Spin bit models from non-planar image SYM Original Research Article

We study spin models underlying the non-planar dynamics of image SYM gauge theory. In particular, we derive the non-local spin chain Hamiltonian corresponding to the generator of dilatations in the gauge theory at leading order in image but exact in image. States in our spin chain-like model are characterized by a spin-configuration as well as by a linking variable which describes how sites are connected in the chains. Joining and splitting of string/traces is implemented by a twist operator acting on the linking variable. The obtained model is used for the systematic study of non-planar anomalous dimensions and operator mixing in image SYM. Beyond other, we identify a sequence of SYM operators for which corrections to the one-loop anomalous dimensions stop at the first image non-planar order.