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arXiv · 1712.07186

Wilson loops in antisymmetric representations from localization in supersymmetric gauge theories

Jorge Russo·Konstantin Zarembo
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Abstract

Large-N phase transitions occurring in massive N=2 theories can be probed by Wilson loops in large antisymmetric representations. The logarithm of the Wilson loop is effectively described by the free energy of a Fermi distribution and exhibits second-order phase transitions (discontinuities in the second derivatives) as the size of representation varies. We illustrate the general features of antisymmetric Wilson loops on a number of examples where the phase transitions are known to occur: N=2 SQCD with various mass arrangements and N=2* theory. As a byproduct we solve planar N=2 SQCD with three independent mass parameters. This model has two effective mass scales and undergoes two phase transitions.

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Jorge Russo, Konstantin Zarembo. 2017-12-19. Wilson loops in antisymmetric representations from localization in supersymmetric gauge theories. https://doi.org/10.1142/s0129055x18400147

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