arXiv subjects

S. Pinsky

Publications and source records attributed to S. Pinsky.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2009

Effects of a fundamental mass term in two-dimensional super Yang-Mills theory

We show that adding a vacuum expectation value to a gauge field left over from a dimensional reduction of three-dimensional pure supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory generates mass terms for the fundamental fields in the two-dimensional theory while supersymmetry stays intact. This is similar to the adjoint mass term that is generated by a Chern-Simons term in this theory. We study the spectrum of the two-dimensional theory as a function of the vacuum expectation value and of the Chern-Simons coupling. Apart from some symmetry issues a straightforward picture arises. We show that at least one massless state exists if the Chern-Simons coupling vanishes. The numerical spectrum separates into (almost) massless and very heavy states as the Chern-Simons coupling grows. We present evidence that the gap survives the continuum limit. We display structure functions and other properties of some of the bound states.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

Numerical Simulations of N=(1,1) SYM{1+1} with Large Supersymmetry Breaking

We consider the $N=(1,1)$ SYM theory that is obtained by dimensionally reducing SYM theory in 2+1 dimensions to 1+1 dimensions and discuss soft supersymmetry breaking. We discuss the numerical simulation of this theory using SDLCQ when either the boson or the fermion has a large mass. We compare our result to the pure adjoint fermion theory and pure adjoint boson DLCQ calculations of Klebanov, Demeterfi, and Bhanot and of Kutasov. With a large boson mass we find that it is necessary to add additional operators to the theory to obtain sensible results. When a large fermion mass is added to the theory we find that it is not necessary to add operators to obtain a sensible theory. The theory of the adjoint boson is a theory that has stringy bound states similar to the full SYM theory. We also discuss another theory of adjoint bosons with a spectrum similar to that obtained by Klebanov, Demeterfi, and Bhanot.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

Wave functions and properties of massive states in three-dimensional supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

We apply supersymmetric discrete light-cone quantization (SDLCQ) to the study of supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on R x S^1 x S^1. One of the compact directions is chosen to be light-like and the other to be space-like. Since the SDLCQ regularization explicitly preserves supersymmetry, this theory is totally finite, and thus we can solve for bound-state wave functions and masses numerically without renormalizing. We present an overview of all the massive states of this theory, and we see that the spectrum divides into two distinct and disjoint sectors. In one sector the SDLCQ approximation is only valid up to intermediate coupling. There we find a well defined and well behaved set of states, and we present a detailed analysis of these states and their properties. In the other sector, which contains a completely different set of states, we present a much more limited analysis for strong coupling only. We find that, while these state have a well defined spectrum, their masses grow with the transverse momentum cutoff. We present an overview of these states and their properties.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

Two-Point Stress-Tensor Correlator in N=1 SYM(2+1)

Recent advances in string theory have highlighted the need for reliable numerical methods to calculate correlators at strong coupling in supersymmetric theories. We present a calculation of the correlator <0|T^{++}(r)T^{++}(0)|0> in N=1 SYM theory in 2+1 dimensions. The numerical method we use is supersymmetric discrete light-cone quantization (SDLCQ), which preserves the supersymmetry at every order of the approximation and treats fermions and bosons on the same footing. This calculation is done at large $N_c$. For small and intermediate r the correlator converges rapidly for all couplings. At small r the correlator behaves like 1/r^6, as expected from conformal field theory. At large r the correlator is dominated by the BPS states of the theory. There is, however, a critical value of the coupling where the large-r correlator goes to zero, suggesting that the large-r correlator can only be trusted to some finite coupling which depends on the transverse resolution. We find that this critical coupling grows linearly with the square root of the transverse momentum resolution.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Anti-Periodic Boundary Conditions in Supersymmetric DLCQ

