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At least 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Beyond AdS 2 /dCFT 1 : insertions in two Wilson loops

We consider two-point correlators of local operator insertions in a system of two Wilson-Maldacena loops in $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on both sides of the AdS/CFT correspondence. On the holographic side the correlator of two Wilson-Maldacena loops is given by a classical string world-sheet which in one phase connects two asymptotically AdS 2 regions and in the other phase is given by two disconnected AdS 2 caps; this configuration breaks supersymmetry as well as conformal invariance. We present a complete systematic account of the string world-sheet fluctuations, including the fermionic sector, and study the behavior of the holographic two-point correlators. On the field theory side we compute certain two-point correlators of local operator insertions by resumming sets of ladder diagrams. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of previously developed methods in tackling this non-conformal, non-susy regime.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Celestial Quantum Error Correction. Part II. From qudits to celestial CFT

A holographic CFT description of asymptotically flat spacetimes inherits vacuum degeneracies and IR divergences from its gravitational dual. We devise a Quantum Error Correcting (QEC) framework to encode both effects as correctable fluctuations on the CFT dual. The framework is physically motivated by embedding a chain of qudits in the so-called Klein spacetime and then taking a continuum 𝑁 → ∞ limit. At finite 𝑁 the qudit chain 1) enjoys a discrete version of celestial symmetries and 2) supports a Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill (GKP) code. The limit results in hard states with quantized BMS hair in the celestial torus forming the logical subspace, robust under errors induced by soft radiation. Technically, the construction leverages the recently studied 𝑤 1+∞ hierarchy of soft currents and its realization from a sigma model in twistor space.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Transverse spin in the light-ray OPE

We study a product of null-integrated local operators O 1 and O 2 on the same null plane in a CFT. Such null-integrated operators transform like primaries in a fictitious d – 2 dimensional CFT in the directions transverse to the null integrals. We give a complete description of the OPE in these transverse directions. The terms with low transverse spin are light-ray operators with spin J 1 + J 2 – 1. The terms with higher transverse spin are primary descendants of light-ray operators with higher spins J 1 + J 2 – 1 + n, constructed using special conformally-invariant differential operators that appear precisely in the kinematics of the light-ray OPE. As an example, the OPE between average null energy operators contains light-ray operators with spin 3 (as described by Hofman and Maldacena), but also novel terms with spin 5, 7, 9, etc. These new terms are important for describing energy two-point correlators in non-rotationally-symmetric states, and for computing multi-point energy correlators. We check our formulas in a non-rotationally-symmetric energy correlator in N = 4 SYM, finding perfect agreement.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
NASA NTRS1972

Theoretical frameworks for testing relativistic gravity. IV - A compendium of metric theories of gravity and their post-Newtonian limits.

Metric theories of gravity are compiled and classified according to the types of gravitational fields they contain, and the modes of interaction among those fields. The gravitation theories considered are classified as (1) general relativity, (2) scalar-tensor theories, (3) conformally flat theories, and (4) stratified theories with conformally flat space slices. The post-Newtonian limit of each theory is constructed and its Parametrized Post-Newtonian (PPN) values are obtained by comparing it with Will's version of the formalism. Results obtained here, when combined with experimental data and with recent work by Nordtvedt and Will and by Ni, show that, of all theories thus far examined by our group, the only currently viable ones are general relativity, the Bergmann-Wagoner scalar-tensor theory and its special cases (Nordtvedt; Brans-Dicke-Jordan), and a recent, new vector-tensor theory by Nordtvedt, Hellings, and Will.

Ni, W.-T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Inflation in anisotropic scalar-tensor theories

The existence of an inflationary phase in anisotropic Scalar-Tensor Theories is investigated by means of a conformal transformation that allows us to rewrite these theories as gravity minimally coupled to a scalar field with a nontrivial potential. The explicit form of the potential is then used and the No Hair Theorem concludes that there is an inflationary phase in all open or flat anisotropic spacetimes in these theories. Several examples are constructed where the effect becomes manifest.

