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At least 217 records · Page 12

$\mathcal{N}$ = (1, 0) anomaly multiplet relations in six dimensions

We consider conformal and ’t Hooft anomalies in six-dimensional $\mathcal{N}$ = (1, 0) superconformal field theories, focusing on those conformal anomalies that determine the two- and three-point functions of conserved flavor and SU(2) R currents, as well as stress tensors. By analyzing these correlators in superspace, we explain why the number of independent conformal anomalies is reduced in supersymmetric theories. For instance, non- supersymmetric CFTs in six dimensions have three independent conformal c-anomalies, which determine the stress-tensor two- and three-point functions, but in superconformal theories the three c-anomalies are subject to a linear constraint. We also describe anomaly multiplet relations, which express the conformal anomalies of a superconformal theory in terms of its ’t Hooft anomalies. Following earlier work on the conformal a-anomaly, we argue for these relations by considering the supersymmetric dilaton effective action on the tensor branch of such a theory. We illustrate the utility of these anomaly multiplet relations by presenting exact results for conformal anomalies, and hence current and stress-tensor correlators, in several interacting examples.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Nonperturbative dynamics of (2+1)d φ 4 -theory from Hamiltonian truncation

We use Lightcone Conformal Truncation (LCT) - a version of Hamiltonian truncation - to study the nonperturbative, real-time dynamics of φ 4 -theory in 2+1 dimensions. This theory has UV divergences that need to be regulated. We review how, in a Hamiltonian framework with a total energy cutoff, renormalization is necessarily state-dependent, and UV sensitivity cannot be canceled with standard local operator counter-terms. To overcome this problem, we present a prescription for constructing the appropriate state-dependent counterterms for (2+1)d φ 4 -theory in lightcone quantization. We then use LCT with this counterterm prescription to study φ 4 -theory, focusing on the $\mathbb{Z}$ 2 symmetry-preserving phase. Specifically, we compute the spectrum as a function of the coupling and demonstrate the closing of the mass gap at a (scheme-dependent) critical coupling. We also compute Lorentz-invariant two-point functions, both at generic strong coupling and near the critical point, where we demonstrate IR universality and the vanishing of the trace of the stress tensor.

field theories in lower dimensions↗

Solvable time-like cosets and holography beyond AdS

We build a novel time-like coset sigma-model describing type-II superstring theory in a charged rotating black-brane background that interpolates between a local AdS 3 in the IR and a linear-dilaton geometry in the UV. This allows one to peform a systematic study of holography in non-AdS backgrounds which are smoothly connected to AdS 3 . We construct massless closed string states vertex operators in the NS-NS sector, calculate the corresponding two-point correlation functions, and discuss holographic interpretation of our results from 4+1 dimensional boundary field theory point of view. Compactifying the theory on T 4 , we show that the spectrum of a single long string with unit winding agrees with the spectrum of a CFT 2 deformed by TT¯. We also calculate correlation functions of operators of the dual 1+1 dimensional non-conformal boundary field theory using worldsheet techniques.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Renormalization and conformal invariance of non-local quantum electrodynamics

We study renormalization group flow in a non-local version of quantum electrodynamics (QED). We determine the regime in which the theory flows to a local theory in the infrared and study a possible UV completion of four-dimensional QED. In addition, we find that there exist non-local conformal theories with a one-dimensional conformal manifold and non-local deformations of QED in three dimensions that are exactly marginal. Along the way we develop methods for coupling non-local derivatives to external sources and discuss unitarity and conformal vs. scale invariance of these theories.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Conformal bootstrap deformations

We explore the space of extremal functionals in the conformal bootstrap. By recasting the bootstrap problem as a set of non-linear equations parameterized by the CFT data, we find an efficient algorithm for converging to the extremal solution corresponding to the boundary of allowed regions in the parameter space of CFTs. Furthermore, by deforming these solutions, we demonstrate that certain solutions corresponding to known theories are continuously connected. Employing these methods, we will explore the space of non-unitary CFTs in the context of modular as well as correlation function bootstrap. In two dimensions, we show that the extremal solution corresponding to the Ising model is connected to that of the Yang-Lee minimal model. By deforming this solution to three dimensions, we provide evidence that the CFT data obtained in this way is compatible with the E-expansion for a non-unitary theory

