20 pages, 1 figure. Contribution to the proceedings of the Corfu Summer Institute 2019 "School and Workshops on Elementary Particle Physics and Gravity" (CORFU2019), 31 August - 25 September 2019, Corfu, Greece. One reference added
I review recent results concerning the construction of generalised "latitude" Wilson loops in ABJM theory. In particular, the parametric Matrix Model determining these operators exactly is presented, as well as the exact prescription for computing different types of Bremsstrahlung functions from circular Wilson loops. In this context the physical meaning of framing in non-topological three-dimensional theories is clarified.
We investigate several aspects of BPS latitude Wilson loops in gauge theories in three dimensions with $\mathcal{N}\ge 4$ supersymmetry. We derive a matrix model for the bosonic latitude Wilson loop in ABJM using supersymmetric localization, and show how to extend the computation to more general Chern-Simons-matter theories. We then define latitude type Wilson and vortex loop operators in theories without Chern-Simons terms, and explore a connection to the recently derived superalgebra defining local Higgs and Coulomb branch operators in these theories. Finally, we identify a BPS loop operator…
I consider three-point functions of twist-one operators in ABJM at weak coupling. I compute the structure constant of correlators involving one twist-one un-protected operator and two protected ones for a few finite values of the spin, up to two-loop order. As an application I enforce a limit on the gauge group ranks, in which I relate the structure constant for three chiral primary operators to the expectation value of a supersymmetric Wilson loop. Such a relation is then used to perform a successful five-loop test on the matrix model conjectured to describe the supersymmetric Wilson loop.
In ABJ(M) theory, we propose a matrix model for the exact evaluation of BPS Wilson loops on a latitude circular contour, so providing a new weak-strong interpolation tool. Intriguingly, the matrix model turns out to be a particular case of that computing torus knot invariants in $U(N_1|N_2)$ Chern-Simons theory. At weak coupling we check our proposal against a three-loop computation, performed for generic framing, winding number and representation. The matrix model is amenable of a Fermi gas formulation, which we use to systematically compute the strong coupling and genus expansions. For the f…
We present the three-loop calculation of the Bremsstrahlung function associated to the 1/2-BPS cusp in ABJM theory, including color subleading corrections. Using the BPS condition we reduce the computation to that of a cusp with vanishing angle. We work within the framework of heavy quark effective theory (HQET) that further simplifies the analytic evaluation of the relevant cusp anomalous dimension in the near-BPS limit. The result passes nontrivial tests, such as exponentiation, and is in agreement with the conjecture made in [1] for the exact expression of the Bremsstrahlung function, based…
We review recent progress in determining the partition function of the ABJM theory in the large N expansion, including all of the perturbative and non-perturbative corrections. Especially, we will focus on how these exact expansions are obtained from various beautiful relations to Fermi gas system, topological string theory, integrable model and supergroup.
We report on the exact computation of the S^3 partition function of U(N)_k\times U(N)_{-k} ABJM theory for k=1, N=1,...,19. The result is a polynomial in π^{-1} with rational coefficients. As an application of our results we numerically determine the coefficient of the membrane 1-instanton correction to the partition function.
We introduce a new purely bosonic, $\frac{1}{6}$ BPS Wilson loop for ABJM theory on $S^3$ that couples scalar fields to a latitude at an angle $θ$ on $S^2\in\mathbb{C}P^3$. Through localization of this operator, we relate the expansion of the cusp anomalous dimension at small cusp angles to the logarithmic derivative of the ABJM Wilson loop. This defines, non-perturbatively in the 't Hooft coupling, the bremsstrahlung function $B(λ)$ describing in three dimensions the soft radiation of a $W$-boson undergoing a sudden change in trajectory. We compare our results for $B(λ)$ to the known weak/str…
We exactly compute the partition function for $U(2)_k\times U(2)_{-k}$ ABJM theory on $\mathbb S^3$ deformed by mass $m$ and Fayet-Iliopoulos parameter $ζ$. For $k=1,2$, the partition function has an infinite number of Lee-Yang zeros. For general $k$, in the decompactification limit the theory exhibits a quantum (first-order) phase transition at $m=2ζ$.
