Quantum Phase Transitions in Mass-Deformed ABJM Matrix Model

When mass-deformed ABJM theory is considered on S(3), the partition function of the theory localises and is given by a matrix model. We solve this model at large-N in the decompactification limit, where the radius of the three-sphere is taken to infinity. In this limit, the theory exhibits a rich phase structure with an infinite number of third-order quantum phase transitions accumulating at strong coupling.Comment: 25 pages, 9 figures; v2: references added; v3: comment on massless model adde

Higher Rank Wilson Loops in N = 2* Super-Yang-Mills Theory

The N=2* Super-Yang-Mills theory (SYM*) undergoes an infinite sequence of large-N quantum phase transitions. We compute expectation values of Wilson loops in k-symmetric and antisymmetric representations of the SU(N) gauge group in this theory and show that the same phenomenon that causes the phase transitions at finite coupling leads to a non-analytic dependence of Wilson loops on k/N when the coupling is strictly infinite, thus making the higher-representation Wilson loops ideal holographic probes of the non-trivial phase structure of SYM*.Comment: 33 pages, 6 figures. v2: a new reference adde

Integrable boundary states in D3-D5 dCFT: beyond scalars

A D3-D5 intersection gives rise to a defect CFT, wherein the rank of the gauge group jumps by k units across a domain wall. The one-point functions of local operators in this set-up map to overlaps between on-shell Bethe states in the underlying spin chain and a boundary state representing the D5 brane. Focussing on the k=1 case, we extend the construction to gluonic and fermionic sectors, which was prohibitively difficult to achieve for k>1. As a byproduct, we test an all-loop proposal for the one-point functions in the su(2) sector at the half-wrapping order of perturbation theory.Comment: 30 pages, 3 figures; v2: distinction between asymptotic and wrapping contributions clarifie

One-point Functions in Defect CFT and Integrability

We calculate planar tree level one-point functions of non-protected operators in the defect conformal field theory dual to the D3-D5 brane system with k units of the world volume flux. Working in the operator basis of Bethe eigenstates of the Heisenberg XXX_{1/2} spin chain we express the one-point functions as overlaps of these eigenstates with a matrix product state. For k=2 we obtain a closed expression of determinant form for any number of excitations, and in the case of half-filling we find a relation with the N\'eel state. In addition, we present a number of results for the limiting case of infinite k.Comment: 31 pages, 3 figures; v2: references adde

N=2* Super-Yang-Mills Theory at Strong Coupling

The planar N=2* Super-Yang-Mills (SYM) theory is solved at large 't Hooft coupling using localization on S(4). The solution permits detailed investigation of the resonance phenomena responsible for quantum phase transitions in infinite volume, and leads to quantitative predictions for the semiclassical string dual of the N=2* theory.Comment: 34 pages, 9 figures; v2: the name of one author change