Pimentel, Luis O.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Inflaton Decay in No-Scale Supergravity and Starobinsky-like Models

We consider the decay of the inflaton in Starobinsky-like models arising from either an R+R 2 theory of gravity or N = 1 no-scale supergravity models. If Standard Model matter is simply introduced to the R+R 2 theory, the inflaton (which appears when the theory is conformally transformed into the Einstein frame) couples to matter predominantly in Standard Model Higgs kinetic terms. This will typically lead to a reheating temperature of ~3 × 10 9 GeV. However, if the Standard Model Higgs is conformally coupled to curvature, the decay rate may be suppressed and vanishes for conformal coupling ζ = 1/6. Nevertheless, the inflaton decays through the conformal anomaly, leading to a reheating temperature of the order of 10 8 GeV. The Starobinsky potential may also arise in no-scale supergravity. In this case, the inflaton decays if there is a direct coupling of the inflaton to matter in the superpotential or to gauge fields through the gauge kinetic function. We also discuss the relation between the theories and demonstrate the correspondence between the no-scale models and the conformally coupled R+R 2 theory (with ζ = 1/6).

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

First-order formalism for β functions in bosonic sigma models from supersymmetry breaking

We consider the renormalization group flow equation for the two-dimensional sigma models with the Kähler target space. The first-order formulation allows us to treat perturbations in these models as current-current deformations. We demonstrate, however, that the conventional first-order formalism misses certain anomalies in the measure, and should be amended. We reconcile beta functions obtained within the conformal perturbation theory for the current-current deformations with traditional “geometric” results obtained in the background field methods, in this way resolving the peculiarities pointed out in O. Gamayun et al. [Peculiarities of beta functions in sigma models, J. High Energy Phys. 10 (2023) 097]. The result is achieved by the supersymmetric completion of the first-order sigma model.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Impossible symmetries and conformal gravity

We explore the physics of relativistic gapless phases defined by a mixed anomaly between two generalized conserved currents. The gapless modes can be understood as Goldstone modes arising from the nonlinear realization of (generically higher-form) symmetries arising from these currents. In some cases, the anomaly cannot be reproduced by any local and unitary theory, indicating that the corresponding symmetries are impossible, in the sense that they cannot appear in a Lorentzian physical system. We give a general construction and illustrate it with several examples. Most notably, we study conformal gravity from this perspective, describing the higher-form symmetries of the linear theory and showing how it can be understood in terms of anomalies. Along the way we clarify some aspects of electric-magnetic duality in linear conformal gravity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2018

Gravitational Potential and Non-relativistic Lagrangian in Modified Gravity with Varying G

We have recently shown that the baryonic Tully-Fisher (BTF) and Faber-Jackson (BFJ) relations imply that the gravitational "constant" G in the force law vary with acceleration alpha as 1/alpha . Here we derive the converse from first principles. First we obtain the gravitational potential for all accelerations and we formulate the Lagrangian for the central-force problem. Then action minimization implies the BTF/BFJ relations in the deep MOND limit as well as weak-field Weyl gravity in the Newtonian limit. The results show how we can properly formulate a nonrelativistic conformal theory of modified dynamics that reduces to MOND in its low-acceleration limit and to Weyl gravity in the opposite limit. An unavoidable conclusion is that alpha-0 , the transitional acceleration in modified dynamics, does not have a cosmological origin and it may not even be constant among galaxies and galaxy clusters.

Christodoulou, Dimitris M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Supersymmetry and the celestial Jacobi identity

In this paper we study the simplifying effects of supersymmetry on celestial OPEs at both tree and loop level. We find at tree level that theories with unbroken supersymmetry around a stable vacuum have celestial soft current algebras satisfying the Jacobi identity, and we show at one loop that celestial OPEs in these theories have no double poles.

