The localization principle in SUSY gauge theories

Abstract

The localization principle is a powerful analytic tool in supersymmetric gauge theories which enables one to perform supersymmetric path integrals explicitly. Many important formulae have been obtained, and they led to a major breakthrough in the understanding of gauge theories at strong coupling as well as the dynamics of branes in M-theory. Some of those results are reviewed, focusing especially on Pestun's solution to four-dimensional N = 2 supersymmetric gauge theories on S4 and the subsequent developments on three- or four-dimensional gauge theories on spheres.