arXiv subjects

Volker Schomerus

Publications and source records attributed to Volker Schomerus.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

On the Spectrum of Superspheres

Sigma models on coset superspaces, such as odd dimensional superspheres, play an important role in physics and in particular the AdS/CFT correspondence. In this work we apply recent general results on the spectrum of coset space models and on supergroup WZNW models to study the conformal sigma model with target space S^{3|2}. We construct its vertex operators and provide explicit formulas for their anomalous dimensions, at least to leading order in the sigma model coupling. The results are used to revisit a non-perturbative duality between the supersphere and the OSP(4|2) Gross-Neveu model that was conjectured by Candu and Saleur. With the help of powerful all-loop results for 1/2 BPS operators in the Gross-Neveu model we are able to recover the entire zero mode spectrum of the sigma model at a certain finite value of the Gross-Neveu coupling. In addition, we argue that the sigma model constraints and equations of motion are implemented correctly in the dual Gross-Neveu description. On the other hand, high(er) gradient operators of the sigma model are not all accounted for. It is possible that this discrepancy is related to an instability from high gradient operators that has previously been observed in the context of Anderson localization.

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arXiv2014

The universal Racah-Wigner symbol for Uq(osp(1|2))

We propose a new and elegant formula for the Racah-Wigner symbol of self-dual continuous series of representations of Uq(osp(1|2)). It describes the entire fusing matrix for both NS and R sector of N=1 supersymmetric Liouville field theory. In the NS sector, our formula is related to an expression derived in [1]. Through analytic continuation in the spin variables, our universal expression reproduces known formulas for the Racah-Wigner coefficients of finite dimensional representations.

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arXiv2014

Chiral Primaries in Strange Metals

It was suggested recently that the study of 1-dimensional QCD with fermions in the adjoint representation could lead to an interesting toy model for strange metals and their holographic formulation. In the high density regime, the infrared physics of this theory is described by a constrained free fermion theory with an emergent {\cal N}=(2,2) superconformal symmetry. In order to narrow the choice of potential holographic duals, we initiate a systematic search for chiral primaries in this model. We argue that the bosonic part of the superconformal algebra can be extended to a coset chiral algebra of the form {\cal W}_N =\SO(2N^2-2)_1/\SU(N)_{2N}. In terms of this algebra the spectrum of the low energy theory decomposes into a finite number of sectors which are parametrized by special necklaces. We compute the corresponding characters and partition functions and determine the set of chiral primaries for N \leq 5.

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arXiv2013

Spectra of Coset Sigma Models

We compute the complete 1-loop spectrum of anomalous dimensions for the bulk fields of non-linear sigma models on symmetric coset (super)spaces G/H, both with and without world-sheet supersymmetry. In addition, we provide two new methods for the construction of partition functions in the infinite radius limit and demonstrate their efficiency in the case of (super)sphere sigma models. Our results apply to a large number of target spaces including superspheres and superprojective spaces such as the N=2 sigma model on CP(3|4).

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arXiv2013

Self-dual Continuous Series of Representations for U_q(sl(2)) and U_q(osp(1|2))

We determine the Clebsch-Gordan and Racah-Wigner coefficients for continuous series of representations of the quantum deformed algebras U_q(sl(2)) and U_q(osp(1|2)). While our results for the former algebra reproduce formulas by Ponsot and Teschner, the expressions for the orthosymplectic algebra are new. Up to some normalization factors, the associated Racah-Wigner coefficients are shown to agree with the fusing matrix in the Neveu-Schwarz sector of N=1 supersymmetric Liouville field theory.

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arXiv2012

Anomalous Dimensions in Deformed WZW Models on Supergroups

We investigate a class of current-current, Gross-Neveu like, perturbations of WZW models in which the full left-right affine symmetry is broken to the diagonal global algebra only. Our analysis focuses on those supergroups for which such a perturbation preserves conformal invariance. A detailed calculation of the 2-point functions of affine primary operators to 3-loops is presented. Furthermore, we derive an exact formula for the anomalous dimensions of a large subset of fields to all orders in perturbation theory. Possible applications of our results, including the study of non-perturbative dualities, are outlined.