We study planar ABJM in a limit where one coupling is negligible compared to the other. We provide a recipe for exactly solving the expectation value of bosonic BPS Wilson loops on arbitrary smooth contours, or the leading divergence for cusped ones, using results from localization. As an application, we compute the exact (generalized) cusp anomalous dimension and Bremsstrahlung function and use it to determine the interpolating $h$-function. We finally prove a conjecture on the exact form of the dilatation operator in a closed sector, hinting at the integrability of this limit.
Recent progresses in the computation of quantum string corrections to holographic Wilson loops are extended to the case of strings in $AdS_{4}\times CP^{3}$. For this, the ratio of 1/2-BPS circular and 1/6-BPS latitude fermionic Wilson loops in ABJM is considered at strong coupling by studying the corresponding semiclassical string partition functions. Explicit evaluation of fluctuation determinants using phaseshifts and diffeomorphism invariant regulators leads to exact matching with the recent field theory proposal. Key to this computation is the choice of boundary conditions for massless fe…
We study the Fermi gas quantum mechanics associated to the ABJM matrix model. We develop the method to compute the grand partition function of the ABJM theory, and compute exactly the partition function Z(N) up to N=9 when the Chern-Simons level k=1. We find that the eigenvalue problem of this quantum mechanical system is reduced to the diagonalization of a certain Hankel matrix. In reducing the number of integrations by commuting coordinates and momenta, we find an exact relation concerning the grand partition function, which is interesting on its own right and very helpful for determining th…
We construct a class of operators, given by Schur polynomials, in ABJM theory. By computing two point functions at finite $N$ we confirm these are diagonal for this class of operators in the free field limit. We also calculate exact three and multi point correlators in the zero coupling limit. Finally, we consider a particular nontrivial background produced by an operator with an $R$-charge of $O(N^2$. We show that the nonplanar corrections (which can no longer be neglected, even at large $N$) can be resummed to give a $1/(N+M)$ expansion for correlators computed in this background.
Using the Quantum Spectral Curve approach we compute exactly an observable (called slope function) in the planar ABJM theory in terms of an unknown interpolating function h(λ) which plays the role of the coupling in any integrability based calculation in this theory. We verified our results with known weak coupling expansion in the gauge theory and with the results of semi-classical string calculations. Quite surprisingly at strong coupling the result is given by an explicit rational function of h(λ) to all orders. By comparing the structure of our result with that of an exact localization-bas…
We derive an exact algebraic identity between the two-loop four-point amplitude in ABJM theory and the corresponding one-loop amplitude in N=4 SYM theory. This identity generalizes previous partial results to an exact relation valid at all orders in the IR regulator. Moreover, it allows to conjecture an exact iterative expression for the complete three dimensional amplitude in terms of the BDS ansatz for the four dimensional one, indicating that the strict relation between the two amplitudes experimented at two loops might propagate to all orders. In particular, an almost complete expression f…
Recently, Kapustin, Willett and Yaakov have found, by using localization techniques, that vacuum expectation values of Wilson loops in ABJM theory can be calculated with a matrix model. We show that this matrix model is closely related to Chern-Simons theory on a lens space with a gauge supergroup. This theory has a topological string large N dual, and this makes possible to solve the matrix model exactly in the large N expansion. In particular, we find the exact expression for the vacuum expectation value of a 1/6 BPS Wilson loop in the ABJM theory, as a function of the 't Hooft parameters, a…
