Gauge Theory and Boundary Integrability

Abstract: We study the mixed topological / holomorphic Chern-Simons theory of Costello, Witten and Yamazaki on an orbifold $(\Sigma\times{\mathbb C})/{\mathbb Z}_2$, obtaining a description of lattice integrable systems in the presence of a boundary. By performing an order $\hbar$ calculation we derive a formula for the the asymptotic behaviour of $K$-matrices associated to rational, quasi-classical $R$-matrices. The ${\mathbb Z}_2$-action on $\Sigma\times {\mathbb C}$ fixes a line $L$, and line operators on $L$ are shown to be labelled by representations of the twisted Yangian. The OPE of such a line operator with a Wilson line in the bulk is shown to give the coproduct of the twisted Yangian. We give the gauge theory realisation of the Sklyanin determinant and related conditions in the $RTT$ presentation of the boundary Yang-Baxter equation.