JRG/1: Exact Results in Extended Holography

The study of integrable models in the AdS/CFT correspondence has provided deep insights into string theory, the holographic principle, and the finite coupling behavior of quantum field theory. The proposed research group would aim to extend this approach beyond supersymmetric and conformal theories by studying integrable deformations of the AdS5 x S5 superstring, and thereby produce both new theories and new perspectives on well-established ones. The goals of this programme are A) to develop the AdS/CFT interpretation of integrable string deformations, B) to determine the effect of these deformations on observables in both string theory and gauge theory, C) to develop the T-dual string interpretation of non-Weyl-invariant deformations, and D) to extend these deformation methods beyond integrability, and thereby uncover thus-far elusive string backgrounds. By developing exact results and methods, this programme will lead to new insights in string theory, holography, and quantum field theory, at finite coupling, beyond the superconformal regime.