Using the matrix model which calculates the exact free energy of ABJM theory on S^3 we study non-perturbative effects in the large N expansion of this model, i.e., in the genus expansion of type IIA string theory on AdS4xCP^3. We propose a general prescription to extract spacetime instanton actions from general matrix models, in terms of period integrals of the spectral curve, and we use it to determine them explicitly in the ABJM matrix model, as exact functions of the 't Hooft coupling. We confirm numerically that these instantons control the asymptotic growth of the genus expansion. Further…
In this paper we study the Bremsstrahlung functions for the 1/6 BPS and the 1/2 BPS Wilson lines in ABJM theory. First we use a superconformal defect approach to prove a conjectured relation between the Bremsstrahlung functions associated to the geometric ($B^φ_{1/6}$) and R-symmetry ($B^θ_{1/6}$) deformations of the 1/6 BPS Wilson line. This result, non-trivially following from a defect supersymmetric Ward identity, provides an exact expression for $B^θ_{1/6}$ based on a known result for $B^φ_{1/6}$. Subsequently, we explore the consequences of this relation for the 1/2 BPS Wilson line and, u…
We introduce ABJM quantum field theory in the noncommutative spacetime by using the component formalism and show that it is N=6 supersymmetric. For the U(1)_κ x U(1)_{-κ} case, we compute all one-loop 1PI two and three point functions in the Landau gauge and show that they are UV finite and have well-defined commutative limits theta^{μν} -> 0, corresponding exactly to the 1PI functions of the ordinary ABJM field theory. This result also holds for all one-loop functions which are UV finite by power counting. It seems that the quantum noncommutative ABJM field theory is free from the noncommutat…
We study the instanton effects of the ABJM partition function using the Fermi gas formalism. We compute the exact values of the partition function at the Chern-Simons levels k=1,2,3,4,6 up to N=44,20,18,16,14 respectively, and extract non-perturbative corrections from these exact results. Fitting the resulting non-perturbative corrections by their expected forms from the Fermi gas, we determine unknown parameters in them. After separating the oscillating behavior of the grand potential, which originates in the periodicity of the grand partition function, and the worldsheet instanton contributi…
We present a detailed account and extension of our claim in arXiv:1610.01490. We test the gauge/gravity duality between the ${\cal N} = 6$ mass-deformed ABJM theory with U$_k(N)\times$U$_{-k}(N)$ gauge symmetry and the 11-dimensional supergravity on LLM geometries with SO(4)/${\mathbb Z}_k$ $\times$SO(4)/${\mathbb Z}_k$ isometry, in the large $N$ limit. Our analysis is based on the evaluation of vacuum expectation values of chiral primary operators from the supersymmetric vacua of mass-deformed ABJM theory and from the implementation of Kaluza-Klein holography to the LLM geometries. We focus o…
The large-$N$ limit of ABJM theory is holographically dual to M-theory on AdS$_4\times S^7/\mathbb{Z}_k$. The 3-sphere partition function has been obtained via localization, and its leading behavior $F_{\text{ABJM}}^{(0)}\sim k^{1/2}N^{3/2}$ is exactly reproduced in the dual theory by tree-level supergravity. We extend this comparison to the sub-leading $\mathcal O(N^0)$ order by computing the one-loop supergravity free energy as a function of $k$ and comparing it with the ABJM result. Curiously, we find that the expressions do not match, with $F_{\text{SUGRA}}^{(1)}\sim k^6$, while $F_{\text{…
We revisit the computation of the two-loop light-like tetragonal Wilson loop for three dimensional pure Chern-Simons and N=6 Chern-Simons-matter theory, within dimensional regularization with dimensional reduction scheme. Our examination shows that, contrary to prior belief, the result respects maximal transcendentality as is the case of the four-point scattering amplitude of the theory. Remarkably, the corrected result matches exactly the scattering amplitude both in the divergent and in the finite parts, constants included.
