O objetivo desta dissertação é revisar os operadores laços de Wilson no contexto da correspondência AdS/CFT. Estes operadores, presentes em qualquer teoria de calibre, são importantes por nos fornecer um parâmetro de ordem para a transição de fase confinante/desconfinante. Além disso, eles são particularmente importantes no estudo da correspondência AdS/ CFT pois: i) Eles nos dão, em alguns casos, resultados exatos graças ao fato de poderem ser localizados em um modelo de matrizes, desta forma nos permitindo fazer testes altamente não triviais da correspondência; ii) Eles são os objetos da teoria de calibre que são duais as cordas propagando no interior do espaço, nos dando um rico dicionário entre quantidades no interior (AdS) e na borda do espaço (CFT). Depois de revisarmos os laços de Wilson em teorias de calibre e a correspondência Ads/CFT, introduziremos a definição dos laços de Wilson supersimétricos 1/2 BPS. Calcularemos eles para o caso de um acoplamento fraco e para qualquer outro valor da constante de acoplamento usando técnicas de modelos de matrizes. Finalmente, compararemos nossos resultados com computações de superfícies minimais no interior do espaço, encontrando uma concordância perfeita. / The aim of this thesis is to review Wilson loop operators in the contexto f the AdS/CFT correspondence. These operators, wich are present in any gauge theory, are important because they furnish an order parameter for confinement/deconfinement phase transitions. Besides this, they are particularly relevant in the study of the AdS/CFT correspondence because: i) they allow, in some cases, for exact results thanks to localization to matrix models and make it possible to perform highly non-trivial tests of the correspondence; ii) they are the gauge theory objects dual to strings propagating in the bulk of the space and give a rich dictionary between bulk (AdS) and boundary (CFT) quantities. After reviews of Wilson loops in gauge theories and of the Ads/CFT correspondence, we will introduce the definition of 1/2 BPS supersymmetric Wilson loops, we will compute them at weak coupling and then at any order in the coupling constant via matrix model techniques, and finally we will compare our results with minimal surface computations in the bulk, finding perfect agreement.

Usando uma transformação de dualidade generalizada, considerações de simetria e supondo que as superfície críticas sejam contínuas, obtivemos o dia grama de fase para sistemas de spins Z (N) bidimensionais e sistemas com invariança de calibre Z (N) a quatro dimensões. Caracterizamos as diversas fases dos sistemas de spins pelo valor esperado das potências dos operadores de ordem e desordem. No sistema com invariança de calibre, por outro lado, estas fases caracterizadas pelo comportamento do valor esperado das potências das alças de Wilson e de \'t Hooft. Obtivemos para ambos os sistemas fases moles em que no caso de spins 2D (calibre 4D) todas as potências dos parâmetros de ordem e desordem ( todas as potências das alças de Wilson e \'t Hooft) são nulas (exibem decaimento com o perímetro da alça). Enquanto no sistema com invariança de calibre todas as combinações de decaimento (área ou perímetro) das alças de Wilson e \'t Hooft são permitidas, as relações de comutação no sistema de spins proíbe a existência de fases em que tanto o parâmetro de ordem como o de desordem são não nulos (exceto quando estes operadores comutam). Apresentamos por completeza as relações de dualidade para sistemas de calibre Z (N) com campos de Higgs a três dimensões. / Using a generalized duality transformation, symetry considerations and assuming that criticality is continuous in the system?s parameters, we obtain the phase diagram for two-dimensional Z (N) spins system?s and four-dimensional gauge Z (N) system\'s. For spins system we characterize the various phases by the expectation value of powers of the order and disorder operators. For gauge systems, on the other hand, the characterization is via decay law of powers of Wilson and \'t Hooft loops. We obtain soft phases for both systems, with the folowing, behaviour: for spins system all powers of order and disorder parameters vanish, whereas for gauge systems all powers of Wilson and \'t Hooft loops decay like the perimeter. Whereas all combinations of area and perimeter decay are allowed for Wilson\'s and \'t Hooft\'s loops, the Z (N) commutation relations for spin systems forbid the simultaneous non-vanishing of order and disorder parameters (except when these operators commute). For completeness we include the duality relations for three-dimensional gauge plus Higgs Z(N) systems.

