We construct the $\mathcal{N}=8$ supersymmetric mechanics with potential term whose configuration space is the special Kähler manifold of rigid type and show that it can be viewed as the Kähler counterpart of $\mathcal{N}=4$ mechanics related to "curved WDVV equations". Then, we consider the special case of the supersymmetric mechanics with the non-zero potential term defined on the family of $U(1)$-invariant one-(complex)dimensional special Kähler metrics. The bosonic parts of these systems include superintegrable deformations of perturbed two-dimensional oscillator and Coulomb systems.
We analyze the integrability of the ${\cal N}$-extended supersymmetric Calogero-Moser model. We explicitly construct the Lax pair $\{L,A\}$ for this system, which properly reproduces all equations of motion. After adding a supersymmetric oscillator potential we reduce the latter to solving $\dot{U}\,{=}\,A\,U$ for the time evolution operator $U(t)$. The bosonic variables, however, evolve independently of $U$ on closed trajectories, as is required for superintegrability. To visualize the structure of the conserved currents we derive the complete set of Liouville charges up to the fifth power in…
A four-dimensional analog of Chern-Simons theory produces integrable lattice models from Wilson lines and surface operators. We show that this theory describes a quasi-topological sector of maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in six dimensions, topologically twisted and subjected to an Ω-deformation. By realizing the six-dimensional theory in string theory and applying dualities, we unify various phenomena in which the eight-vertex model and the XYZ spin chain, as well as variants thereof, emerge from supersymmetric gauge theories.
Integrable models of statistical mechanics play a prominent role in modern mathematical physics, especially in conformal field theory, knot theory, combinatorics, topology, etc. In this brief review, we discuss a program of constructing integrable lattice spin models with the nearest neighbor interaction using methods inspired by the supersymmetric gauge theory computations, called gauge/YBE correspondence. After a brief introduction to the topic, we review some recent examples of this correspondence and the role of special functions and symmetries. Finally, we discuss future directions of res…
This is a pedagogical review on the integrability-based approach to the three-point function in N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. We first discuss the computation of the structure constant at weak coupling and show that the result can be recast as a sum over partitions of the rapidities of the magnons. We then introduce a non-perturbative framework, called the "hexagon approach", and explain how one can use the symmetries (i.e. superconformal and gauge symmetries) and integrability to determine the structure constants. This article is based on the lectures given in Les Houches Summer Schoo…
In this thesis, we report on different aspects of integrability in supersymmetric gauge theories. The main tool of investigation is twistor geometry. In trying to be self-contained, we first present a brief review about the basics of twistor geometry. We then focus on the twistor description of various gauge theories in four and three space-time dimensions. These include self-dual supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theories and relatives, non-self-dual SYM theories and supersymmetric Bogomolny models. Furthermore, we present a detailed investigation of integrability of self-dual SYM theories. In …
Many physical systems like supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories are formulated as quantum matrix models. We discuss how to apply the Beth ansatz to exactly solve some supersymmetric quantum matrix models in the large-N limit. Toy models are constructed out of the one-dimensional Hubbard and t-J models as illustrations.
We study the 1-loop dilatation operator for insertions of composite operators in a generalized Wilson loop in ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang-Mills, which interpolates between the supersymmetric Wilson-Maldacena loop and the ordinary Wilson loop with no scalar coupling. For $SO(6)$ scalar insertions, we show that the 1-loop dilatation operator is integrable for the endpoints of the interpolation, i.e. either for the Wilson-Maldacena or the ordinary Wilson loop. Moreover, we also show that integrability persists for $SU(2|3)$ insertions in the ordinary Wilson loop, even when the term making the spin ch…
We propose an integrability setup for the computation of correlation functions of gauge-invariant operators in $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory at higher orders in the large $N_{\text{c}}$ genus expansion and at any order in the 't Hooft coupling $g_{\text{YM}}^2N_{\text{c}}$. In this multi-step proposal, one polygonizes the string worldsheet in all possible ways, hexagonalizes all resulting polygons, and sprinkles mirror particles over all hexagon junctions to obtain the full correlator. We test our integrability-based conjecture against a non-planar four-point correlator of l…
We consider the harmonic-superspace ($HS$) system of equations that contains superfield $SYM^1_6$ constraints and equations of motion. A dynamical equation in the special $A$-frame is equivalent to the zero-curvature equation corresponding to a covariant conservation of $HS$-analyticity. Properties of a general $SYM^1_6$ solution for the gauge group $SU(2)$ are studied in the simplest harmonic gauge. An analogous approach to the integrability interpretation of $SYM$-$SG$-matter systems in $HS$ is discussed briefly.
