Janus solutions in M-theory

Abstract

We present a one-parameter deformation of the AdS 4 × S 7 vacuum, which is a regular solution in M-theory, invariant under SO(2,2) × SO(4) × SO(4), and which preserves 16 supersymmetries. The solution corresponds to a holographic realization of a Janus-like interface/defect theory, despite the absence of a dilaton in M-theory. The 2dimensional CFT dual results from the maximally symmetric CFT through the insertion of a dimension 2 operator which is localized along a 1dimensional linear interface/defect, thereby partially breaking the superconformal symmetry. The solution admits a regular ABJM reduction to a quotient solution which is invariant under SO(2,2) × SO(4) × U(1) 2, preserves 12 supersymmetries, and provides a Janus-like interface/defect solution in ABJM theory. © SISSA 2009.