Gauge fields from Strings: Novel tools for longstanding problems

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Valentina Forini
• Subject Area: Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Relativity, Fields
• Term: from 2011 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 202347165

Understanding the strong coupling dynamics of quantum gauge theories, which constitute our theoretical understanding of the fundamental interactions of matter, remains one of the great challenges in particle physics. One of the most far-reaching recent ideas in theoretical physics, the string/gauge correspondence, suggests to address this challenge through a dual description via string theories in specific curved backgrounds. These in turn pose a further crucial problem of modern theoretical physics. This proposal puts forward a defined program to face several complex issues in the framework of the string/gauge correspondence, emphasizing two aspects: the relation and qualitative reference to quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and the „cross-fertilization" of established gauge-theoretical tools to strings and viceversa. Goals to be pursued include: unveiling predictive, hidden properties of the string/gauge spectrum (reciprocity, transcendentality); systematizing the string quantization in curved backgrounds, also via novel regularization schemes and using integrability to describe Wilson loops; evaluating perturbatively infrared-safe quantities in the N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory, with an emphasis on their QCD-like properties. The outstanding local scientific environment, together with my personal expertise and the foreseen international collaborations, put the would-be Emmy Noether group in a unique position to carry out this broad program within the given time frame.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups