Abstract
In this thesis we study symmetries of quantum field theory visible only at the non-perturbative level, which arise from large deformations of the integration contour in the path integral. We exposit the recently-developed theory of qq-characters that organizes such symmetries in the case of N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories in four dimensions. We sketch the physical origin of such observables from intersecting branes in string theory, and the mathematical origin as certain
equivariant integrals over Nakajima quiver varieties. We explain some of the main applications, including the derivation of Seiberg-Witten geometry for quiver gauge theories and the relations to quantum integrable systems.
Thesis Completion
2022
Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair/Advisor
Efthimiou, Costas
Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
College
College of Sciences
Department
Physics
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Release Date
5-1-2022
Recommended Citation
Tamagni, Spencer, "Instanton Counting, Matrix Models, and Characters" (2022). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 1213.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/1213