Exact duality transformations for sigma models and gauge theories

TL;DR

This paper introduces an exact duality transformation for lattice sigma models and gauge theories with non-Abelian symmetries, linking strong and weak coupling regimes and expressing models in terms of spin networks and foams.

Contribution

It provides a novel, exact duality transformation applicable to non-Abelian sigma models and gauge theories in any dimension, with a comprehensive group-theoretic formulation.

Findings

Duality maps strong coupling to weak coupling regimes.

Partition functions expressed via group representations and intertwiners.

Applicable to models with non-Abelian symmetries in various dimensions.

Abstract

We present an exact duality transformation in the framework of Statistical Mechanics for various lattice models with non-Abelian global or local symmetries. The transformation applies to sigma models with variables in a compact Lie group G with global GxG-symmetry (the chiral model) and with variables in coset spaces G/H and a global G-symmetry (for example, the non-linear O(N) or RP^N models) in any dimension d>=1. It is also available for lattice gauge theories with local gauge symmetry in dimensions d>=2 and for the models obtained from minimally coupling a sigma model of the type mentioned above to a gauge theory. The duality transformation maps the strong coupling regime of the original model to the weak coupling regime of the dual model. Transformations are available for the partition function, for expectation values of fundamental variables (correlators and generalized Wilson loops) and for expectation values in the dual model which correspond in the original formulation to certain ratios of partition functions (free energies of dislocations, vortices or monopoles). Whereas the original models are formulated in terms of compact Lie groups G and H, coset spaces G/H and integrals over them, the configurations of the dual model are given in terms of representations and intertwiners of G. They are spin networks and spin foams. The partition function of the dual model describes the group theoretic aspects of the strong coupling expansion in a closed form.