Mapping out the internal space in AdS/BCFT with Wilson loops

We study Wilson loops in string theory realizations of AdS/BCFT and wedge holography. The field theories are based on 3d N = 4 long quiver gauge theories engineered by D3, D5 and NS5 branes, and on BCFTs involving 4d N = 4 SYM coupled to such 3d theories. The holographic duals have geometry AdS(4) x S-2 x S-2 warped over a strip. We identify the holographic representation of antisymmetric Wilson loops associated with individual 3d gauge nodes in terms of probe D5-branes. The expectation values obtained holographically are matched to supersymmetric localization computations. Our results yield an identification of regions in the internal space with individual 3d gauge nodes. Connecting to bottom-up braneworld models, this gives a concrete notion of which parts of the 10d solutions correspond to the end-of-the-world brane and which to the remaining bulk. We also construct supersymmetric Janus on the brane embeddings in AdS(5)xS(5), which describe surface defects with boundaries and interfaces in N = 4 SYM.

Automated summary

We study Wilson loops in string theory realizations of AdS/BCFT and wedge holography. The holographic representation of antisymmetric Wilson loops associated with individual 3d gauge nodes in terms of probe D5-branes is identified. This identification provides a concrete notion of which parts of the 10d solutions correspond to the end-of-the-world brane and which to the remaining bulk. Supersymmetric Janus on the brane embeddings in AdS(5)xS(5), describing surface defects with boundaries and interfaces in N = 4 SYM, are also constructed.