119249635
ABJM amplitudes and WL at finite N
A bstractWe evaluate ABJM observables at two loops, for any value of the rank N of the gauge group. We compute the color subleading contributions to the four-point scattering amplitude in ABJM at two loops. Contrary to the four dimensional case, IR divergent N-subleading contributions are proportional to leading poles in the regularization parameter. We then exploit the non-planar calculation for the amplitude to derive an expression for the two-loop Sudakov form factor at any N. In the planar limit the result coincides with the one recently obtained in literature by using Feynman diagrams and unitarity. Finally, we analyze the subleading contributions to the light-like four-cusps Wilson loop and interpret the result in terms of the non-abelian exponentiation theorem. All these perturbative results satisfy the uniform transcendentality principle, hinting at its validity in ABJM beyond the planar limit.
123488833
Scattering amplitudes in three-dimensional superconformal field theory
Recent progress in computation of loop amplitudes in three-dimensional superconformal models is reviewed.
119108513
The 1/2 BPS Wilson loop in ABJ(M) at two loops: the details
A bstractWe compute the expectation value of the 1/2 BPS circular Wilson loop operator in ABJ(M) theory at two loops in perturbation theory. Our result turns out to be in exact agreement with the weak coupling limit of the prediction coming from localization, including finite N contributions associated to non-planar diagrams. It also confirms the identification of the correct framing factor that connects framing-zero and framing one expressions, previously proposed. The evaluation of the 1/2 BPS operator is made technically difficult in comparison with other observables of ABJ(M) theory by the appearance of integrals involving the coupling between fermions and gauge fields, which are absent for instance in the 1/6 BPS case. We describe in detail how to analytically solve these integrals in dimensional regularization with dimensional reduction (DRED). By suitably performing the physical limit to three dimensions we clarify the role played by short distance divergences on the final result and the mechanism of their cancellation.
119117490
Nonplanarity through unitarity in the ABJM theory
We use unitarity techniques to compute the two-loop non-planar corrections to the Sudakov form factor and the four-point amplitude in ABJM theory. We start by reconstructing non-planar integrals from two-particle cuts in three dimensions. This causes ambiguities, due to the one-loop four-point amplitude being subleading in dimensional regularization. We provide a prescription to circumvent them and show that it leads to the correct results, as checked against the recent Feynman diagram computation. For the amplitude we point out an alternative basis of integrals, including a non-planar double-box with a numerator inspired by color-kinematics duality. We reproduce the result using a combination thereof with the coefficients fixed by generalized unitarity. For BLG theory we propose that this gives the form of the amplitude satisfying color-kinematics duality. Finally, we compute the complete two-loop amplitude of three-dimensional N = 8 SYM, and the corresponding four-point amplitude in N = 16 supergravity as a double copy.
54173371
One loop amplitudes in ABJM
A bstractFor three dimensional $ \mathcal{N} = 6 $ superconformal field theories we compute oneloop scattering amplitudes for any number of external particles. We focus on a particular subsector of $ \mathcal{N} = 2 $ invariant superamplitudes for which the ordinary perturbative evaluation becomes very easy. The result we obtain is in general non-vanishing. For six external particles our findings are sufficient for determining the complete expression of the $ \mathcal{N} = 6 $ superamplitude at this order. We discuss the symmetries of the result and its anomalous variation under superconformal generators.
52023598
On the ABJM four-point amplitude at three loops and BDS exponentiation
A bstractWe study the three-loop four-point amplitude in ABJM theory. We determine the dual conformal invariant integrals with highest number of propagators and fix their coefficients by two-particle cuts. Evaluating such a combination of integrals in dimensional regularization we provide evidence for exponentiation of the amplitude, including the finite terms. In addition we show that the three-loop amplitude can be expressed in terms of classical polylogarithms of uniform degree of transcendentality.
14307372
Testing theories of gravity with a spherical gravitational wave detector
We consider the possibility of discriminating different theories of gravity using a recently proposed gravitational wave detector of spherical shape. We argue that the spin content of different theories can be extracted relating the measurements of the excited spheroidal vibrational eigenmodes to the Newman - Penrose parameters. The sphere toroidal modes cannot be excited by any metric GW and can thus be used as a veto.
118500537
Pair production of small black holes in heterotic string theories
We study pair production of small BPS BH’s in heterotic strings compactified on tori and in the FHSV model. After recalling the identification of small BH’s in the perturbative BPS spectrum, we compute the tree-level amplitudes for processes initiated by massless vector bosons or gravitons. We then analyze the resulting cross sections in terms of energy and angular distributions. Finally, we briefly comment on scenari with large extra dimensions and on generalizations of our results to non-BPS, non-extremal and rotating BH’s.
15565222
Notes on unoriented D-brane instantons
In the first lecture, we discuss basic aspects of worldsheet and penta-brane instantons as well as (unoriented) D-brane instantons, which is our main focus here, and threshold corrections to BPS-saturated couplings. The second lecture is devoted to non-perturbative superpotentials generated by `gauge' and `exotic' instantons living on D3-branes at orientifold singularities. In the third lecture we discuss the interplay between worldsheet and D-string instantons on $T^4/Z_2$. We focus on a 4-fermi amplitude, give Heterotic and perturbative Type I descriptions, and offer a multi D-string instanton interpretation. We conclude with possible interesting developments.
6821869
Duality symmetries in string theory
We review the status of duality symmetries in superstring theories. These discrete symmetries mark the striking differences between theories of pointlike objects and theories of extended objects. They prove to be very helpful in understanding non-perturbative effects in string theories. We will also briefly discuss the strange role played by open strings and their solitons in the emerging scenario.
53865790
Scattering higher spins off D-branes
A bstractWe study scattering amplitudes of higher spin closed-string states off D-branes. For states in the ‘first Regge trajectory’ we find remarkable simplifications both at tree level and at one loop. We discuss the high energy behavior in the Regge limit and comment on the validity of the eikonal approximation in this regime.