Multi-instantons and Maldacena's conjecture

We examine certain n-point functions G(n) in N = 4 supersymmetric SU(N) gau ge theory at the conformal point. In the large-N limit, we are able to sum all leading-order multi-instanton contributions exactly. We find compelling evidence for Maldacena's conjecture: (1) The large-N k-instanton collectiv e coordinate space has the geometry of AdS(5) x S-5. (2) In exact agreement with type IIB superstring calculations, at the k-instanton level, G(n) = r oot N g(8) k(n-7)/(2)e(-8 pi 2k/g2) Sigma(d/k) d(-2) . F-n(x(1),..., x(n)), where F-n is identical to a convolution of n bulk-to-boundary SUGRA propag ators.