Two-dimensional Born-Infeld gauge theory: spectrum, string picture and large-N phase transition

We analyze U(N) Born-Infeld gauge theory in two spacetime dimensions. We derive the exact energy spectrum on the circle and show that it reduces to N relativistic fermions on a dual space. This contrasts to the Yang-Mills case that reduces to nonrelativistic fermions. The theory admits a string theory interpretation, analogous to the one for ordinary Yang-Mills, but with higher order string interactions. We also demonstrate that the partition function on the sphere exhibits a large-N phase transition in the area and calculate the critical area. The limit in which the dimensionless coupling of the theory goes to zero corresponds to massless fermions, admits a perturbatively exact free string interpretation and exhibits no phase transition.Comment: 19 page

Difficulties in Inducing a Gauge Theory at Large N

It is argued that the recently proposed Kazakov-Migdal model of induced gauge theory, at large $N$, involves only the zero area Wilson loops that are effectively trees in the gauge action induced by the scalars. This retains only a constant part of the gauge action excluding plaquettes or anything like them and the gauge variables drop out.Comment: 6 pages, Latex, AZPH-TH/93-01, COLO-HEP/30

Character Expansion Methods for Matrix Models of Dually Weighted Graphs

We consider generalized one-matrix models in which external fields allow control over the coordination numbers on both the original and dual lattices. We rederive in a simple fashion a character expansion formula for these models originally due to Itzykson and Di Francesco, and then demonstrate how to take the large N limit of this expansion. The relationship to the usual matrix model resolvent is elucidated. Our methods give as a by-product an extremely simple derivation of the Migdal integral equation describing the large $N$ limit of the Itzykson-Zuber formula. We illustrate and check our methods by analyzing a number of models solvable by traditional means. We then proceed to solve a new model: a sum over planar graphs possessing even coordination numbers on both the original and the dual lattice. We conclude by formulating equations for the case of arbitrary sets of even, self-dual coupling constants. This opens the way for studying the deep problem of phase transitions from random to flat lattices.Comment: 22 pages, harvmac.tex, pictex.tex. All diagrams written directly into the text in Pictex commands. (Two minor math typos corrected. Acknowledgements added.

Some New/Old Approaches to QCD

This is a talk delivered at the Meeting on Integrable Quantum Field Theories, Villa Olmo and at STRINGS 1992, Rome, September 1992. I discuss some recent attempts to revive two old ideas regarding an analytic approach to QCD-the development of a string representation of the theory and the large N limit of QCD.Comment: 20 page

Matrix Models, Complex Geometry and Integrable Systems. I

We consider the simplest gauge theories given by one- and two- matrix integrals and concentrate on their stringy and geometric properties. We remind general integrable structure behind the matrix integrals and turn to the geometric properties of planar matrix models, demonstrating that they are universally described in terms of integrable systems directly related to the theory of complex curves. We study the main ingredients of this geometric picture, suggesting that it can be generalized beyond one complex dimension, and formulate them in terms of the quasiclassical integrable systems, solved by construction of tau-functions or prepotentials. The complex curves and tau-functions of one- and two- matrix models are discussed in detail.Comment: 52 pages, 19 figures, based on several lecture courses and the talks at "Complex geometry and string theory" and the Polivanov memorial seminar; misprints corrected, references adde

High Temperature Limit of the Confining Phase

The deconfining transition in non-Abelian gauge theory is known to occur by a condensation of Wilson lines. By expanding around an appropriate Wilson line background, it is possible at large $N$ to analytically continue the confining phase to arbitrarily high temperatures, reaching a weak coupling confinement regime. This is used to study the high temperature partition function of an $SU(N)$ electric flux tube. It is found that the partition function corresponds to that of a string theory with a number of world-sheet fields that diverges at short distance.Comment: 13 page

Challenges of Matrix Models

Brief review of concepts and unsolved problems in the theory of matrix models.Comment: Contribution to Proceedings of Cargese 200

Wilson Loops and Minimal Surfaces

The AdS/CFT correspondence suggests that the Wilson loop of the large N gauge theory with N=4 supersymmetry in 4 dimensions is described by a minimal surface in AdS_5 x S^5. We examine various aspects of this proposal, comparing gauge theory expectations with computations of minimal surfaces. There is a distinguished class of loops, which we call BPS loops, whose expectation values are free from ultra-violet divergence. We formulate the loop equation for such loops. To the extent that we have checked, the minimal surface in AdS_5 x S^5 gives a solution of the equation. We also discuss the zig-zag symmetry of the loop operator. In the N=4 gauge theory, we expect the zig-zag symmetry to hold when the loop does not couple the scalar fields in the supermultiplet. We will show how this is realized for the minimal surface.Comment: 51 pages, 7 figure

Comments on operators with large spin

We consider high spin operators. We give a general argument for the logarithmic scaling of their anomalous dimensions which is based on the symmetries of the problem. By an analytic continuation we can also see the origin of the double logarithmic divergence in the Sudakov factor. We show that the cusp anomalous dimension is the energy density for a flux configuration of the gauge theory on $AdS_3 \times S^1$. We then focus on operators in ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang Mills which carry large spin and SO(6) charge and show that in a particular limit their properties are described in terms of a bosonic O(6) sigma model. This can be used to make certain all loop computations in the string theory.Comment: 33 pages, 1 figure,v2:reference to more recent work added, minor correction

Pressure effect on the in-plane magnetic penetration depth in YBa_2Cu_4O_8

We report a study of the pressure effect (PE) on the in-plane magnetic field penetration depth lambda_{ab} in YBa_2Cu_4O_8 by means of Meissner fraction measurements. A pronounced PE on lambda_{ab}^{-2}(0) was observed with a maximum relative shift of \Delta\lambda^{-2}_{ab}/\lambda^{-2}_{ab}= 44(3)% at a pressure of 10.2 kbar. It arises from the pressure dependence of the effective in-plane charge carrier mass and pressure induced charge carrier transfer from the CuO chains to the superconducting CuO_2 planes. The present results imply that the charge carriers in YBa_2Cu_4O_8 are coupled to the lattice.Comment: 4pages 3 figure