Sigma models on flags

We study (1+1)-dimensional non-linear sigma models whose target space is the flag manifold _U(N1)×_U^U((_N^N₂))···U(_Nm), with a specific focus on the special case U(N)/U(1)^N. These generalize the well-known CP^N-1 model. The general flag model exhibits several new elements that are not present in the special case of the CP^N-1 model. It depends on more parameters, its global symmetry can be larger, and its’t Hooft anomalies can be more subtle. Our discussion based on symmetry and anomaly suggests that for certain choices of the integers N_I and for specific values of the parameters the model is gapless in the IR and is described by an SU(N)₁ WZW model. Some of the techniques we present can also be applied to other cases.