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

AdS bulk locality from sharp CFT bounds

It is a long-standing conjecture that any CFT with a large central charge and a large gap Δ gap in the spectrum of higher-spin single-trace operators must be dual to a local effective field theory in AdS. We prove a sharp form of this conjecture by deriving numerical bounds on bulk Wilson coefficients in terms of Δ gap using the conformal bootstrap. Our bounds exhibit the scaling in Δ gap expected from dimensional analysis in the bulk. Our main tools are dispersive sum rules that provide a dictionary between CFT dispersion relations and S-matrix dispersion relations in appropriate limits. This dictionary allows us to apply recently-developed flat-space methods to construct positive CFT functionals. We show how AdS 4 naturally resolves the infrared divergences present in 4D flat-space bounds. Our results imply the validity of twice-subtracted dispersion relations for any S-matrix arising from the flat-space limit of AdS/CFT.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

3d TQFTs from Argyres–Douglas theories

We construct a new class of three-dimensional topological quantum field theories (3d TQFTs) by considering generalized Argyres–Douglas theories on S 1 × M 3 with a non-trivial holonomy of a discrete global symmetry along the S 1 . For the minimal choice of the holonomy, the resulting 3d TQFTs are non-unitary and semisimple, thus distinguishing themselves from theories of Chern–Simons and Rozansky–Witten types respectively. Changing the holonomy performs a Galois transformation on the TQFT, which can sometimes give rise to more familiar unitary theories such as the ${\left({G}_{2}\right)}_{1}$ and ${\left({F}_{4}\right)}_{1}$ Chern–Simons theories. Our construction is based on an intriguing relation between topologically twisted partition functions, wild Hitchin characters, and chiral algebras which, when combined together, relate Coulomb branch and Higgs branch data of the same 4d $\mathcal{N}=2$ theory. Finally, we test our proposal by applying localization techniques to the conjectural $\mathcal{N}=1$ UV Lagrangian descriptions of the (A 1 , A 2 ), (A 1 , A 3 ) and (A 1 , D 3 ) theories.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Postquantum Quench Growth of Renyi Entropies in Low-Dimensional Continuum Bosonic Systems

The growth of Renyi entropies after the injection of energy into a correlated system provides a window upon the dynamics of its entanglement properties. Here we develop a simulation scheme by which this growth can be determined in Luttinger liquids systems with arbitrary interactions, even those introducing gaps into the liquid. We apply this scheme to an experimentally relevant quench in the sine-Gordon field theory. While for short times we provide analytic expressions for the growth of the second and third Renyi entropy, to access longer times, we combine our scheme with truncated spectrum methods.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Surface defects in holographic 5d SCFTs

We use holography to study codimension-2 surface defects in 5d SCFTs engineered by (p, q) 5-brane webs. The three-dimensional defects are realized by D3-branes ending on the brane web. We identify the holographic representation of the defects in Type IIB AdS 6 solutions as probe D3-branes, and study conformal and non-conformal defects which, respectively, preserve one half and one quarter of the supersymmetry. For a sample of 5d SCFTs, including the T N theories, we provide explicit solutions for conformal and non-conformal defects. For the conformal defects we obtain their contribution to the free energy on S 5 .

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A 3d disordered superconformal fixed point

We initiate the study of a three dimensional disordered supersymmetric field theory. Specifically, we consider a $\mathcal{N}$= 2 large N Wess-Zumino like model with cubic superpotential involving couplings drawn from a Gaussian random ensemble. Taking inspiration from analyses of lower dimensional SYK like models we demonstrate that the theory flows to a strongly coupled superconformal fixed point in the infra-red. In particular, we obtain leading large N spectral data and operator product coefficients at the critical point. Moreover, the analytic control accorded by the model allows us to compare our results against those derived in the conformal bootstrap program and demonstrate consistency with general expectations.

