HET-Discovery seminar: Stijn van Tongeren

Speaker: Stijn van Tongeren

Title: Yang-Baxter sigma models in string theory and AdS/CFT

Abstract: Integrable models further our understanding in various areas of theoretical physics, including string theory and the AdS/CFT correspondence. The canonical example in this context is the AdS5xS5 superstring, where integrability makes it possible to obtain truly remarkable results. Hoping to apply the same powerful techniques in other instances of AdS/CFT, we can take two routes: look for integrability in known AdS/CFT dual models, or construct manifestly integrable models and look for an interpretation in AdS/CFT. I will take the second route and introduce a class of deformed integrable sigma models known as Yang-Baxter sigma models, and then discuss their interpretation in string theory and in AdS/CFT. I will also discuss how one can use integrability to for instance describe the exact energy spectra of some of these models, and what technical obstructions are currently present in other cases.