# SIS

## Seminar

### Exploring improved holographic models for QCD

Kiritsis, E (Crete)
Wednesday 22 August 2007, 10:20-11:00

Seminar Room 1, Newton Institute

#### Abstract

Various holographic approaches to QCD in five dimensions are explored using input both from the putative non-critical string theory as well as QCD. It is argued that a gravity theory in five dimensions coupled to a dilaton and an axion may capture the important qualitative features of pure QCD. A part of the higher $\alpha'$-corrections are resumed into a dilaton potential. The potential is shown to be in one-to-one correspondence with the exact $\beta$-function of QCD, and its knowledge determines the full structure of the vacuum solution. The geometry near the UV boundary is that of AdS$_5$ with logarithmic corrections reflecting the asymptotic freedom of QCD. We find that all relevant confining backgrounds have an IR singularity of the good" kind that allows unambiguous spectrum computations. Near the singularity the 't Hooft coupling is driven to infinity. Asymptotically linear glueball masses can also be achieved. The classification of all confining asymptotics, the associated glueball spectra and meson dynamics are also addressed.