We apply various conventional tests of integrability to the supersymmetric nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We find that a matrix Lax pair exists and that the system has the Painlevé property only for a particular choice of the free parameters of the theory. We also show that the second Hamiltonian structure generalizes to superspace only for these values of the parameters. We are unable to construct a zero curvature formulation of the equations based on OSp(2$|$1). However, this attempt yields a nonsupersymmetric fermionic generalization of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation which appears to p…
Four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills theory admits interfaces that preserve integrability of the theory. It was shown that addition of fundamental hypermultiplets living on a co-dimension one defect is an example of such an interface. We consider NS5 interface as a different example of half-BPS defect in this theory and prove that integrability is generically broken already at one loop. We show that one-loop dilatation operator acting on boundary local operators does not lead to an integrable spin chain. The same is true also for D5-like and NS5-like boundaries.
We reconsider string and domain wall central charges in N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories in four dimensions in presence of the Omega background in the Nekrasov-Shatashvili (NS) limit. Existence of these charges entails presence of the corresponding topological defects in the theory - vortices and domain walls. In spirit of the 4d/2d duality we discuss the worldsheet low energy effective theory living on the BPS vortex in N=2 Supersymmetric Quantum Chromodynamics (SQCD). We discuss some aspects of the brane realization of the dualities between various quantum integrable models. A chain of such…
We revisit the leading irrelevant deformation of $\mathcal{N}=4$ Super Yang-Mills theory that preserves sixteen supercharges. We consider the deformed theory on $S^3 \times \mathbb{R}$. We are able to write a closed form expression of the classical action thanks to a formalism that realizes eight supercharges off shell. We then investigate integrability of the spectral problem, by studying the spin-chain Hamiltonian in planar perturbation theory. While there are some structural indications that a suitably defined deformation might preserve integrability, we are unable to settle this question b…
We apply MHV diagrams to the derivation of the one-loop dilatation operator of N=4 super Yang-Mills in the SO(6) sector. We find that in this approach the calculation reduces to the evaluation of a single MHV diagram in dimensional regularisation. This provides the first application of MHV diagrams to an off-shell quantity. We also discuss other applications of the method and future directions.
We review current efficient techniques for the construction of multi-leg and multi-loop on-shell scattering amplitudes in supersymmetric gauge theories. Examples in the maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions are included.
A scheme suitable for describing quantum nonultralocal models including supersymmetric ones is proposed. Braided algebras are generalised to be used through Baxterisation for constructing braided quantum Yang--Baxter equations. Supersymmetric and some known nonultralocal models are derived in the framework of the present approach. As further applications of this scheme construction of new quantum integrable nonultralocal models like mKdV and anyonic supersymmetric models including deformed anyonic super algebra are outlined.
We present an N=2-supersymmetric mechanical system whose bosonic sector, with two degrees of freedom, stems from the reduction of an SU(2) Yang-Mills theory with the assumption of spatially homogeneous field configurations and a particular ansatz imposed on the gauge potentials in the dimensional reduction procedure. The Painleve test is adopted to discuss integrability and we focus on the role of supersymmetry and parity invariance in two space dimensions for the attainment of integrable or chaotic models. Our conclusion is that the relationships among the parameters imposed by supersymmetry …
This is an announcement of some of the results of a longer paper where the supersymmetric vacua of two dimensional N=2 susy gauge theories with matter are shown to be in one-to-one correspondence with the eigenstates of integrable spin chain Hamiltonians. The correspondence between the Heisenberg spin chain and the two dimensional U(N) theory with fundamental hypermultiplets is reviewed in detail. We demonstrate the isomorphism of the equivariant quantum cohomology of the cotangent bundle to the Grassmanian manifold Gr(N,L) and the ring of quantum integrals of motion of the length L SU(2) XXX …
Integrability and supersymmetry of the supersymmetric extension of the sine-Gordon theory on a half-line are examined and the boundary potential which preserves both the integrability and supersymmetry on the bulk is derived. It appears that unlike the boundary bosonic sine-Gordon theory, integrability and supersymmetry strongly restrict the form and parameters of the boundary potential, so that no free parameter in the boundary term is allowed up to a choice of signs.
