Gauge Theory of Gravity and Supergravity

We present a formulation of gravity in terms of a theory based on complex SU(2) gauge fields with a general coordinate invariant action functional quadratic in the field strength. Self-duality or anti-self-duality of the field strength emerges as a constraint from the equations of motion of this theory. This in turn leads to Einstein gravity equations for a dilaton and an axion conformally coupled to gravity for the self-dual constraint. The analysis has also been extended to N=1 and 2 super Yang-Mills theory of complex SU(2) gauge fields. This leads, besides other equations of motion, to self-duality/anti-self-duality of generalized supercovariant field-strengths. The self-dual case is then shown to yield as its solutions $N = 1, 2$ supergravity equations respectively.Comment: 27 page

Spin nematics, valence-bond solids and spin liquids in SO(NN) quantum spin models on the triangular lattice

We introduce a simple model of SO($N$) spins with two-site interactions which is amenable to quantum Monte-Carlo studies without a sign problem on non-bipartite lattices. We present numerical results for this model on the two-dimensional triangular lattice where we find evidence for a spin nematic at small $N$, a valence-bond solid (VBS) at large $N$ and a quantum spin liquid at intermediate $N$. By the introduction of a sign-free four-site interaction we uncover a rich phase diagram with evidence for both first-order and exotic continuous phase transitions

Marshall-positive SU(NN) quantum spin systems and classical loop models: A practical strategy to design sign-problem-free spin Hamiltonians

We consider bipartite SU($N$) spin Hamiltonians with a fundamental representation on one sublattice and a conjugate to fundamental on the other sublattice. By mapping these antiferromagnets to certain classical loop models in one higher dimension, we provide a practical strategy to write down a large family of SU($N$) symmetric spin Hamiltonians that satisfy Marshall's sign condition. This family includes all previously known sign-free SU($N$) spin models in this representation and in addition provides a large set of new models that are Marshall positive and can hence be studied efficiently with quantum Monte Carlo methods. As an application of our idea to the square lattice, we show that in addition to Sandvik's $Q$-term, there is an independent non-trivial four-spin $R$-term that is sign-free. Using numerical simulations, we show how the $R$-term provides a new route to the study of quantum criticality of N\'eel order

Entropy of Quantum Black Holes

In the Loop Quantum Gravity, black holes (or even more general Isolated Horizons) are described by a SU(2) Chern-Simons theory. There is an equivalent formulation of the horizon degrees of freedom in terms of a U(1) gauge theory which is just a gauged fixed version of the SU(2) theory. These developments will be surveyed here. Quantum theory based on either formulation can be used to count the horizon micro-states associated with quantum geometry fluctuations and from this the micro-canonical entropy can be obtained. We shall review the computation in SU(2) formulation. Leading term in the entropy is proportional to horizon area with a coefficient depending on the Barbero-Immirzi parameter which is fixed by matching this result with the Bekenstein-Hawking formula. Remarkably there are corrections beyond the area term, the leading one is logarithm of the horizon area with a definite coefficient -3/2, a result which is more than a decade old now. How the same results are obtained in the equivalent U(1) framework will also be indicated. Over years, this entropy formula has also been arrived at from a variety of other perspectives. In particular, entropy of BTZ black holes in three dimensional gravity exhibits the same logarithmic correction. Even in the String Theory, many black hole models are known to possess such properties. This suggests a possible universal nature of this logarithmic correction

Chern-Simons Theory, Colored-Oriented Braids and Link invariants

A method to obtain explicit and complete topological solution of SU(2) Chern-Simons theory on $S^3$ is developed. To this effect the necessary aspects of the theory of coloured-oriented braids and duality properties of conformal blocks for the correlators of $SU(2)_k$ Wess-Zumino conformal field theory are presented. A large class of representations of the generators of the groupoid of coloured-oriented braids are obtained. These provide a whole lot of new link invariants of which Jones polynomials are the simplest examples. These new invariants are explicitly calculated as illustrations for knots upto eight crossings and two-component multicoloured links upto seven crossings.Comment: 48 pages + 20 diagram

Numerical studies of various Neel-VBS transitions in SU(N) anti-ferromagnets

In this manuscript we review recent developments in the numerical simulations of bipartite SU(N) spin models by quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods. We provide an account of a large family of newly discovered sign-problem free spin models which can be simulated in their ground states on large lattices, containing O(10^5) spins, using the stochastic series expansion method with efficient loop algorithms. One of the most important applications so far of these Hamiltonians are to unbiased studies of quantum criticality between Neel and valence bond phases in two dimensions -- a summary of this body of work is provided. The article concludes with an overview of the current status of and outlook for future studies of the "designer" Hamiltonians.Comment: Mini-review article for the proceedings of CCP 2014 (Boston