A unifying 2d action for integrable $\sigma$-models from 4d Chern-Simons theory

Abstract

In the approach recently proposed by K. Costello and M. Yamazaki, which is based on a four-dimensional variant of Chern-Simons theory, we derive a simple and unifying two-dimensional form for the action of many integrable $\sigma$-models which are known to admit descriptions as affine Gaudin models. This includes both the Yang-Baxter deformation and the $\lambda$-deformation of the principal chiral model. We also give an interpretation of Poisson-Lie $T$-duality in this setting and derive the action of the $\mathsf{E}$-model.