Bethe Ansatz for Quantum-Deformed Strings

Abstract: Two distinct $\eta$-deformations of strings on AdS$_5\times$S$^5$ can be defined; both amount to integrable quantum deformations of the string non-linear sigma model, but only one is itself a superstring background. In this paper we compare their conjectured all-loop worldsheet S matrices and derive the corresponding Bethe equations. We find that, while the S matrices are apparently different, they lead to the same Bethe equations. Moreover, in either case the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix, which encode the conserved charges of each system, also coincide. We conclude that the integrable structure underlying the two constructions is essentially the same. Finally, we write down the full Bethe-Yang equations describing the asymptotic spectrum of the superstring background.