Recent results in large-N lattice gauge theories

Abstract

Generalizations of QCD in which the number of colors N is taken to infinity are characterized by profound mathematical properties, with far-reaching implications for fundamental problems and for phenomenological issues alike. In this contribution, after a brief introduction to the theoretical motivation for studying the large-N limit, the role of lattice computations in large-N gauge theories is discussed, and a selection of interesting results obtained in recent years is highlighted. Finally, some promising research directions for future studies are pointed out.

Comments: 15 pages, 15 figures, plenary talk presented at the 30th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory "Lattice 2012" (Cairns, Australia, 24-29 June 2012); v2: fig. 3 slightly resized, references added: version published in the conference proceedings