Three Dimensional Nonlinear Sigma Models in the Wilsonian Renormalization Method

We show that two-dimensional sigma models are equivalent to certain perturbed conformal field theories. When the fields in the sigma model take values in a space G/H for a group G and a maximal subgroup H, the corresponding conformal field theory is the $k\to\infty$ limit of the coset model $(G/H)_k$, and the perturbation is related to the current of G. This correspondence allows us for example to find the free energy for the "O(n)" (=O(n)/O(n-1)) sigma model at non-zero temp...

We present evidence that there is a non-trivial fixed point for the AdS_{D+1} non-linear sigma model in two dimensions, without any matter fields or additional couplings beyond the standard quadratic action subject to a quadratic constraint. A zero of the beta function, both in the bosonic and supersymmetric cases, appears to arise from competition between one-loop and higher loop effects. A string vacuum based on such a fixed point would have string scale curvature. The evid...

We revisit the subject of perturbatively quantizing the nonlinear sigma model in two dimensions from a rigorous, mathematical point of view. Our main contribution is to make precise the cohomological problem of eliminating potential anomalies that may arise when trying to preserve symmetries under quantization. The symmetries we consider are twofold: (i) diffeomorphism covariance for a general target manifold; (ii) a transitive group of isometries when the target manifold is ...

It is known that the $SU(2)$ Wess-Zumino-Witten model is dual to the free fermion theory in two dimensions via non-Abelian bosonization. Additionally, the $SU(2)$ Wess-Zumino-Witten model is believed to be equivalent to the $O(3)$ nonlinear sigma model with the theta term. In this work, we reexamine this duality through the lens of renormalization group (RG) flow. We analyze the RG flow structure of the $O(3)$ nonlinear sigma model with the theta term in two dimensions using ...

We show that the noncommutativity of space-time destroys the renormalizability of the 1/N expansion of the O(N) Gross-Neveu model. A similar statement holds for the noncommutative nonlinear sigma model. However, we show that, up to the subleading order in 1/N expansion, the noncommutative supersymmetric O(N) nonlinear sigma model becomes renormalizable in D=3. We also show that dynamical mass generation is restored and there is no catastrophic UV/IR mixing. Unlike the commuta...

In this paper, we study the RG flow in the non-linear sigma models obtained from a 2d N=(0,2) supersymmetric QCD. The sigma model is parameterized by a single Kahler modulus. We determine its exact non-perturbative beta function using holomorphy, triality and the knowledge of the infra-red fixed point.

By adapting previously known arguments concerning Ricci flow and the c-theorem, we give a direct proof that in a two-dimensional sigma-model with compact target space, scale invariance implies conformal invariance in perturbation theory. This argument, which applies to a general sigma-model constructed with a target space metric and B-field, is in accord with a more general proof in the literature that applies to arbitrary two-dimensional quantum field theories. Models with e...

We investigate non-perturbative structures of the two-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric nonlinear sigma model on the quadric surface Q^{n-2}(C) = SO(n)/SO(n-2)xU(1), which is a Hermitian symmetric space, and therefore Kahler, by using the auxiliary field and large-n methods. This model contains two kinds of non-perturbatively stable vacua; one of them is the same vacuum as that of supersymmetric CP^{n-1} model, and the other is a new kind of vacuum, which has not yet been known ...

Based on the covariant background field method, we calculate the ultraviolet counter\-terms up to two-loop order and discuss the renormalizability of the three-dimensional non-linear sigma models with arbitrary Riemannian manifolds as target spaces. We investigate the bosonic model and its supersymmetric extension. We show that at the one-loop level these models are renormalizable and even finite when the manifolds are Ricci-flat. However, at the two-loop order, we find non-r...

We consider two dimensional non linear sigma models on few symmetric superspaces, which are supergroup manifolds of coset type. For those spaces where one loop beta function vanishes, two loop beta function is calculated and is shown to be zero. Vanishing of beta function in all orders of perturbation theory is shown for the principal chiral models on group supermanifolds with zero Killing form. Sigma models on symmetric (super) spaces on supergroup manifold $G/H$ are known t...