Precision Test of AdS₆/CFT₅ in Type IIB String Theory

Abstract

Superconformal field theories (SCFTs) in dimensions greater than 4 have become an integral part in the general understanding of quantum field theory, with many interesting implications in lower dimensions. They are hard to define using traditional methods, but can be engineered in string theory. Recently, a large class of AdS/CFT dualities has been constructed for five-dimensional SCFTs, which further supports their existence and allows for quantitative studies. We confront these dualities with a decisive test. We obtain the partition functions and central charges in gauge theory deformations of the SCFTs and extrapolate the results to the conformal fixed points. In the appropriate large N limits, this precisely matches the AdS/CFT predictions, providing strong support for the proposed dualities.