Hadronic density of states from string theory.

Area of Science:

• String Theory
• Quantum Field Theory
• High-Energy Physics

Background:

• The Maldacena-Nùñez embedding provides a framework to study N=1 super Yang-Mills (SYM) theory using string theory and supergravity duals.
• Understanding the behavior of gauge theories at finite temperatures is crucial for comprehending phenomena like the Hagedorn transition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform an exact calculation of the finite temperature partition function for hadronic states in a specific limit of N=1 SYM.
• To propose and analyze a semiclassical string approximation for the finite temperature partition function of confining gauge theories with supergravity duals.

Main Methods:

• Exact calculation of the partition function for hadronic states in the Penrose-Güven limit of the Maldacena-Nùñez embedding.
• Developing a semiclassical string approximation by expanding around classical solutions with temporal windings.

Main Results:

• The study establishes that the N=1 SYM theory exhibits a Hagedorn density of states.
• The semiclassical approximation reveals a hadronic energy density of states of a Hagedorn type.
• The coefficient in the Hagedorn density is determined by the gauge theory string tension, consistent with confining theories.

Conclusions:

• The proposed semiclassical approximation effectively captures the Hagedorn behavior of hadronic states in confining gauge theories with supergravity duals.
• This approach provides insights into the states of pure N=1 SYM theory without projecting onto states of large U(1) charge.