1/3 BPS loops and defect CFTs in ABJM theory

Abstract We address a longstanding question of whether ABJM theory has Wilson loop operators preserving eight supercharges (so 1/3 BPS). We present such Wilson loops made of a large supermatrix combining two 1/2 BPS Wilson loops. We study the spectrum of operator insertions into them including the d...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nadav Drukker, Ziwen Kong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2023-06-01
Series:Journal of High Energy Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP06(2023)137
Description
Summary:Abstract We address a longstanding question of whether ABJM theory has Wilson loop operators preserving eight supercharges (so 1/3 BPS). We present such Wilson loops made of a large supermatrix combining two 1/2 BPS Wilson loops. We study the spectrum of operator insertions into them including the displacement operator and several others and study their correlation functions. Another natural construction arising in this context are Wilson loops with alternating superconnections. This amounts to including “defect changing operators” along the loop, similar to a discrete cusp. This insertion is topological and preserves two supercharges. We study the multiplet of this operator and how it can be used to introduce further operators. We also construct the defect conformal manifold arising from marginal defect operators.
ISSN:1029-8479