arXiv subjects

Adel Bilal

Publications and source records attributed to Adel Bilal.

52 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv1996

Discontinuous BPS Spectra in N=2 Susy QCD

These notes are based on work done in collaboration with Frank Ferrari. We show how to determine the spectra of stable BPS states in $N=2$ supersymmetric $SU(2)$ Yang-Mills theories that are asymptotically free, i.e. without and with $N_f=1,2,3$ quark hypermultiplets. In all cases: $\bullet$ There is a curve of marginal stability diffeomorphic to a circle and going through all (finite) singular points of moduli space. $\bullet$ The BPS spectra are discontinuous across these curves. $\bullet$ The strong-coupling spectra (inside the curves) contain only those BPS states that can become massless and are responsible for the singularities. Except for $N_f=3$, they form a multiplet (with different masses) of the broken global discrete symmetry. $\bullet$ All other semi-classical BPS states must and do decay consistently when crossing the curves. $\bullet$ The weak-coupling, i.e. semi-classical BPS spectra, contain no magnetic charges larger than one for $N_f=0,1,2$ and no magnetic charges larger than two for $N_f=3$.

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arXiv1996

Exact Multiplets of Spontaneously Broken Discrete Global Symmetries: the Example of $N=2$ Susy QCD

In these notes, we emphasize the rôle of spontaneous broken global discrete symmetries acting on the moduli space of $N=2$ susy Yang-Mills theories and show how they can be used, together with the BPS condition, as a spectrum generating symmetry. In particular, in the strong-coupling region, all BPS states come in multiplets of this broken symmetry. This played a key rôle in the determination of the strong-coupling spectra.

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arXiv1996

The Strong-Coupling Spectrum of the Seiberg-Witten Theory

We carefully study the global structure of the solution of the $N=2$ supersymmetric pure Yang-Mills theory with gauge group $SU(2)$ obtained by Seiberg and Witten. We exploit its ${\bf Z}_2$-symmetry and describe the curve in moduli space where BPS states can become unstable, separating the strong-coupling from the weak-coupling region. This allows us to obtain the spectrum of stable BPS states in the strong-coupling region: we prove that only the two particles responsible for the singularities of the solution (the magnetic monopole and the dyon of unit electric charge) are present in this region. Our method also permits us to very easily obtain the well-known weak-coupling spectrum, without using semi-classical methods. We discuss how the BPS states disintegrate when crossing the border from the weak to the strong-coupling region.

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arXiv1996

Does Coupling To Gravity Preserve Integrability ?

These are notes based on a lecture given at the Cargese summer school 1995. I describe evidence that the (two-dimensional) integrable chiral Gross-Neveu model might remain integrable when coupled to gravity. The results presented here were obtained in collaboration with Ian Kogan.

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arXiv1996

Duality in N=2 SUSY SU(2) Yang-Mills Theory: A pedagogical introduction to the work of Seiberg and Witten

These are notes from introductory lectures given at the Ecole Normale in Paris and at the Strasbourg meeting dedicated to the memory of Claude Itzykson. I review in considerable detail and in a hopefully pedagogical way the work of Seiberg and Witten on $N=2$ supersymmetric $SU(2)$ gauge theory without extra matter. This presentation basically follows their original work, except in the last section where the low-energy effective action is obtained emphasizing more the relation between monodromies and differential equations rather than using elliptic curves.

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arXiv1995

Consistent string backgrounds and completely integrable 2D field theories

After reviewing the $β$-function equations for consistent string backgrounds in the $σ$-model approach, including metric and antisymmetric tensor, dilaton and tachyon potential, we apply this formalism to WZW models. We particularly emphasize the case where the WZW model is perturbed by an integrable marginal tachyon potential operator leading to the non-abelian Toda theories. Already in the simplest such theory, there is a large non-linear and non-local chiral algebra that extends the Virasoro algebra. This theory is shown to have two formulations, one being a classical reduction of the other. Only the non-reduced theory is shown to satisfy the $β$-function equations.

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arXiv1995

ON GRAVITATIONAL DRESSING OF 2D FIELD THEORIES IN CHIRAL GAUGE

After giving a pedagogical review of the chiral gauge approach to 2D gravity, with particular emphasis on the derivation of the gravitational Ward identities, we discuss in some detail the interpretation of matter correlation functions coupled to gravity in chiral gauge. We argue that in chiral gauge no {\it explicit} gravitational dressing factor, analogue to the Liouville exponential in conformal gauge, is necessary for left-right symmetric matter operators. In particular, we examine the gravitationally dressed four-point correlation function of products of left and right fermions. We solve the corresponding gravitational Ward identity exactly: in the presence of gravity this four-point function exhibits a logarithmic short-distance singularity, instead of the power-law singularity in the absence of gravity. This rather surprising effect is non-perturbative in the gravitational coupling and is a sign for logarithms in the gravitationally dressed operator product expansions. We also discuss some perturbative evidence that the chiral Gross-Neveu model may remain integrable when coupled to gravity.