It is of considerable importance to have a numerical method for solving supersymmetric theories that can support a non-zero central charge. The central charge in supersymmetric theories is in general a boundary integral and therefore vanishes when one uses periodic boundary conditions. One is therefore prevented from studying BPS states in the standard supersymmetric formulation of DLCQ (SDLCQ). We present a novel formulation of SDLCQ where the fields satisfy anti-periodic boundary conditions. The Hamiltonian is written as the anti-commutator of two charges, as in SDLCQ. The anti-periodic SDLCQ we consider breaks supersymmetry at finite resolution, but requires no renormalization and becomes supersymmetric in the continuum limit. In principle, this method could be used to study BPS states. However, we find its convergence to be disappointingly slow.

hep-th↗

arXiv2000

Towards a SDLCQ test of the Maldacena Conjecture

We consider the Maldacena conjecture applied to the near horizon geometry of a D1-brane in the supergravity approximation and present numerical results of a test of the conjecture against the boundary field theory calculation using DLCQ. We previously calculated the two-point function of the stress-energy tensor on the supergravity side; the methods of Gubser, Klebanov, Polyakov, and Witten were used. On the field theory side, we derived an explicit expression for the two-point function in terms of data that may be extracted from the supersymmetric discrete light cone quantization (SDLCQ) calculation at a given harmonic resolution. This yielded a well defined numerical algorithm for computing the two-point function. For the supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with 16 supercharges that arises in the Maldacena conjecture, the algorithm is perfectly well defined; however, the size of the numerical computation prevented us from obtaining a numerical check of the conjecture. We now present numerical results with approximately 1000 times as many states as we previously considered. These results support the Maldacena conjecture and are within $10-15%$ of the predicted numerical results in some regions. Our results are still not sufficient to demonstrate convergence, and, therefore, cannot be considered to a numerical proof of the conjecture. We present a method for using a ``flavor'' symmetry to greatly reduce the size of the basis and discuss a numerical method that we use which is particularly well suited for this type of matrix element calculation.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

SDLCQ: Supersymmetric Discrete Light Cone Quantization

In these lectures we discuss the application of discrete light cone quantization (DLCQ) to supersymmetric field theories. We will see that it is possible to formulate DLCQ so that supersymmetry is exactly preserved in the discrete approximation. We call this formulation of DLCQ, SDLCQ and it combines the power of DLCQ with all of the beauty of supersymmetry. In these lecture we will review the application of SDLCQ to several interesting supersymmetric theories. We will discuss two dimensional theories with (1,1), (2,2) and (8,8) supersymmetry, zero modes, vacuum degeneracy, massless states, mass gaps, theories in higher dimensions, and the Maldacena conjecture among other subjects.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

Supersymmetry and DLCQ

In this talk we describe the application of discrete light cone quantization (DLCQ) to supersymmetric field theories. We find that it is possible to formulate DLCQ so that supersymmetry is exactly preserved in the discrete approximation and call this formulation of DLCQ, SDLCQ. It combines the power of DLCQ with all of the beauty of supersymmetry. We have applied SDLCQ to several interesting supersymmetric theories and discussed zero modes, vacuum degeneracy, massless states, mass gaps, and theories in higher dimensions. Most recently we have used it to discuss the Maldacena conjecture.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

The Perils of `Soft' SUSY Breaking

We consider a two dimensional SU(N) gauge theory coupled to an adjoint Majorana fermion, which is known to be supersymmetric for a particular value of fermion mass. We investigate the `soft' supersymmetry breaking of the discrete light cone quantization (DLCQ) of this theory. There are several DLCQ formulations of this theory currently in the literature and they naively appear to behave differently under `soft' supersymmetry breaking at finite resolution. We show that all these formulations nevertheless yield identical bound state masses in the decompactification limit of the light-like circle. Moreover, we are able to show that the supersymmetry-inspired version of DLCQ (so called `SDLCQ') provides the best rate of convergence of DLCQ bound state masses towards the actual continuum values, except possibly near or at the critical fermion mass. In this last case, we discuss improved extrapolation schemes that must supplement the DLCQ algorithm in order to obtain correct continuum bound state masses. Interestingly, when we truncate the Fock space to two particles, the SDLCQ prescription presented here provides a scheme for improving the rate of convergence of the massive t'Hooft model. Thus the supersymmetry-inspired SDLCQ prescription is applicable to theories without supersymmetry.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