It was known that the ABJM matrix model is dual to the topological string theory on a Calabi-Yau manifold. Using this relation it was possible to write down the exact instanton expansion of the partition function of the ABJM matrix model. The expression consists of a universal function constructed from the free energy of the refined topological string theory with an overall topological invariant characterizing the Calabi-Yau manifold. In this paper we explore two other superconformal Chern-Simons theories of the circular quiver type. We find that the partition function of one theory enjoys the…
We investigate the exact results for circular 1/4 and 1/2 BPS Wilson loops in the $d=3$ ${\mathcal N}=4$ super Chern-Simons-matter theory that could be obtained by orbifolding Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena (ABJM) theory. The partition function of the ${\mathcal N}=4$ orbifold ABJM theory has been computed previously in the literature. In this paper, we re-derive it using a slightly different method. We calculate the vacuum expectation values of the circular 1/4 BPS Wilson loops in fundamental representation and of circular 1/2 BPS Wilson loops in arbitrary representations. We use both the…
Based on the recent indications of integrability in the planar ABJ model, we conjecture an exact expression for the interpolating function h(λ_1,λ_2) in this theory. Our conjecture is based on the observation that the integrability structure of the ABJM theory given by its Quantum Spectral Curve is very rigid and does not allow for a simple consistent modification. Under this assumption, we revised the previous comparison of localization results and exact all loop integrability calculations done for the ABJM theory by one of the authors and Grigory Sizov, fixing h(λ_1,λ_2). We checked our conj…
We study operator insertions into 1/2 BPS Wilson loops in N = 6 ABJM theory and investigate their two-point correlators. In this framework, the energy emitted by a heavy moving probe can be exactly obtained from some two-point coefficients of bosonic and fermionic insertions. This allows us to confirm an early proposal for computing the Bremsstrahlung function in terms of certain supersymmetric circular Wilson loops, whose value might be accessible to localization techniques. In the derivation of this result we also elucidate the structure of protected multiplets in the relevant superconformal…
We compute the 1-loop partition function for strings in $AdS_4\times\mathbb{CP}^3$, whose worldsheets end along a line with small cusp angles in the boundary of AdS. We obtain these 1-loop results in terms of the vacuum energy for on-shell modes. Our results verify the proposal by Lewkowycz and Maldacena in arXiv:1312.5682 for the exact Bremsstrahlung function up to the next to leading order in the strong coupling expansion. The agreement is observed for cusps distorting either the 1/2 BPS or the 1/6 BPS Wilson line.
We compute the null cusp anomalous dimension of ABJM theory at strong coupling up to two-loop order. This is done by evaluating corrections to the corresponding superstring partition function, weighted by the $AdS_4\times \mathbb{CP}^3$ action in AdS light-cone gauge. We compare our result, where we use an anomalous shift in the $AdS_4$ radius, with the cusp anomaly of $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM, and extract the two-loop contribution to the non-trivial integrable coupling $h(λ)$ of ABJM theory. It coincides with the strong coupling expansion of the exact expression for $ h(λ)$ recently conjectured by…
We study vacuum expectation values (VEVs) of circular half BPS Wilson loops in arbitrary representations in ABJM theory. We find that those in hook representations are reduced to elementary integrations thanks to the Fermi gas formalism, which are accessible from the numerical studies similar to the partition function in the previous studies. For non-hook representations, we show that the VEVs in the grand canonical formalism can be exactly expressed as determinants of those in the hook representations. Using these facts, we can study the instanton effects of the VEVs in various representation…
We consider a spherical region with a heavy quark in the middle. We compute the extra entanglement entropy due to the presence of a heavy quark both in ${\cal N}=4 $ Super Yang Mills and in the ${\cal N}=6$ Chern-Simons matter theory (ABJM). This is done by relating the computation to the expectation value of a circular Wilson loop and a stress tensor insertion. We also give an exact expression for the Bremsstrahlung function that determines the energy radiated by a quark in the ABJM theory.
