University of Michigan
America/Detroit timezone

Kasia Budzik (Harvard University) - Finite-N indices from branes and negative branes

4 Mar 2026, 11:15
1h 15m
West Hall 340 (Department of Physics, University of Michigan)

West Hall 340

Department of Physics, University of Michigan

1085 S University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Description

Abstract: Finite-N effects in large-N gauge theories, such as trace relations, are expected to be dual to non-perturbative phenomena in string theory, such as Giant Graviton branes. A convenient setting to study these effects are supersymmetric indices of U(N) invariants. I will present a generalization of the Molien-Weyl formula computing generating functions of invariants of supergroups U(N|M), which arise as gauge groups of brane/negative brane systems in string theory. The formula leads to a new expansion relating finite-N and infinite-N indices of U(N) gauge theories. I will comment on its relation to Murthy's Giant Graviton expansion and suggest a physical interpretation in terms of "Koszul dual" branes and negative branes. This talk is based on arXiv:2509.20451 and work in progress with Davide Gaiotto.

Presentation materials