An M-theory Flop as a Large N Duality

Atiyah, M.; Maldacena, J.; Vafa, C.

An M-theory Flop as a Large N Duality

Authors

Atiyah, M.

Maldacena, J.

Vafa, C.

Description

We show how a recently proposed large $N$ duality in the context of type IIA strings with ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetry in 4 dimensions can be derived from purely geometric considerations by embedding type IIA strings in M-theory. The phase structure of M-theory on $G_2$ holonomy manifolds and an $S^3$ flop are the key ingredients in this derivation.
17 pages, references added and corrected