This paper explores four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories with matter multiplets, focusing on SU(2) gauge groups. It derives the exact metric on the quantum moduli space of vacua and the spectrum of stable massive states. Key phenomena include chiral symmetry breaking driven by magnetic monopole condensation and electric-magnetic duality, which is preserved in theories where conformal invariance is broken only by mass terms. The paper also discusses SO(8) triality in the N=4 case.
The classical moduli space of N=2 SU(2) gauge theory is parametrized by u = ⟨Tr φ²⟩, with u ≠ 0 breaking the gauge symmetry to U(1). At u = 0, the space is singular. Quantum mechanically, the moduli space is described by the global supersymmetry version of special geometry. The Kahler potential K = Im a_D(u) \overline{a}(\overline{u}) determines the metric. The pair (a_D, a) is a holomorphic section of an SL(2, Z) bundle over the punctured complex u plane, related to a U(1) gauge multiplet.
For large |u|, the theory is semiclassical, with a ≈ √(2u) and a_D ≈ i(2/π)a log a. These expressions are modified by instanton corrections. The exact expressions are determined as periods on a torus y² = (x² - Λ⁴)(x - u) of the meromorphic one-form λ = √2/(2π) dx(x - u)/y. The spectrum includes dyons with masses given by the BPS formula M² = 2|Z|² = 2|n_e a(u) + n_m a_D(u)|².
The quantum moduli space has two singular points at u = ±Λ², where magnetic monopoles become massless. Adding an N=2 preserving mass term leads to confinement. The paper extends this analysis to theories with additional N=2 matter multiplets, known as hypermultiplets. It discusses the classical and quantum moduli spaces, BPS-saturated states, and duality transformations. The paper also explores the role of electric-magnetic duality and the mixing of SO(8) triality in the N=4 case. The analysis includes the behavior of BPS-saturated states, the effects of mass terms, and the implications of monodromy on the spectrum of states. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for the quantum moduli space and the behavior of the theory under duality transformations.This paper explores four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric gauge theories with matter multiplets, focusing on SU(2) gauge groups. It derives the exact metric on the quantum moduli space of vacua and the spectrum of stable massive states. Key phenomena include chiral symmetry breaking driven by magnetic monopole condensation and electric-magnetic duality, which is preserved in theories where conformal invariance is broken only by mass terms. The paper also discusses SO(8) triality in the N=4 case.
The classical moduli space of N=2 SU(2) gauge theory is parametrized by u = ⟨Tr φ²⟩, with u ≠ 0 breaking the gauge symmetry to U(1). At u = 0, the space is singular. Quantum mechanically, the moduli space is described by the global supersymmetry version of special geometry. The Kahler potential K = Im a_D(u) \overline{a}(\overline{u}) determines the metric. The pair (a_D, a) is a holomorphic section of an SL(2, Z) bundle over the punctured complex u plane, related to a U(1) gauge multiplet.
For large |u|, the theory is semiclassical, with a ≈ √(2u) and a_D ≈ i(2/π)a log a. These expressions are modified by instanton corrections. The exact expressions are determined as periods on a torus y² = (x² - Λ⁴)(x - u) of the meromorphic one-form λ = √2/(2π) dx(x - u)/y. The spectrum includes dyons with masses given by the BPS formula M² = 2|Z|² = 2|n_e a(u) + n_m a_D(u)|².
The quantum moduli space has two singular points at u = ±Λ², where magnetic monopoles become massless. Adding an N=2 preserving mass term leads to confinement. The paper extends this analysis to theories with additional N=2 matter multiplets, known as hypermultiplets. It discusses the classical and quantum moduli spaces, BPS-saturated states, and duality transformations. The paper also explores the role of electric-magnetic duality and the mixing of SO(8) triality in the N=4 case. The analysis includes the behavior of BPS-saturated states, the effects of mass terms, and the implications of monodromy on the spectrum of states. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications for the quantum moduli space and the behavior of the theory under duality transformations.