The gauge/string theory duality in curved space is discussed mainly using a non-Abelian conformal N = 4 supersymmetric gauge theory and the theory of a closed superstring in the AdS₅ x S⁵ metric as an example. It is shown that in the supergravity approximation, string duality yields the characteristics of a strong-coupling gauge theory. For a special shape of the contour, a Wilson loop expression is derived in the classical superstring approximation. The role of the hidden integrability in lower-loop calculations in gauge theory and in different approximations of string theory is discussed. It is demonstrated that in the large quantum-number limit, gauge theory operators can be described in terms of the dual string picture. Examples of metrics providing the dual description of gauge theories with broken conformal symmetry are presented, and formulations of the vacuum structure of such theories in terms of gravity are discussed.

PACS: 11.15.−q, 11.25.−w, 11.25.Tq, 11.30.Pb (all) DOI: 10.1070/PU2005v048n11ABEH005868 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2005/11/a/ 000236165700001 2005PhyU...48.1093G Citation: Gorskii A S "Gauge theories as string theories: the first results" Phys. Usp. 48 1093–1108 (2005) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Оригинал: Горский А С «Калибровочные теории как теории струн: первые результаты» УФН 175 1145–1162 (2005); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0175.200511a.1145