English

Integrable Sigma Models and Universal Root $T\bar{T}$ Deformation via Courant-Hilbert Approach

High Energy Physics - Theory 2025-12-23 v2

Abstract

We develop a unified Courant--Hilbert framework for constructing two-dimensional integrable sigma models deformed by two couplings: a marginal one γ\gamma and an irrelevant one λ\lambda. The integrability condition is encoded in a nonlinear partial differential equation (PDE) for two invariants (P1,P2)(P_1, P_2), whose general solution could be expressed through an arbitrary generating function (τ)\ell(\tau). This formulation encompasses and extends known models, such as ModMax and Born-Infeld, while introducing new classes of solvable models with closed-form Lagrangians, including those with logarithmic and qq-deformations. All resulting theories obey a universal root-TTT\overline{T} flow equation, consistent under dimensional reduction from four-dimensional duality-invariant electrodynamics. Using perturbative expansions, we recover ModMax in the free limit, determine the γ\gamma-dependence of the coupling functions, and show how different flow equations, including a single-trace form, naturally emerge. Our results reveal deep structural connections between self-duality, integrability, and deformation dynamics across different dimensions.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2509.17075,
  title  = {Integrable Sigma Models and Universal Root $T\bar{T}$ Deformation via Courant-Hilbert Approach},
  author = {H. Babaei-Aghbolagh and Bin Chen and Song He},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.17075},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

31 pages, No figures; v2: The version appears in JHEP