R-Current Correlators in N=4 Super Yang-Mills Theory from Anti-de Sitter Supergravity

We test the conjectured relationship between N=4 super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions and IIB supergravity compactified on $AdS_5\times S_5$ by computing the two- and three-point functions of R-symmetry currents. We observe that the integral expressions describing the general three-point correlator on the supergravity side have a structure similar to one-loop triangle diagrams in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory. This allows us to compare the expressions on both sides of the AdS/CFT correspondence without the technical complications of the loop integrations. We confirm that the two- and three-point correspondence arises at only one-loop in the N=4 super Yang-Mills theory. Higher-point functions as well as further three-point functions may be analyzed similarly.Comment: 24 pages, latex, minor corrections, publication in NP

The Gravitational Action in Asymptotically AdS and Flat Spacetimes

The divergences of the gravitational action are analyzed for spacetimes that are asymptotically anti-de Sitter and asymptotically flat. The gravitational action is rendered finite using a local counterterm prescription, and the relation of this method to the traditional reference spacetime is discussed. For AdS, an iterative procedure is devised that determines the counterterms efficiently. For asymptotically flat space, we use a different method to derive counterterms which are sufficient to remove divergences in most cases.Comment: 25 pages; v2: one paragraph added, refs update

Regularisation of non-local actions in two-dimensional field theories

Taking the induced action for gauge fields coupled to affine currents as an example, we show how loop calculations in non-local two-dimensional field theories can be regulated. Our regularisation method for one loop is based on the method of Pauli and Villars. We use it to calculate the renormalisation factors for the corresponding effective actions, clearing up some discrepancies in the literature. In particular, it will be shown explicitly that vector gauge transformation invariance and Haar invariance of functional integral measures impose different requirements, but they are related by a counterterm (which is local in terms of group variables). For higher loops, we use the method of covariant derivatives combined with Pauli-Villars to argue that the one loop result remains unaltered.Comment: 29 pp, LATEX, LBL-33777, UCB-PTH-93/08, KUL-TF-93/2

The D2-D6 System and a Fibered AdS Geometry

The system of D2 branes localized on or near D6 branes is considered. The world-volume theory on the D2 branes is investigated, using its conjectured relation to the near-horizon geometry. The results are in agreement with known facts and expectations for the corresponding field theory and a rich phase structure is obtained as a function of the energy scale and the number of branes. In particular, for an intermediate range of the number of D6 branes, the IR geometry is that of an AdS_4 space fibered over a compact space. This D2-D6 system is compared to other systems, related to it by compactification and duality and it is shown that the qualitative differences have compatible explanations in the geometric and field-theoretic descriptions. Another system -- that of NS5 branes located at D6 branes -- is also briefly studied, leading to a similar phase structure.Comment: 35 pages (Latex) and 2 figures (encapsulated postscript). Ver2: added discussion of the relation to the system without D6 branes (in the introduction and in figure 1); added description of the geometrical realization of the R symmetries (in section 3.1

On the Lagrangian Realization of Non-Critical W{\cal W}-Strings

A large class of non-critical string theories with extended worldsheet gauge symmetry are described by two coupled, gauged Wess-Zumino-Witten Models. We give a detailed analysis of the gauge invariant action and in particular the gauge fixing procedure and the resulting BRST symmetries. The results are applied to the example of ${\cal W}_3$ strings.Comment: 19 pages, LaTeX (REVTEX macro's