1-loop renormalisability of integrable sigma-models from 4d Chern-Simons theory

Large families of integrable 2d σ-models have been constructed at the classical level, partly motivated by the utility of integrability on the string worldsheet. It is natural to ask whether these theories are renormalisable at the quantum level, and whether they define quantum integrable field theories. By considering examples, a folk theorem has emerged: the classically integrable σ-models always turn out to be renormalisable, at least at 1-loop order. We prove this theorem for a large class of models engineered on surface defects in the 4d Chern-Simons theory by Costello and Yamazaki. We derive the flow of the ‘twist 1-form’ (a 4d coupling constant that distinguishes different 2d models), proving earlier conjectures and extending previous results. Our approach is general, using the ‘universal’ form of 2d integrable models’ UV divergences in terms of their Lax connection and reinterpreting the result in the language of 4d Chern-Simons. These results apply equally to rational, trigonometric and elliptic models.