Wilson loops from supergravity and string theory

We present a theorem that determines the value of the Wilson loop associate d with a Nambu-Goto action which generalizes the action of the AdS(5) x S-5 model. In particular, we derive sufficient conditions for confining behavi our. We then apply this theorem to Various string models. We go beyond the classical string picture by incorporating quadratic quantum fluctuations. W e show that the bosonic determinant of D-p-branes with 16 supersymmetries y ields a Luscher term. We confirm that the free energy associated with a BPS configuration of a single quark is free from divergences. We show that unl ike for a string in flat spacetime in the case of AdS(5) x S-5 the fermioni c determinant does not cancel the bosonic one. For a set-up that correspond s to a confining gauge theory the correction to the potential is attractive . We determine the form of the Wilson loop for actions that include non-tri vial B-mu nu field. The issue of an exact determination of the value of the string Wilson loop is discussed.