The "Dual" Variables Of Yang-Mills Theory And Local Gauge Invariant Variables

After adding auxiliary fields and integrating out the original variables, the Yang-Mills action can be expressed in terms of local gauge invariant variables. This method reproduces the known solution of the two dimensional $SU(N)$ theory. In more than two dimensions the action splits into a topological part and a part proportional to $\alpha_s$. We demonstrate the procedure for $SU(2)$ in three dimensions where we reproduce a gravity-like theory. We discuss the four dimensional case as well. We use a cubic expression in the fields as a space-time metric to obtain a covariant Lagrangian. We also show how the four-dimensional $SU(2)$ theory can be expressed in terms of a local action with six degrees of freedom only.Comment: 34pp, LaTeX, Corrections in reference

On Duality Rotations in Light-Like Noncommutative Electromagnetism

We study electric-magnetic duality rotations for noncommutative electromagnetism (NCEM). We express NCEM as a nonlinear commutative U(1) gauge theory and show that it is self-dual when the noncommutativity parameter \theta is light-like (e.g. \theta^{0i}=\theta^{1i}). This implies, in the slowly varying field approximation, self-duality of NCEM to all orders in \theta.Comment: Talk given at Euroconference on Brane New World and Noncommutative Geometry, Villa Gualino, Torino, Italy, 2-7 Oct 2000. 8 pages, LaTe

The orbifold-string theories of permutation-type: II. Cycle dynamics and target space-time dimensions

We continue our discussion of the general bosonic prototype of the new orbifold-string theories of permutation type. Supplementing the extended physical-state conditions of the previous paper, we construct here the extended Virasoro generators with cycle central charge $\hat{c}_j(\sigma)=26f_j(\sigma)$, where $f_j(\sigma)$ is the length of cycle $j$ in twisted sector $\sigma$. We also find an equivalent, reduced formulation of each physical-state problem at reduced cycle central charge $c_j(\sigma)=26$. These tools are used to begin the study of the target space-time dimension $\hat{D}_j(\sigma)$ of cycle $j$ in sector $\sigma$, which is naturally defined as the number of zero modes (momenta) of each cycle. The general model-dependent formulae derived here will be used extensively in succeeding papers, but are evaluated in this paper only for the simplest case of the "pure" permutation orbifolds.Comment: 32 page

A brief review of "little string theories"

This is a brief review of the current state of knowledge on "little string theories", which are non-gravitational theories having several string-like properties. We focus on the six dimensional maximally supersymmetric "little string theories" and describe their definition, some of their simple properties, the motivations for studying them, the DLCQ and holographic constructions of these theories and their behaviour at finite energy density. (Contribution to the proceedings of Strings '99 in Potsdam, Germany.)Comment: 11 pages, contribution to Strings '99 proceeding

Towards Deconstruction of the Type D (2,0) Theory

We propose a four-dimensional supersymmetric theory that deconstructs, in a particular limit, the six-dimensional $(2,0)$ theory of type $D_k$. This 4d theory is defined by a necklace quiver with alternating gauge nodes $\mathrm{O}(2k)$ and $\mathrm{Sp}(k)$. We test this proposal by comparing the 6d half-BPS index to the Higgs branch Hilbert series of the 4d theory. In the process, we overcome several technical difficulties, such as Hilbert series calculations for non-complete intersections, and the choice of $\mathrm{O}$ versus $\mathrm{SO}$ gauge groups. Consistently, the result matches the Coulomb branch formula for the mirror theory upon reduction to 3d