One-loop four-point function in noncommutative {\cal N}=4 Yang-Mills theory

We compute the one-loop four-point function in {\cal N}=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with gauge group U(N). We perform the calculation in {\cal N}=1 superspace using the background field method and obtain the complete off-shell contributions to the effective action from planar and non planar supergraphs. In the low-energy approximation the result simplifies and we can study its properties under gauge transformations. It appears that the nonplanar contributions do not maintain the gauge invariance of the classical action.Comment: LaTex, 14 pages, 2 figure

The nonminimal scalar multiplet coupled to supersymmetric Yang-Mills

We consider the coupling of nonminimal scalar multiplets to supersymmetric Yang-Mills in four dimensions and compute the one-loop contribution to the low-energy effective action in the abelian sector. We show that the resulting theory realizes the dual version of the corresponding one from N=2 supersymmetric Yang-Mills.Comment: 10 pages, Latex, no figure

Two-point functions for N=4 Konishi-like operators

We compute the two-point function of Konishi-like operators up to one-loop order, in N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. We work perturbatively in N=1 superspace. We find the expression expected on the basis of superconformal invariance and determine the normalization of the correlator and the anomalous dimension of the operators to order g^2 in the coupling constant.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures; added references and some clarifying comment

D-effects in Toroidally Compactified Type II String Theory

We review exact results obtained for R^4 couplings in maximally supersymmetric type II string theories. These couplings offer a privileged scene to understand the rules of semiclassical calculus in string theory. Upon expansion in weak string coupling, they reveal an infinite sum of non-perturbative e^{-1/g} effects that can be imputed to euclidean D-branes wrapped on cycles of the compactification manifolds. They also shed light on the relation between Dp-branes and D-(p-2)branes, D-strings and (p,q) strings, instanton sums and soliton loops. The latter interpretation takes over in D<=6 in order to account for the e^{-1/g^2} effects, still mysterious from the point of view of instanton calculus. [To appear in the proceedings of the conference "Quantum Aspects of Gauge Theories, Supersymmetry and Unification" held at Neuchatel University, Switzerland, 18-23 September 1997.]Comment: 1+6 pages, neuchatel.sty include

The 0-brane action in a general D=4 supergravity background

We begin by presenting the superparticle action in the background of N=2, D=4 supergravity coupled to n vector multiplets interacting via an arbitrary special Kahler geometry. Our construction is based on implementing kappa-supersymmetry. In particular, our result can be interpreted as the source term for N=2 BPS black holes with a finite horizon area. When the vector multiplets can be associated to the complex structure moduli of a Calabi-Yau manifold, then our 0-brane action can be derived by wrapping 3-branes around 3-cycles of the 3-fold. Our result can be extended to the case of higher supersymmetry; we explicitly construct the kappa supersymmetric action for a superparticle moving in an arbitrary N=8 supergravity background with 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8 residual supersymmetry.Comment: 29 pages, LaTex; v2 and v3: twice reference added and typos corrected; v4: typos corrected for final version in Class.Quantum Gra

Exact anomalous dimensions of {\cal N}=4 Yang-Mills operators with large R charge

In a {\cal N}=1 superspace formulation of {\cal N}=4 Yang-Mills theory we obtain the anomalous dimensions of chiral operators with large R charge J \to \infty keeping g^2 N/J^2 finite, to all orders of perturbation theory in the planar limit. Our result proves the conjecture that the anomalous dimensions are indeed finite in the above limit. This amounts to an exact check of the proposed duality between a sector of {\cal N}=4 Yang-Mills theory with large R charge J and string theory in a pp-wave background.Comment: 6 pages, LaTex; v2: minor change