O($D$,$D$)-covariant two-loop $β$-functions and Poisson-Lie T-duality

Abstract: We show that the one- and two-loop $\beta$-functions of the closed, bosonic string can be written in a manifestly O($D$,$D$)-covariant form. Based on this result, we prove that 1) Poisson-Lie symmetric $\sigma$-models are two-loop renormalisable and 2) their $\beta$-functions are invariant under Poisson-Lie T-duality. Moreover, we identify a distinguished scheme in which Poisson-Lie symmetry is manifest. It simplifies the calculation of two-loop $\beta$-functions significantly and thereby provides a powerful new tool to advance into the quantum regime of integrable $\sigma$-models and generalised T-dualities. As an illustrating example, we present the two-loop $\beta$-functions of the integrable $\lambda$- and $\eta$-deformation.