Free Large N Supersymmetric Yang-Mills Theory as a String Theory

The strong version of Maldacena's AdS/CFT conjecture implies that the large N expansion of free N=4 super-YM theory describes an interacting string theory in the extreme limit of high spacetime curvature relative to the string length. String states may then be understood as composed of SYM string bits. We investigate part of the low-lying spectrum of the tensionless (zero-coupling) limit and find a large number of states that are not present in the infinite tension (strong-coupling) limit, notably several massless spin two particles. We observe that all conformal dimensions are N-independent in the free SYM theory, implying that masses in the corresponding string theory are unchanged by string interactions. Degenerate string states do however mix in the interacting string theory because of the complicated N-dependence of general CFT two-point functions. Finally we verify the CFT crossing symmetry, which corresponds to the dual properties of string scattering amplitudes. This means that the SYM operator correlation functions define AdS dual models analogous to the Minkowski dual models that gave rise to string theory.Comment: LaTeX2e, 15 pages, 3 figures, uses youngtab.sty; v2: references on tensionless strings adde

Renormalization group theory, scaling laws and deep learning

The question of the possibility of intelligent machines is fundamentally intertwined with the machines’ ability to reason. Or not. The developments of the recent years point in a completely different direction : What we need is simple, generic but scalable algorithms that can keep learning on their own. This thesis is an attempt to find theoretical explanations to the findings of recent years where empirical evidence has been presented in support of phase transitions in neural networks, power law behavior of various entities, and even evidence of algorithmic universality, all of which are beautifully explained in the context of statistical physics, quantum field theory and statistical field theory but not necessarily in the context of deep learning where no complete theoretical framework is available. Inspired by these developments, and as it turns out, with the overly ambitious goal of providing a solid theoretical explanation of the empirically observed power laws in neu- ral networks, we set out to substantiate the claims that renormalization group theory may be the sought-after theory of deep learning which may explain the above, as well as what we call algorithmic universality.La question de la possibilité de machines intelligentes est intimement liée à la capacité de ces machines à raisonner. Ou pas. Les développements des dernières années indiquent une direction complètement différente : ce dont nous avons besoin sont des algorithmes simples, génériques mais évolutifs qui peuvent continuer à apprendre de leur propre chef. Cette thèse est une tentative de trouver des explications théoriques aux constatations des dernières années où des preuves empiriques ont été présentées en faveur de transitions de phase dans les réseaux de neurones, du comportement en loi de puissance de diverses entités, et même de l'universialité algorithmique, tout cela étant parfaitement expliqué dans le contexte de la physique statistique, de la théorie quantique des champs et de la théorie statistique des champs, mais pas nécessairement dans le contexte de l'apprentissage profond où aucun cadre théorique complet n'est disponible. Inspiré par ces développements, et comme il s'avère, avec le but ambitieux de fournir une explication théorique solide des lois de puissance empiriquement observées dans les réseaux de neurones, nous avons entrepris de étayer les affirmations selon lesquelles la théorie du groupe de renormalisation pourrait être la théorie recherchée de l'apprentissage profond qui pourrait expliquer cela, ainsi que ce que nous appelons l'universialité algorithmique

Boundary Conditions, Supersymmetry and A-field Coupling for an Open String in a B-field Background

We discuss the non-linear sigma model representing a NSR open string in a curved background with non-zero $B_{\mu\nu}$-field. With this coupling the theory is not automatically supersymmetric, due to boundary contributions. When B=0 supersymmetry is ensured by the conditions that follow as the boundary contribution to the field equations. We show that inclusion of a particular boundary term restores this state of affairs also in the presence of a $B$-field. The boundary conditions derived from the field equations in this case agree with those that have been proposed for constant $B$-field. A coupling to a boundary $A_\mu$-field will modify both the boundary conditions and affect the supersymmetry. It is shown that there is an $A$-coupling with non-standard fermionic part that respects both the supersymmetry and the shift symmetry (in the $B$ and $A$ fields), modulo the (modified) boundary conditions.Comment: 13 pages, Latex, references adde