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arXiv1995

NON-LOCAL EXTENSIONS OF THE CONFORMAL ALGEBRA : MATRIX $W$-ALGEBRAS, MATRIX KdV-HIERARCHIES AND NON-ABELIAN TODA THEORIES,

In the present contribution, I report on certain {\it non-linear} and {\it non-local} extensions of the conformal (Virasoro) algebra. These so-called $V$-algebras are matrix generalizations of $W$-algebras. First, in the context of two-dimensional field theory, I discuss the non-abelian Toda model which possesses three conserved (chiral) ``currents". The Poisson brackets of these ``currents" give the simplest example of a $V$-algebra. The classical solutions of this model provide a free-field realization of the $V$-algebra. Then I show that this $V$-algebra is identical to the second Gelfand-Dikii symplectic structure on the manifold of $2\times 2$-matrix Schrödinger operators $L=-\d^2+U$ (with $\trσ_3 U=0$). This provides a relation with matrix KdV-hierarchies and allows me to obtain an infinite family of conserved charges (Hamiltonians in involution). Finally, I work out the general $V_{n,m}$-algebras as symplectic structures based on $n\times n$-matrix $m^{\rm th}$-order differential operators $L=-\d^m +U_2\d^{m-2}+U_3 \d^{m-3}+\ldots +U_m$. It is the absence of $U_1$, together with the non-commutativity of matrices that leads to the non-local terms in the $V_{n,m}$-algebras. I show that the conformal properties are similar to those of $W_m$-algebras, while the complete $V_{n,m}$-algebras are much more complicated, as is shown on the explicit example of $V_{n,3}$.

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arXiv1994

Gravitationally Dressed Conformal Field Theory and Emergence of Logarithmic Operators

We study correlation functions in two-dimensional conformal field theory coupled to induced gravity in the light-cone gauge. Focussing on the fermion four-point function, we display an unexpected non-perturbative singularity structure: coupling to gravity {\it qualitatively} changes the perturbative $(x_1-x_2)^{-1}(x_3-x_4)^{-1}$ singularity into a logarithmic one plus a non-singular piece. We argue that this is related to the appearence of new logarithmic operators in the gravitationally dressed operator product expansions. We also show some evidence that non-conformal but integrable models may remain integrable when coupled to gravity.

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arXiv1994

Non-Local Matrix Generalizations of W-Algebras

There is a standard way to define two symplectic (hamiltonian) structures, the first and second Gelfand-Dikii brackets, on the space of ordinary linear differential operators of order $m$, $L = -d^m + U_1 d^{m-1} + U_2 d^{m-2} + \ldots + U_m$. In this paper, I consider in detail the case where the $U_k$ are $n\times n$-matrix-valued functions, with particular emphasis on the (more interesting) second Gelfand-Dikii bracket. Of particular interest is the reduction to the symplectic submanifold $U_1=0$. This reduction gives rise to matrix generalizations of (the classical version of) the {\it non-linear} $W_m$-algebras, called $V_{m,n}$-algebras. The non-commutativity of the matrices leads to {\it non-local} terms in these $V_{m,n}$-algebras. I show that these algebras contain a conformal Virasoro subalgebra and that combinations $W_k$ of the $U_k$ can be formed that are $n\times n$-matrices of conformally primary fields of spin $k$, in analogy with the scalar case $n=1$. In general however, the $V_{m,n}$-algebras have a much richer structure than the $W_m$-algebras as can be seen on the examples of the {\it non-linear} and {\it non-local} Poisson brackets of any two matrix elements of $U_2$ or $W_3$ which I work out explicitly for all $m$ and $n$. A matrix Miura transformation is derived, mapping these complicated second Gelfand-Dikii brackets of the $U_k$ to a set of much simpler Poisson brackets, providing the analogue of the free-field realization of the $W_m$-algebras.

