arXiv subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A. Armoni.
We consider the dynamics of a strongly coupled SU(N) chiral gauge theory. By using its large-N equivalence with N=1 super-Yang-Mills theory we find the vacuum structure of the former. We also consider its finite-N dynamics.
We discuss the fate of the Z2 symmetry and the vacuum structure in an SU(N)xSU(N) gauge theory with one bifundamental Dirac fermion. This theory can be obtained from SU(2N) supersymmetric Yang--Mills (SYM) theory by virtue of Z2 orbifolding. We analyze dynamics of domain walls and argue that the Z2 symmetry is spontaneously broken. Since unbroken Z2 is a necessary condition for nonperturbative planar equivalence we conclude that the orbifold daughter is nonperturbatively nonequivalent to its supersymmetric parent. En route, our investigation reveals the existence of fractional domain walls, similar to fractional D-branes of string theory on orbifolds. We conjecture on the fate of these domain walls in the true solution of the Z2-broken orbifold theory. We also comment on relation with nonsupersymmetric string theories and closed-string tachyon condensation.
We outline a full non-perturbative proof of planar (large-N) equivalence between bosonic correlators in a theory with Majorana fermions in the adjoint representation and one with Dirac fermions in the two-index (anti)symmetric representation. In a particular case (one flavor), this reduces to our previous result - planar equivalence between super-Yang--Mills theory and a non-supersymmetric ``orientifold field theory.'' The latter theory becomes one-flavor massless QCD at N=3.
We discuss a nonperturbative relation for orientifold parent/daughter pairs of supersymmetric theories with an arbitrary tree-level superpotential. We show that super-Yang-Mills (SYM) theory with matter in the adjoint representation at N-->infinity, is equivalent to a SYM theory with matter in the antisymmetric representation and a related superpotential. The gauge symmetry breaking patterns match in these theories too. The moduli spaces in the limiting case of a vanishing superpotential are also discussed. Finally we argue that there is an exact mapping between the effective superpotentials of two finite-N theories belonging to an orientifold pair.
We review and extend our recent work on the planar (large N) equivalence between gauge theories with varying degree of supersymmetry. The main emphasis is made on the planar equivalence between N=1 gluodynamics (super-Yang-Mills theory) and a non-supersymmetric "orientifold field theory." We outline an "orientifold" large N expansion, analyze its possible phenomenological consequences in one-flavor massless QCD, and make a first attempt at extending the correspondence to three massless flavors. An analytic calculation of the quark condensate in one-flavor QCD starting from the gluino condensate in N=1 gluodynamics is thoroughly discussed. We also comment on a planar equivalence involving N=2 supersymmetry, on "chiral rings" in non-supersymmetric theories, and on the origin of planar equivalence from an underlying, non-tachyonic type-0 string theory. Finally, possible further directions of investigation, such as the gauge/gravity correspondence in large-N orientifold field theory, are briefly discussed.
We suggest a new large-N_c limit for multi flavor QCD. Since fundamental and two-index antisymmetric representations are equivalent in SU(3), we have the option to define SU(N_c) QCD keeping quarks in the latter. We can then define a new 1/N_c expansion (at fixed number of flavors N_f) that shares appealing properties with the topological (fixed N_f/N_c) expansion while being more suitable for theoretical analysis. In particular, for N_f=1, our large-N_c limit gives a theory that we recently proved to be equivalent, in the bosonic sector, to N=1 supersymmetric gluodynamics. Using known properties of the latter, we derive several qualitative and semi-quantitative predictions for N_f=1 massless QCD which can be easily tested in lattice simulations. Finally, we comment on possible applications for pure SU(3) Yang-Mills theory and real QCD.
We estimate the quark condensate in one-flavor massless QCD from the known value of the gluino condensate in SUSY Yang-Mills theory using our newly proposed "orientifold" large-N expansion. The numerical result for the quark condensate renormalized at the scale 2 GeV is then given as a function of alpha_s(2 GeV) and of possible corrections from sub-leading terms. Our value can be compared with the quark condensate in (quenched) lattice QCD or with the one extracted from the Gell-Mann--Oakes--Renner relation by virtue of non-lattice determinations of the quark masses. In both cases we find quite a remarkable agreement.
We discuss k-strings in the large-N Yang-Mills theory and its supersymmetric extension. Whereas the tension of the bona fide (stable) QCD string is expected to depend only on the N-ality of the representation, tensions that depend on specific representation R are often reported in the lattice literature. In particular, adjoint strings are discussed and found in certain simulations. We clarify this issue by systematically exploiting the notion of the quasi-stable strings which becomes well-defined at large N. The quasi-stable strings with representation-dependent tensions decay, but the decay rate (per unit length per unit time) is suppressed as Lambda^2 F(N) where F(N) falls off as a function of N. It can be determined on the case-by-case basis. The quasi-stable strings eventually decay into stable strings whose tension indeed depends only on the N-ality. We also briefly review large-N arguments showing why the Casimir formula for the string tension cannot be correct, and present additional arguments in favor of the sine formula. Finally, we comment on the relevance of our estimates to Euclidean lattice measurements.
