$q$-opers, $QQ$-systems, and Bethe Ansatz

Abstract

We introduce the notions of $(G,q)$-opers and Miura $(G,q)$-opers, where $G$ is a simply connected simple complex Lie group, and prove some general results about their structure. We then establish a one-to-one correspondence between the set of $(G,q)$-opers of a certain kind and the set of nondegenerate solutions of a system of Bethe Ansatz equations. This may be viewed as a $q$DE/IM correspondence between the spectra of a quantum integrable model (IM) and classical geometric objects ($q$-differential equations). If $\mathfrak{g}$ is simply laced, the Bethe Ansatz equations we obtain coincide with the equations that appear in the quantum integrable model of XXZ-type associated to the quantum affine algebra $U_q\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$. However, if $\mathfrak{g}$ is non-simply-laced, then these equations correspond to a different integrable model, associated to $U_q{}^L\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$ where ${}^L\hat{\mathfrak{g}}$ is the Langlands dual (twisted) affine algebra. A key element in this $q$DE/IM correspondence is the $QQ$-system that has appeared previously in the study of the ODE/IM correspondence and the Grothendieck ring of the category $\mathcal{O}$ of the relevant quantum affine algebra.