There is a growing consensus among physicists that the classical notion of spacetime has to be drastically revised in order to nd a consistent formulation of quantum mechanics and gravity. One such nontrivial attempt comprises of replacing functions of continuous spacetime coordinates with functions over noncommutative algebra. Dynamics on such noncommutative spacetimes (noncommutative theories) are of great interest for a variety of reasons among the physicists. Additionally arguments combining quantum uncertain-ties with classical gravity provide an alternative motivation for their study, and it is hoped that these theories can provide a self-consistent deformation of ordinary quantum field theories at small distances, yielding non-locality, or create a framework for finite truncation of quantum field theories while preserving symmetries. In this thesis we study the gauge theories on noncommutative Moyal space. We nd new static solitons and instantons in terms of the so-called generalized Bose operators (GBO). GBOs are constructed to describe reducible representation of the oscillator algebra. They create/annihilate k-quanta, k being a positive integer. We start with giving an alternative description to the already found static magnetic flux tube solutions of the noncommutative gauge theories in terms of GBOs. The Nielsen-Olesen vortex solutions found in terms of these operators also reduce to the ones known in the literature. On the other hand, we nd a class of new instanton solutions which are unitarily inequivalent to the ones found from ADHM construction on noncommutative space. The charge of the instanton has a description in terms of the index representing the reducibility of the Fock space representation, i.e., k. After studying the static soliton solutions in noncommutative Minkowski space and the instanton solutions in noncommutative Euclidean space we go on to study the implications of the time-space noncommutativity in Minkowski space. To understand it properly we study the time-dependent transitions of a forced harmonic oscillator in noncommutative 1+1 dimensional spacetime. We also provide an interpretation of our results in the context of non-linear quantum optics. We then shift to the so-called DSR theories which are related to a different kind of noncommutative ( -Minkowski) space. DSR (Doubly/Deformed Special Relativity) aims to search for an alternate relativistic theory which keeps a length/energy scale (the Planck scale) and a velocity scale (the speed of light scale) invariant. We study thermodynamics of an ideal gas in such a scenario. In first chapter we introduce the subjects of the noncommutative quantum theories and the DSR. Chapter 2 starts with describing the GBOs. They correspond to reducible representations of the harmonic oscillator algebra. We demonstrate their relevance in the construction of topologically non-trivial solutions in noncommutative gauge theories, focusing our attention to flux tubes, vortices, and instantons. Our method provides a simple new relation between the topological charge and the number of times the basic irreducible representation occurs in the reducible representation underlying the GBO. When used in conjunction with the noncommutative ADHM construction, we nd that these new instantons are in general not unitarily equivalent to the ones currently known in literature. Chapter 3 studies the time dependent transitions of quantum forced harmonic oscillator (QFHO) in noncommutative R1;1 perturbatively to linear order in the noncommutativity . We show that the Poisson distribution gets modified, and that the vacuum state evolves into a \squeezed" state rather than a coherent state. The time evolutions of un-certainties in position and momentum in vacuum are also studied and imply interesting consequences for modelling nonlinear phenomena in quantum optics. In chapter 4 we study thermodynamics of an ideal gas in Doubly Special Relativity. We obtain a series solution for the partition function and derive thermodynamic quantities. We observe that DSR thermodynamics is non-perturbative in the SR and massless limits. A stiffer equation of state is found. We conclude our results in the last chapter.