The Light-Cone Vacuum in 1+1 Dimensional Super-Yang-Mills Theory

The Discrete Light-Cone Quantization (DLCQ) of a supersymmetric SU(N) gauge theory in 1+1 dimensions is discussed, with particular emphasis given to the inclusion of all dynamical zero modes. Interestingly, the notorious `zero-mode problem' is now tractable because of special supersymmetric cancellations. In particular, we show that anomalous zero-mode contributions to the currents are absent, in contrast to what is observed in the non-supersymmetric case. We find that the supersymmetric partner of the gauge zero mode is the diagonal component of the fermion zero mode. An analysis of the vacuum structure is provided and it is shown that the inclusion of zero modes is crucial for probing the phase properties of the vacua. In particular, we find that the ground state energy is zero and N-fold degenerate, and thus consistent with unbroken supersymmetry. We also show that the inclusion of zero modes for the light-cone supercharges leaves the supersymmetry algebra unchanged. Finally, we remark that the dependence of the light-cone Fock vacuum in terms of the gauge zero is unchanged in the presence of matter fields.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

A Comment on the Light-Cone Vacuum in 1+1 Dimensional Super-Yang-Mills Theory

The Discrete Light-Cone Quantization (DLCQ) of a supersymmetric gauge theory in 1+1 dimensions is discussed, with particular attention given to the inclusion of the gauge zero mode. Interestingly, the notorious `zero-mode' problem is now tractable because of special supersymmetric cancellations. In particular, we show that anomalous zero-mode contributions to the currents are absent, in contrast to what is observed in the non-supersymmetric case. An analysis of the vacuum structure is provided by deriving the effective quantum mechanical Hamiltonian of the gauge zero mode. It is shown that the inclusion of the zero modes of the adjoint scalars and fermions is crucial for probing the phase properties of the vacua. We find that the ground state energy is zero and thus consistent with unbroken supersymmetry, and conclude that the light-cone Fock vacuum is unchanged with or without the presence of matter fields.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

On Exact Supersymmetry in DLCQ

In recent years a supersymmetric form of discrete light-cone quantization (hereafter `SDLCQ') has emerged as a very powerful tool for solving supersymmetric field theories. In this scheme, one calculates the light-cone supercharge with respect to a discretized light-cone Fock basis, instead of working with the light-cone Hamiltonian. This procedure has the advantage of preserving supersymmetry even in the discretized theory, and eliminates the need for explicit renormalizations in 1+1 dimensions. In order to compare the usual DLCQ prescription with the supersymmetric prescription, we consider two dimensional SU(N) Yang-Mills theory coupled to a massive adjoint Majorana fermion, which is known to be supersymmetric at a particular value of the fermion mass. After studying how singular-valued amplitudes and intermediate zero momentum modes are regularized in both schemes, we are able to establish a precise connection between conventional DLCQ and its supersymmetric extension, SDLCQ. In particular, we derive the explicit form of the (irrelevant) interaction that renders the DLCQ formulation of the theory exactly supersymmetric for any light-cone compactification. We check our analytical results via a numerical procedure, and discuss the relevance of this interaction when supersymmetry is explicitly broken.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

DLCQ Bound States of N =(2,2) Super-Yang-Mills at Finite and Large N

We consider the 1+1 dimensional N = (2,2) supersymmetric matrix model which is obtained by dimensionally reducing N = 1 super Yang-Mills from four to two dimensions. The gauge groups we consider are U(Nc) and SU(Nc), where Nc is finite but arbitrary. We adopt light-cone coordinates, and choose to work in the light-cone gauge. Quantizing this theory via Discretized Light-Cone Quantization (DLCQ) introduces an integer, K, which restricts the light-cone momentum-fraction of constituent quanta to be integer multiples of 1/K. Solutions to the DLCQ bound state equations are obtained for K=2,3,...,6 by discretizing the light-cone supercharges, which results in a supersymmetric spectrum. Our numerical results imply the existence of normalizable massless states in the continuum limit K -> infinity, and therefore the absence of a mass gap. The low energy spectrum is dominated by string-like (or many parton) states. Our results are consistent with the claim that the theory is in a screening phase.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

