1/2 BPS Wilson loops in non-conformal N = 2 gauge theories and localization: a three-loop analysis

Abstract

We study the 1/2 BPS circular Wilson loop in four-dimensional SU(N), $N = 2$ SYM theories with massless hypermultiplets and non-vanishing $\beta$-function. Using super-symmetric localization on $S_4$ , we map the path-integral associated with this observable onto an interacting matrix model. Despite the breaking of conformal symmetry at the quantum level, we show that, within a specific regime, the matrix model predictions remain consistent with the perturbative results in flat space up to order $g^6$ . At this order, our analysis reveals that the reorganization of Feynman diagrams based on the matrix model interaction potential, widely tested in (super)conformal models, also applies to these non-conformal set-ups and is realized by interference mechanisms.