Publications and Seminars

Research Papers

• My dissertation: "Some Aspects of the Connection Between Field Theories and Gravity". Also available in a "2up"ed format.

Abstract
Over the last several years, a tremendous amount of progress has been made in understanding gauge theories and theories of gravity, especially string theory. One extremely profound result of this new understanding is a connection between gauge theories, which a priori seem to have nothing to do with gravity, and M-Theory, which, in its many facets, is the candidate for a self-consistent theory of quantum gravity. A key role in the ``duality'' between gauge theories and M-Theory is played by the UV-IR connection: short scales in one theory are exchanged with long scales in the dual theory.
 
• R. Corrado, B. Florea, and R. McNees, Correlation Functions of Operators and Wilson Surfaces in the d=6, (0,2) Theory in the Large N Limit. To appear in Physical Review D. hep-th/9902153.

Abstract
We compute the two and three-point correlation functions of chiral primary operators in the large N limit of the (0,2), d=6 superconformal theory. We also consider the operator product expansion of Wilson surfaces in the (0,2) theory and compute the OPE coefficients of the chiral primary operators at large N from the correlation functions of surfaces.
 
• D. Berenstein, R. Corrado, W. Fischler, and J. Maldacena, The Operator Product Expansion for Wilson Loops and Surfaces in the Large N Limit, Physical Review D59 (1999) 105023. hep-th/9809188.

Abstract
The operator product expansion for ``small'' Wilson loops in {\cal N}=4, d=4 SYM is studied. The OPE coefficients are calculated in the large N and g_YM² N limit by exploiting the AdS/CFT correspondence. We also consider Wilson surfaces in the (0,2), d=6 superconformal theory. In this case, we find that the UV divergent terms include a term proportional to the rigid string action.
 
• D. Berenstein and R. Corrado, Matrix Theory on ALE Spaces and Wrapped Membranes. Nuclear Physics B529, 225. hep-th/9803048.

Abstract
We study the properties of wrapped membranes in matrix theory on ALE spaces. We show that the only BPS bound states of wrapped membranes that can form are roots of the A-D-E group. We determine a bound on the energy of a bound state and find the correct dependence on the blow-up parameters and longitudinal momentum expected from M-Theory. For the A_n-1 series, we construct explicit classical solutions for the wrapped membrane bound states. These states have a very rich structure and have a natural interpretation in terms of noncommutative geometry. In the A₁ case, we examine the spectrum of excitations around the wrapped membrane solution and provide an explicit calculation of their energies. The results agree exactly with supergravity calculations.
 
• D. Berenstein, R. Corrado, and Jacques Distler, Aspects of ALE Matrix Models and Twisted Matrix Strings. Physical Review D58 (1998) 026005. hep-th/9712049.

Abstract
We examine several aspects of the formulation of M(atrix)-Theory on ALE spaces. We argue for the existence of massless vector multiplets in the resolved A_n-1 spaces, as required by enhanced gauge symmetry in M-Theory, and that these states might have the correct gravitational interactions. We propose a matrix model which describes M-Theory on an ALE space in the presence of wrapped membranes. We also consider orbifold descriptions of matrix string theories, as well as more exotic orbifolds of these models, and present a classification of twisted matrix string theories according to Reid's exact sequences of surface quotient singularities.
 
• D. Berenstein, R. Corrado, and Jacques Distler, On the Moduli Spaces of M(atrix)-Theory Compactifications. Nuclear Physics B503, 239-255. hep-th/9704087.

Abstract
By identifying the moduli space of coupling constants in the SYM description of toroidal compactifications of M(atrix)-Theory, we construct the M(atrix) description of the moduli spaces of Type IIA string theory compactified on Tⁿ. Addition of theta terms to the M(atrix) SYM produces the shift symmetries necessary to recover the correct global structure of the moduli spaces. Up to n=3, the corresponding BPS charges transform under the proper representations of the U-duality groups. For n=4,5, if we make the ansatz of including the BPS charges corresponding to the wrapped M-theory 5-brane, the correspondence with Type IIA continues to hold. However, for n=6, we find additional charges for which there are no obvious candidates in M(atrix)-Theory.
 
• D. Berenstein and R. Corrado, M(atrix)-Theory in Various Dimensions, Physics Letters B 406, 37-43, hep-th/9702108.

Abstract
We demonstrate the precise numerical correspondence between long range scattering of supergravitons and membranes in supergravity in the infinite momentum frame and in M(atrix)-Theory, both in 11 dimensions and for toroidal compactifications. We also identify wrapped membranes in terms of topological invariants of the vector bundles associated to the field theory description of compactified M(atrix)-Theory. We use these results to check the realization of T-duality in M(atrix)-Theory.
 
• D. Berenstein, R. Corrado, W. Fischler, S. Paban, and M. Rozali, Virtual D-Branes. Physics Letters B 384 (1996) 93, hep-th/9605168.

Abstract
Using a formalism developed to include collective coordinates, we calculate the contributions to S-matrix elements due to off-shell D-branes in a string coupling expansion. The formalism is further used to establish a two-dimensional computation of higher order corrections to the D-brane tension, both for the bosonic and the supersymmetric cases.

Reviews

Seminars

• The Operator Product Expansion for Wilson Loops and Surfaces From Supergravity - Caltech-USC Theory Seminar, April 14, 1999 and Final Defense, UT Austin, April 21, 1999.

Abstract The operator product expansion for ``small'' Wilson loops in N=4, d=4 SYM is studied in the large N and g_YM²N limit by exploiting the AdS/CFT correspondence. A conformal anomaly is found for Wilson surfaces in the (0,2), d=6 superconformal theory, with a UV divergent term proportional to the rigid string action. We find the operator product expansion for Wilson surfaces in the (0,2) theory at large N.