High-energy QCD as a topological field theory

We propose an identification of the conformal field theory underlying Lipat ov's spin-chain model of high-energy scattering in perturbative QCD. It is a twisted N = 2 supersymmetric topological field theory, which arises as th e limiting case of the SL(2, R)/U(1) non-linear sigma model that also plays a role in describing the Quantum Hall effect and black holes in string the ory. The doubly-infinite set of nontrivial integrals of motion of the high- energy spin-chain model displayed by Faddeev and Korchemsky are identified as the Cartan subalgebra of a W-infinity x W-infinity bosonic sub-symmetry possessed by this topolagical theory. The renormalization group and an anal ysis of instanton perturbations yield some understanding why this particula r topological spin-chain model emerges in the high-energy limit, and provid e a new estimate of the asymptotic behaviour of multi-Reggeized-gluon excha nge.