32,292 research outputs found
Non-perturbative double scaling limits
Recently, the author has proposed a generalization of the matrix and vector
models approach to the theory of random surfaces and polymers. The idea is to
replace the simple matrix or vector (path) integrals by gauge theory or
non-linear sigma model (path) integrals. We explain how this solves one of the
most fundamental limitation of the classic approach: we automatically obtain
non-perturbative definitions in non-Borel summable cases. This is exemplified
on the simplest possible examples involving O(N) symmetric non-linear sigma
models with N-dimensional target spaces, for which we construct (multi)critical
metrics. The non-perturbative definitions of the double scaled, manifestly
positive, partition functions rely on remarkable identities involving (path)
integrals.Comment: 18 pages, one figur
Matrix Models, Argyres-Douglas singularities and double scaling limits
We construct an N=1 theory with gauge group U(nN) and degree n+1 tree level
superpotential whose matrix model spectral curve develops an A_{n+1}
Argyres-Douglas singularity. We evaluate the coupling constants of the
low-energy U(1)^n theory and show that the large N expansion is singular at the
Argyres-Douglas points. Nevertheless, it is possible to define appropriate
double scaling limits which are conjectured to yield four dimensional
non-critical string theories as proposed by Ferrari. In the Argyres-Douglas
limit the n-cut spectral curve degenerates into a solution with n/2 cuts for
even n and (n+1)/2 cuts for odd n.Comment: 31 pages, 1 figure; the expression of the superpotential has been
corrected and the calculation of the coupling constants of the low-energy
theory has been adde
Microscopic quantum superpotential in N=1 gauge theories
We consider the N=1 super Yang-Mills theory with gauge group U(N), adjoint
chiral multiplet X and tree-level superpotential Tr W(X). We compute the
quantum effective superpotential W_mic as a function of arbitrary off-shell
boundary conditions at infinity for the scalar field X. This effective
superpotential has a remarkable property: its critical points are in one-to-one
correspondence with the full set of quantum vacua of the theory, providing in
particular a unified picture of solutions with different ranks for the low
energy gauge group. In this sense, W_mic is a good microscopic effective
quantum superpotential for the theory. This property is not shared by other
quantum effective superpotentials commonly used in the literature, like in the
strong coupling approach or the glueball superpotentials. The result of this
paper is a first step in extending Nekrasov's microscopic derivation of the
Seiberg-Witten solution of N=2 super Yang-Mills theories to the realm of N=1
gauge theories.Comment: 23 pages, 1 figure; typos corrected, version to appear in JHE
Dynamical aspects of inextensible chains
In the present work the dynamics of a continuous inextensible chain is
studied. The chain is regarded as a system of small particles subjected to
constraints on their reciprocal distances. It is proposed a treatment of
systems of this kind based on a set Langevin equations in which the noise is
characterized by a non-gaussian probability distribution. The method is
explained in the case of a freely hinged chain. In particular, the generating
functional of the correlation functions of the relevant degrees of freedom
which describe the conformations of this chain is derived. It is shown that in
the continuous limit this generating functional coincides with a model of an
inextensible chain previously discussed by one of the authors of this work.
Next, the approach developed here is applied to a inextensible chain, called
the freely jointed bar chain, in which the basic units are small extended
objects. The generating functional of the freely jointed bar chain is
constructed. It is shown that it differs profoundly from that of the freely
hinged chain. Despite the differences, it is verified that in the continuous
limit both generating functionals coincide as it is expected.Comment: 15 pages, LaTeX 2e + various packages, 3 figures. The title has been
changed and three references have been added. A large part of the manuscript
has been rewritten to improve readability. Chapter 4 has been added. It
contains the construction of the generating functional without the
shish-kebab approximation and a new derivation of the continuous limit of the
freely jointed bar chai
Glueball operators and the microscopic approach to N=1 gauge theories
We explain how to generalize Nekrasov's microscopic approach to N=2 gauge
theories to the N=1 case, focusing on the typical example of the U(N) theory
with one adjoint chiral multiplet X and an arbitrary polynomial tree-level
superpotential Tr W(X). We provide a detailed analysis of the generalized
glueball operators and a non-perturbative discussion of the Dijkgraaf-Vafa
matrix model and of the generalized Konishi anomaly equations. We compute in
particular the non-trivial quantum corrections to the Virasoro operators and
algebra that generate these equations. We have performed explicit calculations
up to two instantons, that involve the next-to-leading order corrections in
Nekrasov's Omega-background.Comment: 38 pages, 1 figure and 1 appendix included; v2: typos and the list of
references corrected, version to appear in JHE
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