1/N expansion↗

Solving the 2D SUSY Gross-Neveu-Yukawa model with conformal truncation

We use Lightcone Conformal Truncation to analyze the RG flow of the two-dimensional supersymmetric Gross-Neveu-Yukawa theory, i.e. the theory of a real scalar superfield with a $\mathbb{Z}$ 2 -symmetric cubic superpotential, aka the 2d Wess-Zumino model. The theory depends on a single dimensionless coupling $\overline{g}$, and is expected to have a critical point at a tuned value ${\overline{g}}_{\ast }$ where it flows in the IR to the Tricritical Ising Model (TIM); the theory spontaneously breaks the $\mathbb{Z}$ 2 symmetry on one side of this phase transition, and breaks SUSY on the other side. We calculate the spectrum of energies as a function of $\overline{g}$ and see the gap close as the critical point is approached, and numerically read off the critical exponent ν in TIM. Beyond the critical point, the gap remains nearly zero, in agreement with the expectation of a massless Goldstino. We also study spectral functions of local operators on both sides of the phase transition and compare to analytic predictions where possible. In particular, we use the Zamolodchikov C -function to map the entire phase diagram of the theory. Crucial to this analysis is the fact that our truncation is able to preserve supersymmetry sufficiently to avoid any additional fine tuning.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

On the planar limit of 3d $$ {\mathrm{T}}_{\rho}^{\sigma}\left[\mathrm{SU}\left(\mathrm{N}\right)\right] $$

A bstract We discuss a limit of 3d $$ {T}_{\rho}^{\sigma}\left[\mathrm{SU}(N)\right] $$ T ρ σ SU N quiver gauge theories in which the number of nodes is large and the ranks scale quadratically with the length of the quiver. The sphere free energies and topologically twisted indices are obtained using supersymmetric localization. Both scale quartically with the length of the quiver and quadratically with N , with trilogarithm functions depending on the quiver data as coefficients. The IR SCFTs have well-behaved supergravity duals in Type IIB, and the free energies match precisely with holographic results. Previously discussed theories with N 2 ln N scaling arise as limiting cases. Each balanced 3d quiver theory is linked to a 5d parent, whose matrix model is related and dominated by the same saddle point, leading to close relations between BPS observables.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Nonperturbative matching between equal-time and lightcone quantization

We investigate the nonperturbative relation between lightcone (LC) and standard equal-time (ET) quantization in the context of λΦ4 theory in d = 2. We discuss the perturbative matching between bare parameters and the failure of its naive nonperturbative extension. We argue that they are nevertheless the same theory nonperturbatively, and that furthermore the nonperturbative map between bare parameters can be extracted from ET perturbation theory via Borel resummation of the mass gap. We test this map by using it to compare physical quantities computed using numerical Hamiltonian truncation methods in ET and LC.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Giant Wilson loops and AdS 2 /dCFT 1

The 1/2-BPS Wilson loop in N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory is an important and well-studied example of conformal defect. In particular, much work has been done for the correlation functions of operator insertions on the Wilson loop in the fundamental representation. In this paper, we extend such analyses to Wilson loops in the large-rank symmetric and antisymmetric representations, which correspond to probe D3 and D5 branes with AdS 2 × S 2 and AdS 2 × S 4 worldvolume geometries, ending at the AdS 5 boundary along a one-dimensional contour. We first compute the correlation functions of protected scalar insertions from supersymmetric localization, and obtain a representation in terms of multiple integrals that are similar to the eigenvalue integrals of the random matrix, but with important differences. Using ideas from the Fermi Gas formalism and the Clustering method, we evaluate their large N limit exactly as a function of the ’t Hooft coupling. The results are given by simple integrals of polynomials that resemble the Q-functions of the Quantum Spectral Curve, with integration measures depending on the number of insertions. Next, we study the correlation functions of fluctuations on the probe D3 and D5 branes in AdS. We compute a selection of three- and four-point functions from perturbation theory on the D-branes, and show that they agree with the results of localization when restricted to supersymmetric kinematics. We also explain how the difference of the internal geometries of the D3 and D5 branes manifests itself in the localization computation.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

AdS 3 wormholes from a modular bootstrap

In recent work we computed the path integral of three-dimensional gravity with negative cosmological constant on spaces which are topologically a torus times an interval. Here we employ a modular bootstrap to show that the amplitude is completely fixed by consistency conditions and a few basic inputs from gravity. This bootstrap is notably for an ensemble of CFTs, rather than for a single instance. We also compare the 3d gravity result with the Narain ensemble. The former is well-approximated at low temperature by a random matrix theory ansatz, and we conjecture that this behavior is generic for an ensemble of CFTs at large central charge with a chaotic spectrum of heavy operators.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