Integrability in non-perturbative QFT

Abstract: Exact non-perturbative partition functions of coupling constants and external fields exhibit huge hidden symmetry, reflecting the possibility to change integration variables in the functional integral. In many cases this implies also some non-linear relations between correlation functions, typical for the tau-functions of integrable systems. To a variety of old examples, from matrix models to Seiberg-Witten theory and AdS/CFT correspondence, now adds the Chern-Simons theory of knot invariants. Some knot polynomials are already shown to combine into tau-functions, the search for entire set of relations is still in progress. It is already known, that generic knot polynomials fit into the set of Hurwitz partition functions -- and this provides one more stimulus for studying this increasingly important class of deformations of the ordinary KP/Toda tau-functions.