Review of AdS/CFT Integrability, Chapter III.4: Twist states and the cusp anomalous dimension

Abstract

We review the computation of the anomalous dimension of twist operators in the planar limit of N=4 SYM using the asymptotic Bethe ansatz and demonstrate how this quantity is obtained at weak, strong and intermediate values of the coupling constant. The anomalous dimension of twist operators in the limit of large Lorentz spin played a major role in the construction as well as in many tests of the asymptotic Bethe equations, this aspect of the story is emphasised.