New AdS$_3$/CFT$_2$ pairs in massive IIA with $(0,4)$ and $(4,4)$ supersymmetries

Abstract: We construct a new class of $\text{AdS}_3\times $S$^3\times $M$_4$ solutions of massive Type IIA supergravity with $(0,4)$ supersymmetries and SU(3) structure. We study in detail two subclasses of these solutions. The first subclass is when M$_4=$S$^2\times \Sigma_2$, with $\Sigma_2$ a 2d Riemann surface, and the geometry is foliated over the $\Sigma_2$. We interpret these solutions as duals to surface defect CFTs within the 6d $(1,0)$ CFTs dual to the $\text{AdS}_7\times$S$^2\times I$ solutions of massive IIA supergravity. The second subclass is when M$_4=\mathbb{T}^3\times I$ and the geometry is foliated over the interval. In this case supersymmetry is enhanced to $(4,4)$ in the massless limit, and the solutions are holographically dual to $(4,4)$ CFTs living in two dimensional D2-NS5-D4 Hanany-Witten brane set-ups. In turn, in the massive case the solutions find an interpretation as D2-D4 branes embedded in Type I' string theory. We construct explicit quiver gauge theories from the different brane set-ups that flow in the IR to the 2d dual CFTs dual to the solutions. We check the validity of our proposals with the matching between the field theory and holographic central charges.