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arXiv1994

Multi-Component KdV Hierarchy, V-Algebra and Non-Abelian Toda Theory

I prove the recently conjectured relation between the $2\times 2$-matrix differential operator $L=\partial^2-U$, and a certain non-linear and non-local Poisson bracket algebra ($V$-algebra), containing a Virasoro subalgebra, which appeared in the study of a non-abelian Toda field theory. Here, I show that this $V$-algebra is precisely given by the second Gelfand-Dikii bracket associated with $L$. The Miura transformation is given which relates the second to the first Gelfand-Dikii bracket. The two Gelfand-Dikii brackets are also obtained from the associated (integro-) differential equation satisfied by fermion bilinears. The asymptotic expansion of the resolvent of $(L-ξ)Ψ=0$ is studied and its coefficients $R_l$ yield an infinite sequence of hamiltonians with mutually vanishing Poisson brackets. I recall how this leads to a matrix KdV hierarchy which are flow equations for the three component fields $T, V^+, V^-$ of $U$. For $V^\pm=0$ they reduce to the ordinary KdV hierarchy. The corresponding matrix mKdV equations are also given, as well as the relation to the pseudo- differential operator approach. Most of the results continue to hold if $U$ is a hermitian $n\times n$-matrix. Conjectures are made about $n\times n$-matrix $m^{\rm th}$-order differential operators $L$ and associated $V_{(n,m)}$-algebras.

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arXiv1993

Non Abelian Toda Theory : A Completely Integrable Model for Strings on a Black Hole Background

The present paper studies a completely integrable conformally invariant model in 1+1 dimensions that corresponds to string propagation on the two-dimensional black hole background (semi-ininite cigar). Besides the two space-time string fields there is a third (internal) field with a very specific Liouville-type interaction leading to the complete integrability. This system is known as non-abelian Toda theory. I give the general explicit classical solution. It realizes a rather involved transformation expressing the interacting string fields in terms of (three) functions $φ_j(u)$ and $\barφ_j(v)$ of one light-cone variable only. The latter are shown to lead to standard harmonic oscillator (free field) Poisson brackets thus paving the way towards quantization. There are three left-moving and three right-moving conserved quantities. The right (left)-moving conserved quantities form a new closed non-linear, non-local Poisson bracket algebra. This algebra is a Virasoro algebra extended by two conformal dimension-two primaries.

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arXiv1993

Aspects of Exactly Solvable Quantum-Corrected 2D Dilaton Gravity Theories

After reviewing the basic aspects of the exactly solvable quantum-corrected dilaton-gravity theories in two dimensions, we discuss a (subjective) selection of other aspects: a) supersymmetric extensions, b) canonical formalism, ADM-mass, and the functional integral measure, and c) a positive energy theorem and its application to the ADM- and Bondi-masses.

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arXiv1993

Positive Energy Theorem and Supersymmetry in Exactly Solvable Quantum-Corrected 2D Dilaton-Gravity

Extending the work of Park and Strominger, we prove a positive energy theorem for the exactly solvable quantum-corrected 2D dilaton gravity theories. The positive energy functional we construct is shown to be unique (within a reasonably broad class of such functionals). For field configurations asymptotic to the LDV we show that this energy functional (if defined on a space-like surface) yields the usual (classical) definition of the ADM mass {\it plus a certain ``quantum"-correction. If defined on a null surface the energy functional yields the Bondi mass. The latter is evaluated careflly and applied to the RST shock-wave scenario where it is shown to behave as physically expected. Motivated by the existence of a positivity theorem we construct manifestly supersymmetric (semiclassical) extensions of these quantum-corrected dilaton-gravity theories.

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arXiv1992

Liouville Models of Black Hole Evaporation

We construct new theories of dilation gravity coupled to conformal matter which are exact $c=26$ conformal field theories and presumably consistent frameworks for discussing black hole physics in two dimensions. They differ from the CGHS equations in the precise dilaton dependence of the cosmological constant. A further modification proposed by Strominger with a view to eliminating unphysical ghost Hawking radiation is also considered. The new classical equations of motion are explicitly soluble, thus permitting an exact analysis of both static and dynamic senarios. While the static solutions are physically reasonable, the dynamical solutions include puzzling examples with wrong-sign Hawking radiation. We indicate how the latter problem may be resolved in the full quantum theory.

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arXiv1992

Remarks on the BRST-cohomology for $c_M > 1$ matter coupled to ``Liouville gravity"

We describe the (chiral) BRST-cohomology of matter with central charge $1 0$) and ghost-numbers 0 or $-1$ (for $r<0$). The (chiral) ground ring is isomorphic to a subring of the $c_M =1$ theory which is $(xy)^n,\ n=0,1,2,\ldots$, and there are {\it no} non-trivial currents acting on the ground ring. In case b) there is no non-trivial relative cohomology for non-zero ghost numbers and, for zero ghost number, the cohomology groups are isomorphic to a $(D-1)$-dimensional on-shell ``transverse" Fock space. The only exceptions are at level 1 for vanishing matter momentum and $p_L=Q_L(1+r)$ with $r=\pm 1$, where one has one more ghost-number zero and a ghost-number $r$ cohomology state. All these results follow quite easily from the existing literature.

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