On conformal field theories in four dimensions

Extending recent work of Kachru and Silverstein, we consider "orbifolds" of four-dimensional N = 4 SU(n) super-Yang-Mills theories with respect to discrete subgroups of the SU(4) R-symmetry which act non-trivially on the gauge group. We show that for every discrete subgroup of SU(4) there is a canonical choice of imbedding of the discrete group in the gauge group which leads to theories with a vanishing one-loop beta-function. We conjecture that these give rise to (generically non-supersymmetric) conformal theories. The gauge group is x(i)SU(Nn(i)), where n(i) denote the dimension of the irreducible representations of the corresponding discrete group; there is also bifundamental matter, dictated by associated quiver diagrams. The interactions can also be read off from the quiver diagram. For SU(3) and SU(2) subgroups this leads to superconformal theories with N = 1 and N = 2, respectively. In the N = 1 case we prove the vanishing of the beta functions to two loops. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.