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arXiv2012

Conformal superspace sigma-models

We review recent developments in the context of two-dimensional conformally invariant sigma-models. These quantum field theories play a prominent role in the covariant superstring quantization in flux backgrounds and in the analysis of disordered systems. We present supergroup WZW models as primary examples of logarithmic conformal field theories, whose structure is almost entirely determined by the underlying supergeometry. In particular, we discuss the harmonic analysis on supergroups and supercosets and point out the subtleties of Lie superalgebra representation theory that are responsible for the emergence of logarithmic representations. Furthermore, special types of marginal deformations of supergroup WZW models are studied which only exist if the Killing form is vanishing. We show how exact expressions for anomalous dimensions of boundary fields can be derived using quasi-abelian perturbation theory. Finally, the knowledge of the exact spectrum is used to motivate a duality between the OSP(4|2) symmetric Gross-Neveu model and the S(3|2) supersphere sigma-model.

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arXiv2012

Liouville's Imaginary Shadow

N=1 super Liouville field theory is one of the simplest non-rational conformal field theories. It possesses various important extensions and interesting applications, e.g. to the AGT relation with 4D gauge theory or the construction of the OSP(1|2) WZW model. In both setups, the N=1 Liouville field is accompanied by an additional free fermion. Recently, Belavin et al. suggested a bosonization of the product theory in terms of two bosonic Liouville fields. While one of these Liouville fields is standard, the second turns out to be imaginary (or time-like). We extend the proposal to the R sector and perform extensive checks based on detailed comparison of 3-point functions involving several super-conformal primaries and descendants. On the basis of such strong evidence we sketch a number of interesting potential applications of this intriguing bosonization.

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arXiv2011

Superspace Parafermions

We describe several families of non-unitary coset conformal field theories that possess truly marginal couplings. These generalize the known examples of Wess-Zumino-Witten models on supergroups such as PSU(n|n) or OSP(2n+2|2n). Our extension includes coset space sigma models, affine Toda theories or Gross-Neveu models which are believed to arise in certain limits.

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arXiv2010

N=2 Superconformal Symmetry in Super Coset Models

We extend the Kazama-Suzuki construction of models with N=(2,2) world-sheet supersymmetry to cosets S/K of supergroups. Among the admissible target spaces that allow for an extension to N=2 superconformal algebras are some simple Lie supergroups, including PSL(N|N). Our general analysis is illustrated at the example of the N=1 WZNW model on GL(1|1). After constructing its N=2 superconformal algebra we determine the (anti-)chiral ring of the theory. It exhibits an interesting interplay between world-sheet and target space supersymmetry.

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arXiv2010

Cohomological Reduction of Sigma Models

This article studies some features of quantum field theories with internal supersymmetry, focusing mainly on 2-dimensional non-linear sigma models which take values in a coset superspace. It is discussed how BRST operators from the target space supersymmetry algebra can be used to identify subsectors which are often simpler than the original model and may allow for an explicit computation of correlation functions. After an extensive discussion of the general reduction scheme, we present a number of interesting examples, including symmetric superspaces $G/G^{\mathbb{Z}_2}$ and coset superspaces of the form $G/G^{\mathbb{Z}_4}$.

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arXiv2009

The Sigma Model on Complex Projective Superspaces

The sigma model on complex projective superspaces CP^{S-1|S} gives rise to a continuous family of interacting 2D conformal field theories which are parametrized by the curvature radius R and the theta angle θ. Our main goal is to determine the spectrum of the model, non-perturbatively as a function of both parameters. We succeed to do so for all open boundary conditions preserving the full global symmetry of the model. In string theory parlor, these correspond to volume filling branes that are equipped with a monopole line bundle and connection. The paper consists of two parts. In the first part, we approach the problem within the continuum formulation. Combining combinatorial arguments with perturbative studies and some simple free field calculations, we determine a closed formula for the partition function of the theory. This is then tested numerically in the second part. There we propose a spin chain regularization of the CP^{S-1|S} model with open boundary conditions and use it to determine the spectrum at the conformal fixed point. The numerical results are in remarkable agreement with the continuum analysis.