Budapest University of Technology and Economics(布达佩斯技术与经济大学);HUN-REN Wigner Research Centre for Physics(匈牙利研究与教育网络温格物理研究中心);Institut de Physique Théorique, Université Paris Saclay, CNRS(巴黎萨克雷大学理论物理研究所,法国国家科学研究中心)
We present a new Fermi gas formalism for the ABJ matrix model. This formulation identifies the effect of the fractional M2-brane in the ABJ matrix model as that of a composite Wilson loop operator in the corresponding ABJM matrix model. Using this formalism, we study the phase part of the ABJ partition function numerically and find a simple expression for it. We further compute a few exact values of the partition function at some coupling constants. Fitting these exact values against the expected form of the grand potential, we can determine the grand potential with exact coefficients. The res…
The partition function of N=6 supersymmetric Chern-Simons-matter theory (known as ABJM theory) on S^3, as well as certain Wilson loop observables, are captured by a zero dimensional super-matrix model. This super-matrix model is closely related to a matrix model describing topological Chern-Simons theory on a lens space. We explore further these recent observations and extract more exact results in ABJM theory from the matrix model. In particular we calculate the planar free energy, which matches at strong coupling the classical IIA supergravity action on AdS_4 x CP^3 and gives the correct N^{…
In this paper we construct and classify novel Drukker-Trancanelli (DT) type BPS Wilson loops along infinite straight lines and circles in $\mathcal N=2,3$ quiver superconformal Chern-Simons-matter theories, Aharony-Bergman-Jafferis-Maldacena (ABJM) theory, and $\mathcal N=4$ orbifold ABJM theory. Generally we have four classes of Wilson loops, and all of them preserve the same supersymmetries as the BPS Gaiotto-Yin (GY) type Wilson loops. There are several free complex parameters in the DT type BPS Wilson loops, and for two classes of Wilson loops in ABJM theory and $\mathcal N=4$ orbifold ABJ…
We evaluate the exact one-loop partition function for fundamental strings whose world-surface ends on a cusp at the boundary of AdS_4 and has a "jump" in CP^3. This allows us to extract the stringy prediction for the ABJM generalized cusp anomalous dimension Gamma_{cusp}^{ABJM} (phi,theta) up to NLO in sigma-model perturbation theory. With a similar analysis, we present the exact partition functions for folded closed string solutions moving in the AdS_3 parts of AdS_4 x CP^3 and AdS_3 x S^3 x S^3 x S^1 backgrounds. Results are obtained applying to the string solutions relevant for the AdS_4/CF…
We compute the anomalous dimension for a short single-trace operator in planar ABJM theory at intermediate coupling. This is done by solving numerically the set of Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz equations which are expected to describe the exact spectrum of the theory. We implement a truncation method which significantly reduces the number of integral equations to be solved and improves numerical efficiency. Results are obtained for a range of 't Hooft coupling lambda corresponding to $0 \leq h(λ) \leq 1$, where h(lambda) is the interpolating function of the AdS4/CFT3 Bethe equations.
We use localization techniques to compute the expectation values of supersymmetric Wilson loops in Chern-Simons theories with matter. We find the path-integral reduces to a non-Gaussian matrix model. The Wilson loops we consider preserve a single complex supersymmetry, and exist in any N=2 theory, though the localization requires superconformal symmetry. We present explicit results for the cases of pure Chern-Simons theory with gauge group U(N), showing agreement with the known results, and ABJM, showing agreement with perturbative calculations. Our method applies to other theories, such as Ga…
We study the exact spectrum of the AdS4/CFT3 duality put forward by Aharony, Bergman, Jafferis and Maldacena (ABJM). We derive thermodynamic Bethe ansatz (TBA) equations for the planar ABJM theory, starting from "mirror" asymptotic Bethe equations which we conjecture. We also propose generalization of the TBA equations for excited states. The recently proposed Y-system is completely consistent with the TBA equations for a large subsector of the theory, but should be modified in general. We find the general asymptotic infinite length solution of the Y-system, and also several solutions to all w…
M2 brane in AdS$_4\times S^7/\mathbb Z_k$: 2-loop correction to $\frac{1}{2}$-BPS Wilson loop vs localization in ABJM theory
Università del Salento(萨伦托大学);INFN - sezione di Lecce(意大利国家核物理研究所莱切分部);Abdus Salam Centre for Theoretical Physics, Imperial College London(伦敦帝国理工学院阿卜杜斯·萨拉姆理论物理中心);ITMP of MSU(莫斯科国立大学理论与数学物理研究所);Lebedev Inst.(列别捷夫研究所)
We study the correspondence between scattering amplitudes and Wilson loops in three-dimensional Chern-Simons matter theories. In particular, using N=2 superspace formalism, we compute at one loop the whole spectrum of four-point superamplitudes for generic N>=2 supersymmetric theories and find a vanishing result for N=6 ABJ(M) and N=8 BLG models. This restricts the possible range of theories for which Wilson loops/scattering amplitudes duality might work. At two loops, we present the computation of the four-point ABJ scattering amplitude for external chiral superfields. Extending the known res…
We consider different supersymmetric mixed boundary conditions for scalar and fermionic fields in $AdS_2$, searching for the dual description of a family of interpolating Wilson Loops in ABJM theory. The family, which interpolates between the bosonic 1/6 BPS loop and the 1/2 BPS loop, can be thought of as an exact marginal deformation in a defect CFT$_1$. Confronting this property against holographic correlators and vacuum energy corrections singles out a particular boundary condition which we propose as dual to the interpolating family of Wilson loops.
