Comparing strings in AdS(5)xS(5) to planar diagrams: an example

TL;DR

This paper compares semiclassical string amplitude calculations in AdS(5)xS(5) with perturbative SYM results for Wilson loop and local operator correlators, finding exact agreement at low orders.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed comparison between semiclassical string theory and perturbative gauge theory for Wilson loop and local operator correlators in N=4 SYM.

Findings

Exact agreement at first two non-vanishing orders between string and gauge theory calculations.

Semiclassical techniques effectively reproduce perturbative results for large R charge operators.

Supports the AdS/CFT correspondence by matching string amplitudes with gauge theory perturbation theory.

Abstract

The correlator of a Wilson loop with a local operator in N=4 SYM theory can be represented by a string amplitude in AdS(5)xS(5). This amplitude describes an overlap of the boundary state, which is associated with the loop, with the string mode, which is dual to the local operator. For chiral primary operators with a large R charge, the amplitude can be calculated by semiclassical techniques. We compare the semiclassical string amplitude to the SYM perturbation theory and find an exact agrement to the first two non-vanishing orders.