Complex WKB Analysis of a PT Symmetric Eigenvalue Problem

The spectra of a particular class of PT symmetric eigenvalue problems has previously been studied, and found to have an extremely rich structure. In this paper we present an explanation for these spectral properties in terms of quantisation conditions obtained from the complex WKB method. In particular, we consider the relation of the quantisation conditions to the reality and positivity properties of the eigenvalues. The methods are also used to examine further the pattern of eigenvalue degeneracies observed by Dorey et al. in [1,2].Comment: 22 pages, 13 figures. Added references, minor revision

A New 2d/4d Duality via Integrability

We prove a duality, recently conjectured in arXiv:1103.5726, which relates the F-terms of supersymmetric gauge theories defined in two and four dimensions respectively. The proof proceeds by a saddle point analysis of the four-dimensional partition function in the Nekrasov-Shatashvili limit. At special quantized values of the Coulomb branch moduli, the saddle point condition becomes the Bethe Ansatz Equation of the SL(2) Heisenberg spin chain which coincides with the F-term equation of the dual two-dimensional theory. The on-shell values of the superpotential in the two theories are shown to coincide in corresponding vacua. We also identify two-dimensional duals for a large set of quiver gauge theories in four dimensions and generalize our proof to these cases.Comment: 19 pages, 2 figures, minor corrections and references adde

Does the complex deformation of the Riemann equation exhibit shocks?

The Riemann equation $u_t+uu_x=0$, which describes a one-dimensional accelerationless perfect fluid, possesses solutions that typically develop shocks in a finite time. This equation is \cP\cT symmetric. A one-parameter \cP\cT-invariant complex deformation of this equation, $u_t-iu(iu_x)^\epsilon= 0$ ($\epsilon$ real), is solved exactly using the method of characteristic strips, and it is shown that for real initial conditions, shocks cannot develop unless $\epsilon$ is an odd integer.Comment: latex, 8 page

Adding flavor to Dijkgraaf-Vafa

We study matrix models related via the correspondence of Dijkgraaf and Vafa to supersymmetric gauge theories with matter in the fundamental. As in flavorless examples, measure factors of the matrix integral reproduce information about R-symmetry violation in the field theory. The models, studied previously as models of open strings, exhibit a large-M phase transition as the number of flavors is varied. This is the matrix model's manifestation of the end of asymptotic freedom. Using the relation to a quiver gauge theory, we extract the effective glueball superpotential and Seiberg-Witten curve from the matrix model.Comment: 15 pages, harvmac; improved analysis of the healing of cuts, added calculation of superpotential, improved referencing and notatio

Spectral zeta functions of a 1D Schr\"odinger problem

We study the spectral zeta functions associated to the radial Schr\"odinger problem with potential V(x)=x^{2M}+alpha x^{M-1}+(lambda^2-1/4)/x^2. Using the quantum Wronskian equation, we provide results such as closed-form evaluations for some of the second zeta functions i.e. the sum over the inverse eigenvalues squared. Also we discuss how our results can be used to derive relationships and identities involving special functions, using a particular 5F_4 hypergeometric series as an example. Our work is then extended to a class of related PT-symmetric eigenvalue problems. Using the fused quantum Wronskian we give a simple method for calculating the related spectral zeta functions. This method has a number of applications including the use of the ODE/IM correspondence to compute the (vacuum) nonlocal integrals of motion G_n which appear in an associated integrable quantum field theory.Comment: 15 pages, version

Identification of observables in quantum toboggans

Quantum systems with real energies generated by an apparently non-Hermitian Hamiltonian may re-acquire the consistent probabilistic interpretation via an ad hoc metric which specifies the set of observables in the updated Hilbert space of states. The recipe is extended here to quantum toboggans. In the first step the tobogganic integration path is rectified and the Schroedinger equation is given the generalized eigenvalue-problem form. In the second step the general double-series representation of the eligible metric operators is derived.Comment: 25 p

From Marginal Deformations to Confinement

We consider type IIB supergravity backgrounds which describe marginal deformations of the Coulomb branch of N=4 super Yang-Mills theory with SO(4) x SO(2) global symmetry. Wilson loop calculations indicate that certain deformations enhance the Coulombic attraction between quarks and anti-quarks at the UV conformal fixed-point. In the IR region, these deformations can induce a transition to linear confinement.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, minor corrections, comments and references adde

Exact Superpotentials for Theories with Flavors via a Matrix Integral

We extend and test the method of Dijkgraaf and Vafa for computing the superpotential of N=1 theories to include flavors in the fundamental representation of the gauge group. This amounts to computing the contribution to the superpotential from surfaces with one boundary in the matrix integral. We compute exactly the effective superpotential for the case of gauge group U(N_c), N_f massive flavor chiral multiplets in the fundamental and one massive chiral multiplet in the adjoint, together with a Yukawa coupling. We compare up to sixth-order with the result obtained by standard field theory techniques in the already non trivial case of N_c=2 and N_f=1. The agreement is perfect.Comment: 7 pages, v2: typos involving signs fixed; v3: version to appear in Phys.Rev.

Scattering in the PT-symmetric Coulomb potential

Scattering on the ${\cal PT}$-symmetric Coulomb potential is studied along a U-shaped trajectory circumventing the origin in the complex $x$ plane from below. This trajectory reflects ${\cal PT}$ symmetry, sets the appropriate boundary conditions for bound states and also allows the restoration of the correct sign of the energy eigenvalues. Scattering states are composed from the two linearly independent solutions valid for non-integer values of the 2L parameter, which would correspond to the angular momentum in the usual Hermitian setting. Transmission and reflection coefficients are written in closed analytic form and it is shown that similarly to other ${\cal PT}$-symmetric scattering systems the latter exhibit handedness effect. Bound-state energies are recovered from the poles of the transmission coefficients.Comment: Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical 42 (2009) to appea

Effect of Wavefunction Renormalisation in N-Flavour Qed3 at Finite Temperature

A recent study of dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in N-flavour QED$_3$ at finite temperature is extended to include the effect of fermion wavefunction renormalisation in the Schwinger-Dyson equations. The simple ``zero-frequency'' truncation previously used is found to lead to unphysical results, especially as $T \to 0$. A modified set of equations is proposed, whose solutions behave in a way which is qualitatively similar to the $T=0$ solutions of Pennington et al. [5-8] who have made extensive studies of the effect of wavefunction renormalisation in this context, and who concluded that there was no critical $N_c$ (at T=0) above which chiral symmetry was restored. In contrast, we find that our modified equations predict a critical $N_c$ at $T \not= 0$, and an $N-T$ phase diagram very similar to the earlier study neglecting wavefunction renormalisation. The reason for the difference is traced to the different infrared behaviour of the vacuum polarisation at $T=0$ and at $T \not= 0$.Comment: 17 pages + 13 figures (available upon request), Oxford preprint OUTP-93-30P, IFUNAM preprint FT94-39, LaTe