We show that the large-N limits of certainconformal field theories in various dimensions includein their Hilbert space a sector describing supergravityon the product of anti-de Sitter spacetimes, spheres, and other compact manifolds. This is shown bytaking some branes in the full M/string theory and thentaking a low-energy limit where the field theory on thebrane decouples from the bulk. We observe that, in this limit, we can still trust thenear-horizon geometry for large N. The enhancedsupersymmetries of the near-horizon geometry correspondto the extra supersymmetry generators present in thesuperconformal group (as opposed to just the super-Poincaregroup). The 't Hooft limit of 3 + 1 N = 4 super-Yang–Mills at the conformal pointis shown to contain strings: they are IIB strings. Weconjecture that compactifications of M/string theory on various anti-de Sitterspacetimes is dual to various conformal field theories.This leads to a new proposal for a definition ofM-theory which could be extended to include fivenoncompact dimensions.

https://www.intlpress.com/site/pub/files/_fulltext/journals/atmp/1998/0002/0002/ATMP-1998-0002-0002-a001.pdf

The Large N limit of superconformal field theories and supergravity

Recently, it has been proposed by Maldacena that large $N$ limits of certain conformal field theories in $d$ dimensions can be described in terms of supergravity (and string theory) on the product of $d+1$-dimensional $AdS$ space with a compact manifold. Here we elaborate on this idea and propose a precise correspondence between conformal field theory observables and those of supergravity: correlation functions in conformal field theory are given by the dependence of the supergravity action on the asymptotic behavior at infinity. In particular, dimensions of operators in conformal field theory are given by masses of particles in supergravity. As quantitative confirmation of this correspondence, we note that the Kaluza-Klein modes of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times {\bf S}^5$ match with the chiral operators of ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. With some further assumptions, one can deduce a Hamiltonian version of the correspondence and show that the ${\cal N}=4$ theory has a large $N$ phase transition related to the thermodynamics of $AdS$ black holes.

/pdf/anti-de-sitter-space-and-holography-58a7vi1qn6.pdf

Anti De Sitter Space And Holography

Gauge Theory Correlators from Non-Critical String Theory

Recently, it has been proposed by Maldacena that large $N$ limits of certain conformal field theories in $d$ dimensions can be described in terms of supergravity (and string theory) on the product of $d+1$-dimensional $AdS$ space with a compact manifold. Here we elaborate on this idea and propose a precise correspondence between conformal field theory observables and those of supergravity: correlation functions in conformal field theory are given by the dependence of the supergravity action on the asymptotic behavior at infinity. In particular, dimensions of operators in conformal field theory are given by masses of particles in supergravity. As quantitative confirmation of this correspondence, we note that the Kaluza-Klein modes of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times {\bf S}^5$ match with the chiral operators of $\N=4$ super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. With some further assumptions, one can deduce a Hamiltonian version of the correspondence and show that the $\N=4$ theory has a large $N$ phase transition related to the thermodynamics of $AdS$ black holes.

Anti de sitter space and holography

http://inspirehep.net/record/499969/files/arXiv:hep-th_9905111.pdf

Large N Field Theories, String Theory and Gravity

We revisit the singular IIB supergravity solution describing M fractional 3branes on the conifold [hep-th/0002159]. Its 5-form flux decreases, which we explain by showing that the relevant N = 1 SUSY SU(N+M)×SU(N) gauge theory undergoes repeated Seiberg-duality transformations in which N → N − M. Far in the IR the gauge theory confines; its chiral symmetry breaking removes the singularity of hep-th/0002159 by deforming the conifold. We propose a non-singular pure-supergravity background dual to the field theory on all scales, with small curvature everywhere if the ‘t Hooft coupling gsM is large. In the UV it approaches that of hep-th/0002159, incorporating the logarithmic flow of couplings. In the IR the deformation of the conifold gives a geometrical realization of chiral symmetry breaking and confinement. We suggest that pure N = 1 Yang-Mills may be dual to strings propagating at small gsM on a warped deformed conifold. We note also that the standard model itself may lie at the base of a duality cascade.

http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1126-6708/2000/08/052/pdf

Igor R. Klebanov

Papers

Gauge Theory Correlators from Non-Critical String Theory

Supergravity and a confining gauge theory: duality cascades and χSB-resolution of naked singularities

Ads/CFT correspondence and symmetry breaking

Superconformal field theory on threebranes at a Calabi-Yau singularity

A semi-classical limit of the gauge/string correspondence