We construct new families of 1/4 BPS Wilson loops in circular quiver $\mathcal N=4$ superconformal Chern-Simons-matter (SCSM) theories in three dimensions. They are defined as the holonomy of superconnections that contain non-trivial couplings to scalar and fermions, and cannot be reduced to block-diagonal matrices. Consequently, the new operators cannot be written in terms of double-node Wilson loops, as the ones considered so far in the literature. For particular values of the couplings the superconnection becomes block-diagonal and we recover the known fermionic 1/4 and 1/2 BPS Wilson loops…
We revisit the computation of the 1-loop string correction to the "latitude" minimal surface in $AdS_5 \times S^5$ representing 1/4 BPS Wilson loop in planar $\cal N$=4 SYM theory previously addressed in arXiv:1512.00841 and arXiv:1601.04708. We resolve the problem of matching with the subleading term in the strong coupling expansion of the exact gauge theory result (derived previously from localization) using a different method to compute determinants of 2d string fluctuation operators. We apply perturbation theory in a small parameter (angle of the latitude) corresponding to an expansion nea…
We study the strong coupling behaviour of $1/4$-BPS circular Wilson loops (a family of "latitudes") in ${\cal N}=4$ Super Yang-Mills theory, computing the one-loop corrections to the relevant classical string solutions in AdS$_5\times$S$^5$. Supersymmetric localization provides an exact result that, in the large 't Hooft coupling limit, should be reproduced by the sigma-model approach. To avoid ambiguities due to the absolute normalization of the string partition function, we compare the $ratio$ between the generic latitude and the maximal 1/2-BPS circle: Any measure-related ambiguity should s…
We study string quantum corrections to the ratio of latitude and circular Wilson loops in N=4 super-Yang-Mills theory at strong coupling. Conformal gauge for the corresponding minimal surface in AdS(5)xS(5) is singular and we show that an IR anomaly associated with the divergence in the conformal factor removes previously reported discrepancy with the exact field-theory result. We also carefully check conformal anomaly cancellation and recalculate fluctuation determinants by directly evaluating phaseshifts for all the fluctuation modes.
We review some exact results for the matrix models appearing in the localization of Chern-Simons-matter theories, focusing on the structure of non-perturbative effects and onthe M-theory expansion of ABJM theory. We also summarize some of the results obtained for other Chern-Simons-matter theories, as well as recent applications to topological strings.
For three-dimensional ABJ(M) theories and $\mathcal N=4$ Chern-Simons-matter quiver theories, we construct two sets of 1/2 BPS Wilson loop operators by applying the Higgsing procedure along independent directions of the moduli space, and choosing different massive modes. For theories whose dual M-theory description is known, we also determine the corresponding spectrum of 1/2 BPS M2-brane solutions. We identify the supercharges in M-theory and field theory, as well as the supercharges preserved by M2-/anti-M2-branes and 1/2 BPS Wilson loops. In particular, in $\mathcal N=4$ orbifold ABJM theor…
We investigate the supersymmetric Wilson loops in $d=3$ $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Chern-Simons-matter theory obtained from non-chiral orbifold of ABJM theory. We work in both Minkowski spacetime and Euclidean space, and we construct 1/4 and 1/2 BPS Wilson loops. We also provide a complete proof that the difference between 1/4 and 1/2 Wilson loops is $Q$-exact with $Q$ being some supercharge that is preserved by both the 1/4 and 1/2 Wilson loops. This plays an important role in applying the localization techniques to compute the vacuum expectation values of Wilson loops. We also study the M-theory …