New Effects in Gauge Theory from pp-wave Superstrings

TL;DR

This paper explores how string theory in a pp-wave background can be used to compute complex observables in gauge theory, revealing new interpolating functions and fractional powers of the coupling constant.

Contribution

It extends previous work by analyzing more complicated observables using pp-wave superstring field theory, uncovering novel interpolating functions and fractional powers of the coupling.

Findings

Identification of more complex interpolating functions

Discovery of fractional powers of lambda' in observables

Extension of gauge/string duality calculations

Abstract

It has recently been observed that IIB string theory in the pp-wave background can be used to calculate certain quantities, such as the dimensions of BMN operators, as exact functions of the effective coupling lambda' = lambda/J^2. These functions interpolate smoothly between the weak and strong effective coupling regimes of N=4 SYM theory at large R charge J. In this paper we use the pp-wave superstring field theory of hep-th/0204146 to study more complicated observables. The expansion of the three-string interaction vertex suggests more complicated interpolating functions which in general give rise to fractional powers of lambda' in physical observables at weak effective coupling.