The DLCQ Spectrum of N=(8,8) Super Yang-Mills

We consider the 1+1 dimensional N = (8,8) supersymmetric matrix field theory obtained from a dimensional reduction of ten dimensional N = 1 super Yang-Mills. The gauge groups we consider are U(N) and SU(N), where N is finite but arbitrary. We adopt light-cone coordinates, and choose to work in the light-cone gauge. Quantizing this theory via Discretized Light-Cone Quantization (DLCQ) introduces an integer, K, which restricts the light-cone momentum-fraction of constituent quanta to be integer multiples of 1/K. Solutions to the DLCQ bound state equations are obtained for K=2,3 and 4 by discretizing the light-cone super charges, which preserves supersymmetry manifestly. We discuss degeneracies in the massive spectrum that appear to be independent of the light-cone compactification, and are therefore expected to be present in the decompactified limit K -> infinity. Our numerical results also support the claim that the SU(N) theory has a mass gap.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

On the Transition from Confinement to Screening in QCD_{1+1} Coupled to Adjoint Fermions at Finite N

We consider SU(N) QCD_{1+1} coupled to massless adjoint Majorana fermions, where N is finite but arbitrary. We examine the spectrum for various values of N, paying particular attention to the formation of multi-particle states, which were recently identified by Gross, Hashimoto and Klebanov in the N -> infinity limit of the theory. It is believed that in the limit of vanishing fermion mass, there is a transition from confinement to screening in which string-like states made out of adjoint fermion bits dissociate into stable constituent ``single particles''. In this work, we provide numerical evidence that such a transition into stable constituent particles occurs not only at large N, but for any finite value of N. In addition, we discuss certain issues concerning the ``topological'' properties exhibited by the DLCQ spectrum.

hep-th↗

arXiv1998

Non-Perturbative Spectrum of Two Dimensional (1,1) Super Yang-Mills at Finite and Large N

We consider the dimensional reduction of N = 1 SYM_{2+1} to 1+1 dimensions, which has (1,1) supersymmetry. The gauge groups we consider are U(N) and SU(N), where N is a finite variable. We implement Discrete Light-Cone Quantization to determine non-perturbatively the bound states in this theory. A careful analysis of the spectrum is performed at various values of N, including the case where N is large (but finite), allowing a precise measurement of the 1/N effects in the quantum theory. The low energy sector of the theory is shown to be dominated by string-like states. The techniques developed here may be applied to any two dimensional field theory with or without supersymmetry.

hep-th↗

arXiv1997

The Analog of t'Hooft Pions with Adjoint Fermions

In this paper we discuss a class of 1+1 dimensional matrix field theories in the light-cone Hamiltonian approach that are obtained from a dimensional reduction of 3+1 dimensional Yang-Mills theory. We present exact massless solutions of the boundstate integral equations in the large N limit. These massless states have constant wavefunctions in momentum space and are therefore fundamental excitations of the theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv1997

Quantum Chromodynamics and Other Field Theories on the Light Cone

We discuss the light-cone quantization of gauge theories as a calculational tool for representing hadrons as QCD bound-states of relativistic quarks and gluons, and also as a novel method for simulating quantum field theory on a computer. The light-cone Fock state expansion of wavefunctions provides a precise definition of the parton model and a general calculus for hadronic matrix elements. We present several new applications of light-cone Fock methods, including calculations of exclusive weak decays of heavy hadrons, and intrinsic heavy-quark contributions to structure functions. Discretized light-cone quantization, is outlined and applied to several gauge theories. We also discuss the construction of the light-cone Fock basis, the structure of the light-cone vacuum, and outline the renormalization techniques required for solving gauge theories within the Hamiltonian formalism on the light cone.

hep-ph↗