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Roberto Auzzi

Publications and source records attributed to Roberto Auzzi.

48 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
arXiv2009

On the Stability of Non-Abelian Semi-local Vortices

We study the stability of non-Abelian semi-local vortices based on an N=2 supersymmetric H = [SU(Nc) x U(1)]/Z_Nc = U(Nc) gauge theory with an arbitrary number of flavors (Nf > Nc) in the fundamental representation, when certain N=1 mass terms are present, making the vortex solutions no longer BPS-saturated. Local (ANO-like) vortices are found to be stable against fluctuations in the transverse directions. Strong evidence is found that the ANO-like vortices are actually the true minima. In other words, the semi-local moduli, which are present in the BPS limit, disappear in our non-BPS system, leaving the vortex with the orientational moduli CP(Nc-1) only. We discuss the implications of this fact on the system in which the U(Nc) model arises as the low-energy approximation of an underlying e.g. G = SU(Nc+1) gauge theory.

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arXiv2008

Non-Abelian k-Vortex Dynamics in N=1^* theory and its Gravity Dual

We study magnetic flux tubes in the Higgs vacuum of the N=1^* mass deformation of SU(N_c), N=4 SYM and its large N_c string dual, the Polchinski-Strassler geometry. Choosing equal masses for the three adjoint chiral multiplets, for all N_c we identify a "colour-flavour locked" symmetry, SO(3)_{C+F} which leaves the Higgs vacuum invariant. At weak coupling, we find explicit non-Abelian k-vortex solutions carrying a Z_{N_c}-valued magnetic flux, with winding, 0 < k < N_c. These k-strings spontaneously break SO(3)_{C+F} to U(1)_{C+F} resulting in an S^2 moduli space of solutions. The world-sheet sigma model is a nonsupersymmetric CP^1 model with a theta angle θ_{1+1} = k(N_c-k)θ_{3+1} where θ_{3+1} is the Yang-Mills vacuum angle. We find numerically that k-vortex tensions follow the Casimir scaling law T_k \propto k (N_c-k) for large N_c. In the large N_c IIB string dual, the SO(3)_{C+F} symmetry is manifest in the geometry interpolating between AdS_5 x S^5 and the interior metric due to a single D5-brane carrying D3-brane charge. We identify candidate k-vortices as expanded probe D3-branes formed from a collection of k D-strings. The resulting k-vortex tension exhibits precise Casimir scaling, and the effective world-sheet theta angle matches the semiclassical result. S-duality maps the Higgs to the confining phase so that confining string tensions at strong 't Hooft coupling also exhibit Casimir scaling in N=1^* theory in the large N_c limit.

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arXiv2007

Static Interactions of non-Abelian Vortices

Interactions between non-BPS non-Abelian vortices are studied in non-Abelian U(1) x SU(N) extensions of the Abelian-Higgs model in four dimensions. The distinctive feature of a non-Abelian vortex is the presence of an internal CP^{N-1} space of orientational degrees of freedom. For fine-tuned values of the couplings, the vortices are BPS and there is no net force between two static parallel vortices at arbitrary distance. On the other hand, for generic values of the couplings the interactions between two vortices depend non-trivially on their relative internal orientations. We discuss the problem both with a numerical approach (valid for small deviations from the BPS limit) and in a semi-analytical way (valid at large vortex separations). The interactions can be classified with respect to their asymptotic property at large vortex separation. In a simpler fine-tuned model, we find two regimes which are quite similar to the usual type I/II Abelian superconductors. In the generic model we find other two new regimes: type I*/II*. Unlike the type I (type II) case, where the interaction is always attractive (repulsive), the type I* and II* have both attractive and repulsive interactions depending on the relative orientation. We have found a rich variety of interactions at small vortex separations. For some values of the couplings, a bound state of two static vortices at a non-zero distance exists.

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arXiv2007

Type I Non-Abelian Superconductors in Supersymmetric Gauge Theories

Non-BPS non-Abelian vortices with CP^1 internal moduli space are studied in an N=2 supersymmetric U(1) x SU(2) gauge theory with softly breaking adjoint mass terms. For generic internal orientations the classical force between two vortices can be attractive or repulsive. On the other hand, the mass of the scalars in the theory is always less than that of the vector bosons; also, the force between two vortices with the same CP^1 orientation is always attractive: for these reasons we interpret our model as a non-Abelian generalization of type I superconductors. We compute the effective potential in the limit of two well separated vortices. It is a function of the distance and of the relative colour-flavour orientation of the two vortices; in this limit we find an effective description in terms of two interacting CP^1 sigma models. In the limit of two coincident vortices we find two different solutions with the same topological winding and, for generic values of the parameters, different tensions. One of the two solutions is described by a CP^1 effective sigma model, while the other is just an Abelian vortex without internal degrees of freedom. For generic values of the parameters, one of the two solutions is metastable, while there are evidences that the other one is truly stable.

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arXiv2005

Hidden Modulus in the Extended Veneziano-Yankielowicz Theory

The issue of domain walls in the recently extended Veneziano-Yankielowicz theory is investigated and we show that they have an interesting substructure. We also demonstrate the presence of a noncompact modulus. The associated family of degenerate solutions is physically due to the presence of a valley of vacua in the enlarged space of fields. This is a feature of the extended Veneziano-Yankielowicz theory. Unfortunately the above properties do not match the ones expected for the domain walls of N=1 super Yang-Mills.

