Geometric Phases in String Theory

          @misc{ scivideos_PIRSA:07120006,
            doi = {10.48660/07120006},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/07120006},
            author = {Sonner, Julian},
            keywords = {Quantum Fields and Strings},
            language = {en},
            title = {Geometric Phases in String Theory},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics},
            year = {2007},
            month = {dec},
            note = {PIRSA:07120006 see, \url{https://scivideos.org/pirsa/07120006}}
          }
          

Abstract

I will describe the emergence of geometric (Berry) phases in supersymmetric systems. In theories with degenerate states, non-Abelian geometric phases can arise. I show how supersymmetry helps to ensure the existence of this phenomenon by invoking the examples of systems with (2,2) and (4,4) supersymmetry. In the former, I show how instantons contribute crucially to the form of the non-Abelian phase. The latter system applies to D0-D4 brane dynamics in string theory, leading to a surprising re-interpretation of the Berry phase in terms of gravitational precession of a probe brane. Towards the end will comment on some work in progress on the geometric phase in (8,8) SUSY systems.