We discuss domain walls and vacuum energy density (cosmological constant) in N=1 gluodynamics and in non-supersymmetric large N orientifold field theories which have been recently shown to be planar equivalent (in the boson sector) to N=1 gluodynamics. A relation between the vanishing force between two parallel walls and vanishing cosmological constant is pointed out. This relation may explain why the cosmological constant vanishes in the orientifold field theory at leading order although the hadronic spectrum of this theory does not contain fermions in the limit N-->infinity. The cancellation is among even and odd parity bosonic contributions, due to NS-NS and R-R cancellations in the annulus amplitude of the underlying string theory. We use the open-closed string channel duality to describe interaction between the domain walls which is interpreted as the exchange of composite ``dilatons'' and ``axions'' coupled to the walls. Finally, we study some planar equivalent pairs in which both theories in the parent-daughter pair are non-supersymmetric.
We discuss the k dependence of the k-string tension sigma_k in SU(N) supersymmetric gluodynamics. As well known, at large N the k-string consists, to leading order, of k noninteracting fundamental strings, so that sigma_k=k sigma_1. We argue, both from field-theory and string-theory side, that subleading corrections to this formula run in powers of 1/N^2 rather than 1/N, thus excluding the Casimir scaling. We suggest a heuristic model allowing one to relate the k-string tension in four-dimensional gluodynamics with the tension of the BPS domain walls (k-walls). In this model the domain walls are made of a net of strings connected to each other by baryon vertices. The relation emerging in this way leads to the sine formula sigma_ k ~ Lambda^2 N sin pi k/N. We discuss possible corrections to the sine law, and present arguments that they are suppressed by 1/k factors. We explain why the sine law does not hold in two dimensions. Finally, we discuss the applicability of the sine formula for non-supersymmetric orientifold field theories.
We consider non-supersymmetric large N orientifold field theories. Specifically, we discuss a gauge theory with a Dirac fermion in the anti-symmetric tensor representation. We argue that, at large N and in a large part of its bosonic sector, this theory is non-perturbatively equivalent to N=1 SYM, so that exact results established in the latter (parent) theory also hold in the daughter orientifold theory. In particular, the non-supersymmetric theory has an exactly calculable bifermion condensate, exactly degenerate parity doublets, and a vanishing cosmological constant (all this to leading order in 1/N).
We study semiclassical rotating strings in AdS/CFT backgrounds that exhibit both confinement and finite-size effects. The energy versus spin dispersion relation for short strings is the expected Regge trajectory behaviour, with the same string tension as is measured by the Wilson loop. Long strings probe the interplay between confinement and finite-size effects. In particular, the dispersion relation for long strings shows a characteristic dependence on the string tension and the finite-size scale.
Following Gubser, Klebanov and Polyakov [hep-th/0204051], we study strings in AdS black hole backgrounds. With respect to the pure AdS case, rotating strings are replaced by orbiting strings. We interpret these orbiting strings as CFT states of large spin similar to glueballs propagating through a gluon plasma. The energy and the spin of the orbiting string configurations are associated with the energy and the spin of states in the dual finite temperature N=4 SYM theory. We analyse in particular the limiting cases of short and long strings. Moreover, we perform a thermodynamic study of the angular momentum transfer from the glueball to the plasma by considering string orbits around rotating AdS black holes. We find that standard expectations, such as the complete thermal dissociation of the glueball, are borne out after subtle properties of rotating AdS black holes are taken into account.
We discuss the spectra of multi-flavor massless QCD_2. An approximation in which the Hilbert space is truncated to two currents states is used. We write down a 't Hooft like equation for the wave function of the two currents states. We solve this equation for the lowest massive state and find an excellent agreement with the DLCQ results. In addition, the 't Hooft model and the large N_f limit spectra are re-derived by using a description in terms of currents.
We review and elaborate on properties of the string tension in two-dimensional gauge theories. The first model we consider is massive QED in the $m\ll e$ limit. We evaluate the leading string tension both in the fermionic and bosonized descriptions. We discuss the next to leading corrections in $m/e$. The next-to-leading terms in the long distance behavior of the quark-antiquark potential, are evaluated in a certain region of external versus dynamical charges. The finite temperature behavior is also determined. In $QCD_2$ we review the results for the string tension of quarks in cases with dynamical quarks in the fundamental, adjoint, symmetric and antisymmetric representations. The screening nature of $SYM_2$ is re-derived.
We show that the string tension in N=1 two-dimensional super Yang-Mills theory vanishes independently of the representation of the quark anti-quark external source. We argue that this result persists in SQCD_2 and in two-dimensional gauge theories with extended supersymmetry or in chiral invariant models with at least one massless dynamical fermion. We also compute the string tension for the massive Schwinger model, as a demonstration of the method of the calculation.
We use type IIB brane configurations which were recently suggested by Hanany and Zaffaroni to study four dimensional N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories. We calculate the one loop beta function and realize Seiberg's duality using a particular configuration. We also comment on the anomaly cancelation condition in the case of chiral theories and the beta function in the case of chiral and SO/Sp theories.
Massless $QCD_2$ is dominated by classical configurations in the large $N_f$ limit. We use this observation to study the theory by finding solutions to equations of motion, which are the non-Abelian generalization of the Schwinger equation. We find that the spectrum consists of massive mesons with $M^2={e^2 N_f\over 2π}$ which correspond to Abelian solutions. We generalize previously discovered non-Abelian solutions and discuss their interpretation. We prove a no-go theorem ruling out the existence of soliton solutions. Thus the semi-classical approximation shows no baryons in the case of massless quarks, a result derived before in the strong-coupling limit only.