Tensionless strings: physical Fock space and higher spin fields

I study the physical Fock space of the tensionless string theory with perimeter action, exploring its new gauge symmetry algebra. The cancellation of conformal anomaly requires the space-time to be 13-dimensional. All particles are massless and there are no tachyon states in the spectrum. The zero mode conformal operator defines the levels of the physical Fock space. All levels can be classified by the highest Casimir operator W of the little group E(11) for massless particles in 11-dimensions. The ground state is infinitely degenerated and contains massless gauge fields of arbitrary large integer spin, realizing the irreducible representations of E(11) of fixed helicity. The excitation levels realize CSR representations of little group E(11) with an infinite number of helicities. After inspection of the first excitation level, which, as I prove, is a physical null state, I conjecture that all excitation levels are physical null states. In this theory the tensor field of the second rank does not play any distinctive role and therefore one can suggest that in this model there is no gravity.Comment: 22 pages, Latex, references adde

N=1 supersymmetric sigma model with boundaries, I

We study an N=1 two-dimensional non-linear sigma model with boundaries representing, e.g., a gauge fixed open string. We describe the full set of boundary conditions compatible with N=1 superconformal symmetry. The problem is analyzed in two different ways: by studying requirements for invariance of the action, and by studying the conserved supercurrent. We present the target space interpretation of these results, and identify the appearance of partially integrable almost product structures.Comment: 24 pages, LaTeX. v2: minor clarification in section 3.2, reference added. v3: section added on N=2 supersymmetry. v4: typos corrected, published versio

Quite a Character: The Spectrum of Yang-Mills on S^3

We introduce a simple method to extract the representation content of the spectrum of a system with SU(2) symmetry from its partition function. The method is easily generalized to systems with SO(2,4) symmetry, such as conformal field theories in four dimensions. As a specific application we obtain an explicit generating function for the representation content of free planar Yang-Mills theory on S^3. The extension to N = 4 super Yang-Mills is also discussed.Comment: Based on a Brown University undergraduate thesis, 12 page

Normal ordering and boundary conditions for fermionic string coordinates

We build up normal ordered products for fermionic open string coordinates consistent with boundary conditions. The results are obtained considering the presence of antisymmetric tensor fields. We find a discontinuity of the normal ordered products at string endpoints even in the absence of the background. We discuss how the energy momentum tensor also changes at the world-sheet boundary in such a way that the central charge keeps the standard value at string end points.Comment: In this revised version we clarify the issue of consistency between supersymmetry and boundary conditions and stress the fact that we are considering flat space. we also add two more reference

Fermionic anticommutators for open superstrings in the presence of antisymmetric tensor field

We build up the anticommutator algebra for the fermionic coordinates of open superstrings attached to branes with antisymmetric tensor fields. We use both Dirac quantization and the symplectic Faddeev Jackiw approach. In the symplectic case we find a way of generating the boundary conditions as zero modes of the symplectic matrix by taking a discretized form of the action and adding terms that vanish in the continuous limit. This way boundary conditions can be handled as constraints.Comment: Revision: passage from discrete to continuous clarified, comment on previous results using Dirac quantization included, typos corrected. Version to appear in Phys. Lett.

3-D Interacting CFTs and Generalized Higgs Phenomenon in Higher Spin Theories on AdS

We study a duality, recently conjectured by Klebanov and Polyakov, between higher-spin theories on AdS_4 and O(N) vector models in 3-d. These theories are free in the UV and interacting in the IR. At the UV fixed point, the O(N) model has an infinite number of higher-spin conserved currents. In the IR, these currents are no longer conserved for spin s>2. In this paper, we show that the dual interpretation of this fact is that all fields of spin s>2 in AdS_4 become massive by a Higgs mechanism, that leaves the spin-2 field massless. We identify the Higgs field and show how it relates to the RG flow connecting the two CFTs, which is induced by a double trace deformation.Comment: 8 pages, latex; v2 references adde