In the context of supersymmetric compactifications of type II supergravity to four dimensions, we show that orientifold sources can be compatible with a generalized SU(3) x SU(3)-structure that is neither strictly SU(3) nor static SU(2). We illustrate this with explicit examples, obtained by suitably T-dualizing known solutions on the six-torus. In addition we prove the following integrability statements, valid under certain mild assumptions: (a) for general type II supergravity backgrounds with orientifold and/or D-brane generalized-calibrated sources, the source-corrected Einstein and dilato…
We study supersymmetric Yang-Mills theories on the three-sphere, with massive matter and Fayet-Iliopoulos parameter, showing second order phase transitions for the non-Abelian theory, extending a previous result for the Abelian theory. We study both partition functions and Wilson loops and also discuss the case of different $R$-charges. Two interpretations of the partition function as eigenfunctions of the $A_{1} $ and free $A_{N-1}$ hyperbolic Calogero-Moser integrable model are given as well.
We discuss the possible relationship between geodesic flow, integrability and supersymmetry, using fermionic extensions of the KdV equation, as well as the recently introduced supersymmetrisation of the Camassa-Holm equation, as illustrative examples.
Supersymmetric extensions of Hamilton-Jacobi separable Liouville mechanical systems with two degrees of freedom are defined. It is shown that supersymmetry can be implemented in this type of systems in two independent ways. The structure of the constants of motion is unveiled and the entanglement between integrability and supersymmetry is explored.
We consider some simple examples of supersymmetric quantum mechanical systems and explore their possible geometric interpretation with the help of geometric aspects of real Clifford algebras. This leads to natural extensions of the considered systems to higher dimensions and more complicated potentials.
Relativistic arbitrary spin Hamiltonians are shown to obey the algebraic structure of supersymmetric quantum system if their odd and even parts commute. This condition is identical to that required for the exactness of the Foldy-Wouthuysen transformation. Applied to a massive charged spin-$1$ particle in a constant magnetic field, supersymmetric quantum mechanics necessarily requires a gyromagnetic factor $g=2$.
These notes accompany an introductory lecture course on the twistor approach to supersymmetric gauge theories aimed at early-stage PhD students. It was held by the author at the University of Cambridge during the Michaelmas term in 2009. The lectures assume a working knowledge of differential geometry and quantum field theory. No prior knowledge of twistor theory is required.
The integrability of the ${\cal N}=1$ supersymmetric modified Korteweg de-Vries (smKdV) hierarchy in the presence of defects is investigated through the construction of its super Bäcklund transformation. The construction of such transformation is performed by using essentially two methods: the Bäcklund-defect matrix approach and the superfield approach. Firstly, we employ the defect matrix associated to the hierarchy which turns out to be the same for the supersymmetric sinh-Gordon (sshG) model. The method is general for all flows and as an example we derive explicitly the Bäcklund equations i…
We prove the uniqueness of the ground state for a supersymmetric quantum mechanical system of two fermions and two bosons, which is closely related to the N=1 WZ-model. The proof is constructive and gives detailed information on what the ground state looks like.
We investigate dynamics of probe particles moving in the near-horizon limit of (2N+1)-dimensional extremal Myers-Perry black hole with arbitrary rotation parameters. We observe that in the most general case with nonequal nonvanishing rotational parameters the system admits separation of variables in N-dimensional ellipsoidal coordinates. This allows us to find solution of the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi equation and write down the explicit expressions of Liouville constants of motion.