Dans la description à basse énergie de systèmes fortement corrélés, les champs de jauge peuvent émerger comme excitations collectives couplées à des quasiparticules fractionalisées. En particulier, certains aimants bidimensionnels dits frustrés sont décrits par un liquide de spin de Dirac comportant une symétrie de jauge U(1) compacte. La description infrarouge est donnée par une théorie conforme des champs, soit l'électrodynamique quantique en 2+1 dimensions avec 2N saveurs de fermions sans masse. Dans les aimants typiques, N=2 ou 4. L'aspect compact du champ de jauge implique également l'existence d'excitations topologiques, soit des instantons créés, dans ce contexte, par des opérateurs monopôles. Cette thèse porte sur les transitions de phase quantiques à partir d'un liquide de spin de Dirac et les propriétés des monopôles aux points critiques correspondants. Ces transitions sont induites en activant diverses interactions de type Gross-Neveu. Dans tous les cas à l'étude, la dimension d'échelle des monopôles est obtenue grâce à la correspondance état-opérateur et à un développement en 1/N. L'accent est d'abord mis sur une transition de confinement-déconfinement vers une phase antiferromagnétique décrite par la condensation d'un monopôle. Une levée de dégénérescence est observée au point critique alors que certaines dimensions d'échelle de monopôles sont réduites par rapport à leur valeur dans le liquide de spin de Dirac. Cette hiérarchie est caractérisée quantitativement en comparant les dimensions d'échelle dans des secteurs distincts du spin magnétique à l'ordre dominant en 1/N, puis qualitativement par une analyse en théorie des représentations. Des exposants critiques pour d'autres observables dans la théorie non compacte sont également obtenus. Enfin, deux transitions vers des liquides de spin topologiques, soit le liquide de spin chiral et le liquide de spin Z2, sont considérées. Les dimensions anormales des monopôles sont obtenues à l'ordre sous-dominant en 1/N. Ces résultats permettent de vérifier une dualité conjecturée avec un modèle bosonique et la valeur d'un coefficient universel pour les théories de jauge U(1) / In strongly correlated systems, gauge fields can emerge as collective excitations coupled to fractionalized quasiparticles. In particular, certain frustrated two-dimensional quantum magnets are described by a Dirac spin liquid which has a U(1) gauge symmetry. The infrared description is given by a conformal field theory, namely quantum electrodynamics in 2+1 dimensions with 2N flavours of massless fermions. In typical magnets, N=2 or 4. The compact aspect of the gauge field also implies the existence of topological excitations corresponding to instantons, which are created by monopole operators in this context. This thesis focuses on quantum phase transitions out of a Dirac spin liquid and the properties of monopoles at the corresponding critical points. These transitions are driven by activating various types of Gross-Neveu interactions. In all the cases studied, the scaling dimension of monopoles are obtained using the state-operator correspondence and a 1/N expansion. The confinement-deconfinement transition to an antiferromagnetic order produced by a monopole condensate is first studied. A degeneracy lifting is observed at the critical point, as certain monopoles have their scaling dimension reduced in comparison with the value in the Dirac spin liquid. This hierarchy is charactized quantitatively by comparing monopole scaling dimensions in distinct magnetic spin sector at leading-order in 1/N, and qualitatively by an analysis in representation theory. Critical exponents of various other operators are obtained in the non-compact model. Transitions to two topological spin liquids, namely a chiral spin liquid and a Z2 spin liquid, are also considered. Anomalous dimensions of monopoles are obtained at sub-leading order in 1/N. These results allow the verification of a conjectured duality with a bosonic model and the value of a universal coefficient in U(1) gauge theories.

No description available.

Several different approaches to renormalization are studied. The Callan-Symanzik equation is derived and we study its beta functions. An effective potential for the Coleman-Weinberg model is studied to find that the beta function is positive and that spontaneous symmetry breaking will occur if we expand around the classical field. Lastly we renormalize a non-abelian gaugetheory to find that the beta function in QCD is negative.

