Topological sigma models

A variant of the usual supersymmetric nonlinear sigma model is described, governing maps from a Riemann surface to an arbitrary almost complex manifoldM. It possesses a fermionic BRST-like symmetry, conserved for arbitrary, and obeyingQ ²=0. In a suitable version, the quantum ground states are the 1+1 dimensional Floer groups. The correlation functions of the BRST-invariant operators are invariants (depending only on the homotopy type of the almost complex structure ofM) similar to those that have entered in recent work of Gromov on symplectic geometry. The model can be coupled to dynamical gravitational or gauge fields while preserving the fermionic symmetry; some observations by Atiyah suggest that the latter coupling may be related to the Jones polynomial of knot theory. From the point of view of string theory, the main novelty of this type of sigma model is that the graviton vertex operator is a BRST commutator. Thus, models of this type may correspond to a realization at the level of string theory of an unbroken phase of quantum gravity.On leave from Department of Physics, Princeton University. Supported in part by NSF Grants No. 80-19754, 86-16129, 86-20266     

Topological massive sigma models

In this paper we construct topological sigma models which include a potential and are related to twisted massive supersymmetric sigma models. Contrary to a previous construction these models have no central charge and do not require the manifold to admit a Killing vector. We use the topological massive sigma model constructed here to simplify the calculation of the observables. Lastly it is noted that this model can be viewed as interpolating between topological massless sigma models and topological Landau-Ginzburg models.     

Integrable field models on manifolds of the Lie groups

A wide class of integrable integro-differential equations with nonlocal nonlinearity is examined in the present paper. For an arbitrary generally noncommutative Lie group, an algorithm of integration is constructed for such problems. The efficiency of the algorithm is demonstrated on the example of the Euclidean group E(2). __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 5, pp. 63–68, May, 2007.     

Homogeneous Kähler manifolds: Paving the way towards new supersymmetric sigma models

Homogeneous Kähler manifolds give rise to a broad class of supersymmetric sigma models containing, as a rather special subclass, the more familiar supersymmetric sigma models based on Hermitian symmetric spaces. In this article, all homogeneous Kähler manifolds with semisimple symmetry groupG are constructed, and are classified in terms of Dynkin diagrams. Explicit expressions for the complex structure and the Kähler structure are given in terms of the Lie algebra g ofG. It is shown that for compactG, one can always find an Einstein-Kähler structure, which is unique up to a constant multiple and for which the Kähler potential takes a simple form.On leave of absence from Fakultät für Physik der Universität Freiburg, FRG     

3D loop models and the CP(n-1) sigma model

Many statistical mechanics problems can be framed in terms of random curves; we consider a class of three-dimensional loop models that are prototypes for such ensembles. The models show transitions between phases with infinite loops and short-loop phases. We map them to CP(n-1) sigma models, where n is the loop fugacity. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we find continuous transitions for n=1, 2, 3, and first order transitions for n≥5. The results are relevant to line defects in random media, as well as to Anderson localization and (2+1)-dimensional quantum magnets.     

Chiral Nonlinear sigma models as models for topological superconductivity

We study the mechanism of topological superconductivity in a hierarchical chain of chiral nonlinear sigma models (models of current algebra) in one, two, and three spatial dimensions. The models illustrate how the 1D Fr?hlich's ideal conductivity extends to a genuine superconductivity in dimensions higher than one. The mechanism is based on the fact that a pointlike topological soliton carries an electric charge. We discuss a flux quantization mechanism and show that it is essentially a generalization of the persistent current phenomenon, known in quantum wires. We also discuss why the superconducting state is stable in the presence of a weak disorder.     

Topological quantum field theories on manifolds with a boundary

We consider a class of exactly soluble topological quantum field theories on manifolds with a boundary that are invariant on-shell under diffeomorphisms which preserve the boundary. After showing that the functional integral of the two-point function with boundary conditions yields precisely the linking number, we use it to derive topological properties of the linking number. Considering gauge fixing, we obtain exact results of the partition function (Ray-Singer torsion of manifolds with a boundary) and theN-point functions in closed expressions.     

Cosmological sigma model with non-minimal coupling to the target space

A homogeneous and isotropic Universe in the framework of a nonlinear sigma model with non-minimal coupling to the target space is considered. Preliminary investigation of a two-component model of this sort is conducted. Some solutions for this model are given. Perspectives and directions of development of such a sort of models are discussed.     

Topological features of the nonlinear sigma model with Hopf term using chiral lagrangians

We rewrite the O(3) nonlinear sigma model in 2 + 1 dimensions in terms of SU(2) matrices, thereby solving the constraint. The lagrangian has the symmetry SU(2)_Global×U(1)_Local. Static soliton solutions to this lagrangian have energy 4πN as usual. We then show that the Hopf instantons, in the formalism of principle chiral fields, are just the skymions of QCD in 3 + 1 dimensions.     

Supersymmetric sigma models and the heterotic string

We define the (1 + 1)-dimensional supersymmetry algebra of type (p, q) to be that generated by p right-handed Majorana-Weyl supercharges and q left-handed ones. We construct the non-linear sigma models with supersymmetry of type (1,0) and (2,0) and discuss their geometry and their relevance to compactifications of the heterotic superstring. The sigma-model anomalies can be cancelled by a mechanism closely related to that used by Green and Schwarz to cancel gravitational and Yang-Mills anomalies for the superstring.     

Nonlinear sigma model and the origin of geometric frustration on curved manifolds

Classical Heisenberg spins considered on an elastic two-dimensional curved manifold in the continuum limit correspond to the nonlinear σ model. If the corresponding Euler-Lagrange (EL) equations support a soliton solution, a mismatch of length scales induces geometrical frustration in the region of the soliton which is relieved by a deformation of the manifold in the region of the soliton. We illustrate the origin of this elastic effect in four different cases: (i) A single soliton on a circular cylinder with anisotropic spin-spin coupling, (ii) a soliton lattice on a circular cylinder with isotropic spin-spin coupling, (iii) a single soliton on an elliptic cylinder, and (iv) a circular cylinder in an external axial magnetic field. For the first three cases the EL equation is the sine-Gordon equation while for the last case it is the double sine-Gordon equation. Geometrical frustration results whenever the solution of the EL equation does not satisfy the self-dual equations of Bogomol’nyi which are a necessary condition to reach the minimum energy configuration in each homotopy class.     

On the Mathai-Quillen formalism of topological sigma models

We present a Mathai-Quillen interpretation of topological sigma models. The key to the construction is a natural connection in a suitable infinite-dimensional vector bundle over the space of maps from a Riemann surface (the world sheet) to an almost complex manifold (the target). We show that the covariant derivative of the section defined by the differential that appears in the equation for pseudo-holomorphic curves is precisely the linearization of the operator itself. We also discuss the Mathai-Quillen formalism of gauged topological sigma models.     

On the dual symmetry of the non-linear sigma models

We analyze the dual symmetry which is reponsible for the existence of infinitely many conserved non-local charges in the classical two-dimensional non-linear σ models. For compact global symmetry groups, we prove that the σ model has the dual symmetry if and only if the field takes values in a symmetric space.