A method is introduced for constructing lattice discretizations of large classes of integrable quantum field theories. The method proceeds in two steps: The quantum algebraic structure underlying the integrability of the model is determined from the algebra of the interaction terms in the light-cone representation. The representation theory of the relevant quantum algebra is then used to construct the basic ingredients of the quantum inverse scattering method, the lattice Lax matrices and R-matrices. This method is illustrated with four examples: The Sinh-Gordon model, the affine sl(3) Toda mo…
Supersymmetric backgrounds in M-theory often involve four-form flux in addition to pure geometry. In such cases, the classification of supersymmetric vacua involves the notion of generalized holonomy taking values in SL(32,R), the Clifford group for eleven-dimensional spinors. Although previous investigations of generalized holonomy have focused on the curvature \Rm_{MN}(Ω) of the generalized SL(32,R) connection Ω_M, we demonstrate that this local information is incomplete, and that satisfying the higher order integrability conditions is an essential feature of generalized holonomy. We also sh…
In this paper we propose a criteria to establish the integrability of N=2 supersymmetric massive theories.The basic data required are the vacua and the spectrum of Bogomolnyi solitons, which can be neatly encoded in a graph (nodes=vacua and links= Bogomolnyi solitons). Integrability is then equivalent to the existence of solutions of a generalized Yang-Baxter equation which is built up from the graph (graph-Yang-Baxter equation). We solve this equation for two general types of graphs: circular and daisy, proving, in particular, the inte- grability of the following Landau-Ginzburg superpotentia…
Partial symmetries are described by generalized group structures known as symmetric inverse semigroups. We use the algebras arising from these structures to realize supersymmetry in (0+1) dimensions and to build many-body quantum systems on a chain. This construction consists in associating appropriate supercharges to chain sites, in analogy to what is done in spin chains. For simple enough choices of supercharges, we show that the resulting states have a finite non-zero Witten index, which is invariant under perturbations, therefore defining supersymmetric phases of matter protected by the in…
Building on insights from the theory of integrable lattices, the integrability is claimed for nonlinear replica sigma models derived in the context of real symmetric random matrices. Specifically, the fermionic and the bosonic replica partition functions are proven to form a single (supersymmetric) Pfaff-KP hierarchy whose replica limit is shown to reproduce the celebrated nonperturbative formula for the density-density eigenvalue correlation function in the infinite-dimensional Gaussian Orthogonal Ensemble. Implications of the formalism outlined are briefly discussed.
We review the construction of minimally bosonized supersymmetric quantum mechanics and its relation to hidden supersymmetries in pure parabosonic (parafermionic) systems.
After recalling different formulations of the definition of supersymmetric quantum mechanics given in the literature, we discuss the relationships between them in order to provide an answer to the question raised in the title.
We construct a boundary Lagrangian for the N=2 supersymmetric sine-Gordon model which preserves (B-type) supersymmetry and integrability to all orders in the bulk coupling constant g. The supersymmetry constraint is expressed in terms of matrix factorisations.
We study the non-singlet sectors of matrix quantum mechanics (MQM) through an operator algebra which generates the spectrum. The algebra is a nonlinear extension of the W_\infty algebra where the nonlinearity comes from the angular part of the matrix which can not be neglected in the non-singlet sector. The algebra contains an infinite set of commuting generators which can be regarded as the conserved currents of MQM. We derive the spectrum and the eigenfunctions of these conserved quantities by a group theoretical method. An interesting feature of the spectrum of these charges in the non-sing…
The confluent second-order supersymmetric quantum mechanics, for which the factorization energies tend to a single value, is studied. We show that the Wronskian formula remains valid if generalized eigenfunctions are taken as seed solutions. The confluent algorithm is used to generate SUSY partners of the Coulomb potential.
The confluent second-order supersymmetric quantum mechanics, in which the factorization energies tend to a common value, is used to generate Hamiltonians with known spectra departing from the hyperbolic Rosen-Morse and Eckart potentials. The possible spectral modifications, as to create a new level or to delete a given one, as well as the isospectral transformations, are discussed.
This thesis is devoted to some particular aspects of integrability in $4d$ SUSY gauge theories. Taking advantage of the integrable structures emergent in the theory, non-local observables such as null polygonal Wilson loops are studied in $4d$ planar $\mathcal{N}=4$ Super Yang-Mills. Their duality with the $4d$ gluon scattering amplitudes makes the analysis even more interesting. The so-called \emph{Pentagon approach}, an application of the Operator Product Expansion (OPE) method to the null polygonal Wilsol loops, makes possible a non-perturbative evaluation of these objects. They are recast …
The confluent algorithm, a degenerate case of the second order supersymmetric quantum mechanics, is studied. It is shown that the transformation function must asymptotically vanish to induce non-singular final potentials. The technique can be used to create a single level above the initial ground state energy. The method is applied to the free particle, one-soliton well and harmonic oscillator.