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arXiv2005

Monopoles Can be Confined by 0, 1 or 2 Vortices

There are three types of monopole in gauge theories with fundamental matter and N=2 supersymmetry broken by a superpotential. There are unconfined 0-monopoles and also 1 and 2-monopoles confined respectively by one or two vortices transforming under distinct components of the unbroken gauge group. If a Fayet-Iliopoulos term is added then there are only 2-monopoles. Monopoles transform in the bifundamental representation of two components of the unbroken gauge symmetry, and if two monopoles share a component they may form a boundstate. Selection rules for this process are found, for example vortex number is preserved modulo 2. We find the tensions of the vortices, which are in general distinct, and also the conditions under which vortices are mutually BPS. Results are derived in field theory and also in MQCD, and in quiver theories a T-dual picture may be used in which monopoles are classified by quiver diagrams with two colors of vertices.

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arXiv2004

Nonabelian Monopoles

We study topological as well as dynamical properties of BPS nonabelian magnetic monopoles of Goddard-Nuyts-Olive-Weinberg type in $ G=SU(N)$, $USp(2N)$ and SO(N) gauge theories, spontaneously broken to nonabelian subgroups $H$. We find that monopoles transform under the group dual to $H$ in a tensor representation of rank determined by the corresponding element in $π_1(H)$. When the system is embedded in a ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetric theory with an appropriate set of flavors with appropriate bare masses, the BPS monopoles constructed semiclassically persist in the full quantum theory. This result supports the identification of ``dual quarks'' found at $r$-vacua of ${\cal N}=2$ theories with the nonabelian magnetic monopoles. We present several consistency checks of our monopole spectra.

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arXiv2004

Superconformal Vacua in N=2 Usp(4) Gauge Theories

We study the dynamics of a confining vacuum in N=2 USp(4) gauge theory with n_f=4. The vacuum appears to be a deformed conformal theory with nonabelian gauge symmetry. The low-energy degrees of freedom consist of four nonabelian magnetic monopole doublets of the effective SU(2) colour group, two dyon doublets and one electric doublet. In this description the flavour quantum number is carried only by the monopoles. We argue that confinement is caused by the condensation of these monopoles, and involves strongly interacting nonabelian degrees of freedom.

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arXiv2003

Nonabelian Monopoles and the Vortices that Confine Them

Nonabelian magnetic monopoles of Goddard-Nuyts-Olive-Weinberg type have recently been shown to appear as the dominant infrared degrees of freedom in a class of softly broken ${\cal N}=2$ supersymmetric gauge theories in which the gauge group $G$ is broken to various nonabelian subgroups $H $ by an adjoint Higgs VEV. When the low-energy gauge group $H$ is further broken completely by e.g. squark VEVs, the monopoles representing $π_2(G/H)$ are confined by the nonabelian vortices arising from the breaking of $H$, discussed recently (hep-th/0307278). By considering the system with $G=SU(N+1)$, $ H = {SU(N) \times U(1) ø{\mathbb Z}_N}$, as an example, we show that the total magnetic flux of the minimal monopole agrees precisely with the total magnetic flux flowing along the single minimal vortex. The possibility for such an analysis reflects the presence of free parameters in the theory - the bare quark mass $m$ and the adjoint mass $μ$ - such that for $m \gg μ$ the topologically nontrivial solutions of vortices and of unconfined monopoles exist at distinct energy scales.

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arXiv2003

Nonabelian Superconductors: Vortices and Confinement in ${\cal N}=2$ SQCD

We study nonabelian vortices (flux tubes) in SU(N) gauge theories, which are responsible for the confinement of (nonabelian) magnetic monopoles. In particular a detailed analysis is given of ${\cal N}=2$ SQCD with gauge group SU(3) deformed by a small adjoint chiral multiplet mass. Tuning the bare quark masses (which we take to be large) to a common value $m$, we consider a particular vacuum of this theory in which an SU(2) subgroup of the gauge group remains unbroken. We consider $5 \ge N_f \ge 4$ flavors so that the SU(2) sub-sector remains non asymptotically free: the vortices carrying nonabelian fluxes may be reliably studied in a semi-classical regime. We show that the vortices indeed acquire exact zero modes which generate global rotations of the flux in an $SU(2)_{C+F}$ group. We study an effective world-sheet theory of these orientational zero modes which reduces to an ${\cal N}=2$ O(3) sigma model in (1+1) dimensions. Mirror symmetry then teaches us that the dual SU(2) group is not dynamically broken.

hep-th↗
arXiv2002

Almost Conformal Vacua and Confinement

Dynamics of confining vacua which appear as deformed superconformal theory with a non-Abelian gauge symmetry, is studied by taking a concrete example of the sextet vacua of ${\cal N}=2$, SU(3) gauge theory with $n_f=4$, with equal quark masses. We show that the low-energy "matter" degrees of freedom of this theory consist of four magnetic monopole doublets of the low-energy effective SU(2) gauge group, one dyon doublet, and one electric doublet. We find a mechanism of cancellation of the beta function, which naturally but nontrivially generalizes that of Argyres-Douglas. Study of our SCFT theory as a limit of six colliding ${\cal N}=1$ vacua, suggests that the confinement in the present theory occurs in an essentially different manner from those vacua with dynamical Abelianization, and involves strongly interacting non-Abelian magnetic monopoles.

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