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arXiv2008

Principal Chiral Model on Superspheres

We investigate the spectrum of the principal chiral model (PCM) on odd-dimensional superspheres as a function of the curvature radius R. For volume-filling branes on S^{3|2}, we compute the exact boundary spectrum as a function of R. The extension to higher dimensional superspheres is discussed, but not carried out in detail. Our results provide very convincing evidence in favor of the strong-weak coupling duality between supersphere PCMs and OSP(2S+2|2S) Gross-Neveu models that was recently conjectured by Candu and Saleur in arXiv:0801.0444.

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arXiv2008

The FZZ-Duality Conjecture - A Proof

We prove that the cigar conformal field theory is dual to the Sine-Liouville model, as conjectured originally by Fateev, Zamolodchikov and Zamolodchikov. Since both models possess the same chiral algebra, our task is to show that correlations of all tachyon vertex operators agree. We accomplish this goal through an off-critical version of the geometric Langlands duality for sl(2). More explicitly, we combine the well-known self-duality of Liouville theory with an intriguing correspondence between the cigar and Liouville field theory. The latter is derived through a path integral treatment. After a very detailed discussion of genus zero amplitudes, we extend the duality to arbitrary closed surfaces.

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arXiv2008

Boundary Correlators in Supergroup WZNW Models

We investigate correlation functions for maximally symmetric boundary conditions in the WZNW model on GL(1|1). Special attention is payed to volume filling branes. Generalizing earlier ideas for the bulk sector, we set up a Kac-Wakimoto-like formalism for the boundary model. This first order formalism is then used to calculate bulk-boundary 2-point functions and the boundary 3-point functions of the model. The note ends with a few comments on correlation functions of atypical fields, point-like branes and generalizations to other supergroups.

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arXiv2008

Structure constants of the OSP(1|2) WZNW model

We propose exact formulas for the 2- and 3-point functions of the WZNW model on the non-compact supergroup OSP(1|2). Using the path integral approach that was recently developed in arXiv:0706.1030 we show how local correlation functions in the OSP(p|2) WZNW models can be obtained from those of N=p supersymmetric Liouville field theory for p=1,2. We then employ known results on correlators in N=1 Liouville theory to determine the structure constants of the OSP(1|2) theory.

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arXiv2008

H^+_3 WZNW model from Liouville field theory

There exists an intriguing relation between genus zero correlation functions in the H^+_3 WZNW model and in Liouville field theory. We provide a path integral derivation of the correspondence and then use our new approach to generalize the relation to surfaces of arbitrary genus g. In particular we determine the correlation functions of N primary fields in the WZNW model explicitly through Liouville correlators with N+2g-2 additional insertions of certain degenerate fields. The paper concludes with a list of interesting further extensions and a few comments on the relation to the geometric Langlands program.

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arXiv2007

Boundary Spectra in Superspace Sigma-Models

In this note we compute exact boundary spectra for D-instantons in sigma-models on the supergroup PSL(2|2). Our results are obtained through an explicit summation of the perturbative expansion for conformal dimensions to all orders in the curvature radius. The analysis exploits several remarkable properties of the perturbation series that arises from rescalings of the metric on PSL(2|2) relative to a fixed Wess-Zumino term. According to Berkovits, Vafa and Witten, the models are relevant in the context of string theory on AdS3 with non-vanishing RR-flux. The note concludes with a number of comments on various possible generalizations to other supergroups and higher dimensional supercoset theories.

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