Joint Theory Seminar: Luigi Guerrini

Title: BPS Wilson loops and mass deformations in ABJM

Abstract: One of the most attractive aspects of supersymmetric field theories is the interplay between different techniques from different areas, making them a rich and constant source of new ideas. For example, exact results from supersymmetric localization in the presence of mass deformations compute integrated correlation functions of local operators. These correlators relate to graviton scattering amplitudes in string theory via the AdS/CFT correspondence. In this talk, I will propose a possible extension of this setup by adding a BPS Wilson loop on the field theory side, corresponding to an extended string or brane in the dual theory. In particular, I will compute the expectation value of BPS Wilson loops in the ABJM model with mass deformations using the Fermi gas technology and, from this, novel defect correlators. These may provide insight into the scattering of gravitons by M2-branes in the dual setup.