In this thesis we discuss supersymmetric gauge theories, focusing on exact results achieved using methods of integrability. For the larger portion of the thesis we study the N=4 super Yang-Mills theory in the planar limit, a recurring topic being the Konishi anomalous dimension, which is roughly the analogue for the mass of the proton in quantum chromodynamics. The N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory is known to be integrable in the planar limit, which opens up a wealth of techniques one can employ in order to find results in this limit valid at any value of the coupling. We begin with pertur…
These notes provide an introduction toward Wilson loops in N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with a focus toward their integrability properties. In addition to a brief discussion of exact results for the circular Wilson loop and the cusp anomalous dimension, the notes focus on non-local symmetries, utilizing the integrability of the minimal surface problem that appears at strong coupling. This work is based on lectures given at the Young Researchers Integrability School and Workshop 2018. To appear in a special issue of J. Phys. A.
We reexamine the relation between contact structures on supermanifolds and supersymmetric mechanics in the superspace formulation. This allows one to use the language of contact geometry when dealing with the d = 1, N = 2 super-Poincare algebra.
Following the construction of a model for the planar supersymmetric Chaplygin gas, supersymmetric fluid mechanics in (1+1)-dimensions is obtained from the light-cone parametrized Nambu-Goto superstring in (2+1)-dimensions. The lineal model is completely integrable and can be formulated neatly using Riemann coordinates. Infinite towers of conserved charges and supercharges are exhibited. They form irreducible representations of a dynamical (hidden) SO(2,1) symmetry group.
We study supersymmetric quantum mechanics on the moduli space of Yang-Mills instantons on R^2 x T^2 and its application to the discrete light-cone quantisation (DLCQ) of N=4 SUSY Yang-Mills. In the presence of a target space magnetic field, the model has a discrete spectrum with the wavefunctions of generic energy eigenstates supported away from the singular points of the moduli space. The corresponding Hamiltonian is part of an osp(1,1|4) superalgebra which enlarges to su(1,1|4) superconformal invariance in the sector corresponding to the N=4 theory. The Hamiltonian is isospectral to the ligh…
We consider (warped) AdS string backgrounds which allow for a GKP spinning string/null cusp solution. Integrability implies that the worldsheet S-matrix should factorize, which in turn constrains the form of the warp factor as a function of the coordinates of the internal space. This constraint is argued to rule out integrability for all supersymmetric AdS7 and AdS6 backgrounds as well as AdS5 Gaiotto-Maldacena backgrounds and a few highly supersymmetric AdS4 and AdS3 backgrounds.
We investigate a deformed matrix model of type 0A theory related to supersymmetric Witten's black hole in two-dimensions, generalization of bosonic model suggested by Kazakov et. al. We find a free field realization of the partition function of the matrix model, which includes Ramond-Ramond perturbations in the type 0A theory. In a simple case, the partition function is factorized into two determinants, which are given by $τ$ function of an integrable system. We work out the genus expansion of the partition function. Holographic relation with the supersymmetric Witten's black hole is checked b…
C$_λ$-extended oscillator algebras, where C$_λ$ is the cyclic group of order $λ$, are introduced and realized as generalized deformed oscillator algebras. For $λ=2$, they reduce to the well-known Calogero-Vasiliev algebra. For higher $λ$ values, they are shown to provide in their bosonic Fock space representation some interesting applications to supersymmetric quantum mechanics and some variants thereof: an algebraic realization of supersymmetric quantum mechanics for cyclic shape invariant potentials of period $λ$, a bosonization of parasupersymmetric quantum mechanics of order $p = λ-1$, and…
It has been proven in arXiv:1303.0853 that all regular supersymmetric near-horizon geometries in minimal five-dimensional gauged supergravity admit automatic supersymmetry enhancement. Using this result, the integrability conditions associated with the existence of the additional supersymmetry are analysed, and the near-horizon geometries are determined explicitly. We show that they all correspond to previously constructed examples. Hence, there are no supersymmetric black ring solutions in minimal five-dimensional gauged supergravity.
