Related papers: From world-sheet supersymmetry to super target spa…
Upon compactification on a circle, SU(N) gauge theory with all fields in the adjoint representation acquires a $Z_N$ global symmetry because the center of the gauge group is $Z_N$. For N=4 super Yang-Mills theory, we show how this $Z_N$…
World-sheet and spacetime supersymmetries that are manifest in some string backgrounds may not be so in their T-duals. Nevertheless, they always remain symmetries of the underlying conformal field theory. In previous work the mechanism by…
The behaviour of supersymmetric D-branes under deformations of the closed string background is studied using world-sheet methods. We explain how lines of marginal stability and obstructions arise from this point of view. We also show why…
We explore the dynamics of a simple class of two-dimensional models with $(0,1)$ supersymmetry, namely sigma-models with target $S^3$ and the minimal possible set of fields. For any nonzero value of the Wess--Zumino coupling $k$, we…
We propose a simple method for constructing representations of (super)conformal and nonlinear W-type algebras in terms of their subalgebras and corresponding Nambu-Goldstone fields. We apply it to N=2 and N=1 superconformal algebras and…
Semichiral $(2,2)$ sigma models with $4d$ target space are discussed. A novel description in $(1,1)$ superspace allows an analysis of possible extended supersymmetries. It is argued that a manifest semichiral realization of an extra…
The aim of this talk is to explain how symmetry breaking in a quantum field theory problem leads to a study of projective bundles, Dixmier-Douady classes, and associated gerbes. A gerbe manifests itself in different equivalent ways. Besides…
We analyze in detail the relation between an exactly marginal deformation of N=4 SYM - the Leigh-Strassler or ``beta-deformation'' - and its string theory dual (recently constructed in hep-th/0502086) by comparing energies of semiclassical…
In this paper we generalize our investigation of the unitarity of non-compact WZNW models connected to Hermitian symmetric spaces to the N=1 world-sheet supersymmetric extension of these models. We will prove that these models have a…
We construct two-dimensional N=(2,2) lattice super Yang-Mills theory, where the gauge and Higgs fields are all represented by U(N) compact variables, with keeping one exact supercharge along the line of the papers [1,2,3]. Interestingly,…
We investigate $N=2$ extended superconformal symmetry, using the half-twisted Landau-Ginzburg models. The first example is the $D_{2n+2}$ -type minimal model. It has been conjectured that this model has a spin $n$ super $W$ current. We…
In this paper we study segmented strings in AdS$_3$ coupled to a background two-form whose field strength is proportional to the volume form. By changing the coupling, the theory interpolates between the Nambu-Goto string and the $SL(2)$…
We study the duality between string theory on AdS_3 X S^3 X S^3 and two-dimensional conformal theories with large N=4 superconformal algebra A_gamma. We discuss configurations of intersecting branes which give rise to such near-horizon…
N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory with gauge group SU(n) (n>=3) is believed to have two exactly marginal deformations which break the supersymmetry to N=1. We discuss the construction of the string theory dual to these deformations, in…
String backgrounds associated with gauged $G/H$ WZNW models generically depend on $\alpha'$ or $1/k$. The exact expressions for the corresponding metric $G_{\m\n}$, antisymmetric tensor $B_{\m\n}$, and dilaton $\phi$ can be obtained by…
We propose a two-dimensional superstring sigma model that defines a self-contained corner of heterotic string theory, whose second quantization is heterotic matrix string theory. This worldsheet theory arises from a BPS decoupling limit…
A general formalism to construct and improve supercurrents and source or anomaly superfields in two-derivative N=1 supersymmetric theories is presented. It includes arbitrary gauge and chiral superfields and a linear superfield coupled to…
The topological B-model with target the supertwistor space CP(3|4) is known to describe perturbative amplitudes of N=4 Super Yang-Mills theory. We review the extension of this correspondence to the superconformal gauge theories that arise…
The two-point function of exactly marginal operators leads to a universal contribution to the trace anomaly in even dimensions. We study aspects of this trace anomaly, emphasizing its interpretation as a sigma model, whose target space M is…
The $N=2$ minimal superconformal model can be twisted yielding an example of topological conformal field theory. In this article we investigate a Lie theoretic extension of this process.