Supersymmetrische Feldtheorien können durch eine nicht-lineare und nicht-lokale Transformation der bosonischen Felder charakterisiert werden, der Nicolai-Abbildung. Sie bildet das wechselwirkende Funktionalmaß so auf das Maß der zugehörigen freien Theorie ab, dass die Jacobi-Determinante gleich dem Produkt der fermionischen Determinanten ist. Wir untersuchen die Nicolai-Abbildungen des 2-dimenionalen Wess-Zumino Modells und der N=1 sowie N=4 super Yang-Mills Theorien. Wir geben einen konstruktiven Beweis für die Existenz der Nicolai-Abbildung in diesen Theorien. Der Beweis beinhaltet die Herleitung des infinitesimalen Generators der inversen Abbildung, dem R-Operator. Wir benutzen diesen Operator, um die Nicolai-Abbildung im 2-dimensionalen Wess-Zumino Modell bis zur fünften Ordnung in der Kopplung zu berechnen. In der N=1 super Yang-Mills Theorie führen wir die Begriffe der on- bzw. off-shell Nicolai-Abbildungen ein. Die on-shell Abbildung existiert in d=3,4,6 und 10 Dimensionen aber nur für die Landau Eichung. Wir bestimmen sie bis zur vierten Ordnung. Die off-shell Abbildung existiert nur in d=4 Dimensionen aber für allgemeine Eichungen. Wir berechnen sie in der axialen Eichung bis zur zweiten Ordnung. Für die N=4 super Yang-Mills Theorie geben wir den R-Operator an und zeigen, dass man die N=4 Nicolai-Abbildung durch dimensionale Reduktion aus der N=1 Abbildung erhält. Inverse Nicolai-Abbildungen bilden Quantenkorrelationsfunktionen bosonischer Observablen auf freie Korrelationsfunktionen ab. Daher gestatten sie eine Quantisierung supersymmetrischer Theorien ohne die Verwendung von Fermionen oder Geistern. Wir benutzten diese Eigenschaft, um den Vakuum-Erwartungswert der Maldacena-Wilson Geraden bis zur sechsten Ordnung zu berechnen. Im zweiten Teil dieser Arbeit bestimmen wir die explizite Form aller Felder im 1/2-BPS Energie-Impuls-Tensor Multiplet in N=4 super Yang-Mills. Dieses Multiplet enthält den R-Symmetrie Fluss und den Energie-Impuls-Tensor. / Supersymmetric field theories can be characterized by the existence of a non-linear and non-local transformation of the bosonic fields, the Nicolai map. It maps the interacting functional measure to that of a free theory such that the Jacobian determinant of the transformation equals the product of the fermionic determinants. In this thesis, we study the Nicolai maps of the 2-dimensional Wess-Zumino model, N=1 super Yang-Mills and N=4 super Yang-Mills. We give a constructive proof for the existence of the Nicolai map in these theories. The proof includes the derivation of the infinitesimal generator of the inverse Nicolai map, called the R-operator. We use this operator to compute the Nicolai map of the 2-dimensional Wess-Zumino model up to the fifth order in the coupling. In N=1 super Yang-Mills, we introduce the notion of on- and off-shell Nicolai maps. The on-shell Nicolai map of N=1 super Yang-Mills exists in d=3,4,6 and 10 dimensions but is constrained to the Landau gauge. We compute this map up to the fourth order. The off-shell Nicolai map exists only in d=4 dimensions but for general gauges. We compute it in the axial gauge up to the second order. In N=4 super Yang-Mills, we give the R-operator and show that the Nicolai map can be obtained from the Nicolai map of 10-dimensional N=1 super Yang-Mills by dimensional reduction. Inverse Nicolai maps map quantum correlation functions of bosonic observables to free correlation functions. Hence, Nicolai maps allow for a fermion (and ghost) free quantization of supersymmetric (gauge) theories. We apply this property to compute the vacuum expectation value of the infinite straight line Maldacena-Wilson loop in N=4 super Yang-Mills to the sixth order. Thus extending the previous perturbative result by one order. In the second part of this thesis, we derive the explicit field content of the 1/2-BPS stress tensor multiplet in N=4 super Yang-Mills, which contains the R-symmetry current and the energy-momentum tensor.