Vortex Strings and Four-Dimensional Gauge Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores the quantum dynamics of vortex strings in N=2 supersymmetric QCD, revealing their spectrum matches the four-dimensional gauge theory and explaining how particles manifest as string excitations or kinks.

Contribution

It establishes an exact correspondence between vortex string spectra and four-dimensional gauge theory spectra, providing a physical interpretation of monopoles and bound states.

Findings

Vortex string BPS spectrum matches 4D gauge theory spectrum

Perturbative string excitations correspond to W-bosons and quarks

Monopoles appear as kinks on the vortex string

Abstract

We study the low-energy quantum dynamics of vortex strings in the Higgs phase of N=2 supersymmetric QCD. The exact BPS spectrum of the stretched string is shown to coincide with the BPS spectrum of the four-dimensional parent gauge theory. Perturbative string excitations correspond to bound W-bosons and quarks while the monopoles appear as kinks on the vortex string. This provides a physical explanation for an observation by N. Dorey relating the quantum spectra of theories in two and four dimensions.