Supersymmetric Gauge Theory↗
DOE OSTI2021

Continuum-mediated self-interacting dark matter

Dark matter may self-interact through a continuum of low-mass states. This happens if dark matter couples to a strongly-coupled nearly-conformal hidden sector. This type of theory is holographically described by brane-localized dark matter interacting with bulk fields in a slice of 5D anti-de Sitter space. The long-range potential in this scenario depends on a non-integer power of the spatial separation, in contrast to the Yukawa potential generated by the exchange of a single 4D mediator. The resulting self-interaction cross section scales like a non-integer power of velocity. We identify the Born, classical and resonant regimes and investigate them using state-of-the-art numerical methods. We demonstrate the viability of our continuum-mediated framework to address the astrophysical small-scale structure anomalies. Investigating the continuum-mediated Sommerfeld enhancement, we demonstrate that a pattern of resonances can occur depending on the non-integer power. We conclude that continuum mediators introduce novel power-law scalings which open new possibilities for dark matter self-interaction phenomenology.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2024

Frank–Kasper Phases of Diblock Copolymer Melts: Self-Consistent Field Results of Two Commonly Used Models

We constructed phase diagrams of conformationally asymmetric diblock copolymer A-B melts using the polymer self-consistent field (SCF) calculations of both the dissipative particle dynamics chain (DPDC) model (i.e., compressible melts of discrete Gaussian chains with the DPD non-bonded potential) and the “standard” model (i.e., incompressible melts of continuous Gaussian chains with the Dirac δ-function non-bonded potential) in the χN-ε plane, where χN and ε characterize, respectively, the repulsion and conformational asymmetry between the A and B blocks, at the A-block volume fraction f = 0.2 and 0.3. Consistent with previous SCF calculations of the “standard” model, σ and A15 are the only stable Frank–Kasper (FK) phases among the five FK (i.e., σ, A15, C14, C15 and Z) phases considered. The stability of σ and A15 is due to their delicate balance between the energetic and entropic contributions to the Helmholtz free energy per chain of the system, which, within our parameter range, increases in the order of σ/A15, Z, and C14/C15. While in general the SCF phase diagrams of these two models are qualitatively consistent, A15 is not stable for the DPDC model at the copolymer chain length N = 10 and f = 0.3; any differences in the SCF phase diagrams are solely due to the differences between these two models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Goldstone bosons on celestial sphere and conformal soft theorems

In this paper, we study celestial amplitudes of Goldstone bosons and conformal soft theorems. Motivated by the success of soft bootstrap in momentum space and the important role of the soft limit behavior of tree-level amplitudes, our goal is to extend some of the methods to the celestial sphere. The crucial ingredient of the calculation is the Mellin transformation, which transforms four-dimensional scattering amplitudes to correlation functions of primary operators in the celestial CFT. The soft behavior of the amplitude is then translated to the singularities of the correlator. Only for amplitudes in “UV completed theories” (with sufficiently good high energy behavior) the Mellin integration can be properly performed. In all other cases, the celestial amplitude is only defined in a distributional sense with delta functions. We provide many examples of celestial amplitudes in UV-completed models, including linear sigma models and Z-theory, which is a certain completion of the SU(N) non-linear sigma model. We also comment on the BCFW-like and soft recursion relations for celestial amplitudes and the extension of soft bootstrap ideas.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Unveiling horizons in quantum critical collapse

Critical gravitational collapse offers a unique window into regimes of arbitrarily high curvature, culminating in a naked singularity arising from smooth initial data — thus providing a dynamical counterexample to weak cosmic censorship. Near the critical regime, quantum effects from the collapsing matter are expected to intervene before full quantum gravity resolves the singularity. Despite its fundamental significance, a self-consistent treatment has so far remained elusive. In this work, we perform a one-loop semiclassical analysis using the robust anomaly-based method in the canonical setup of Einstein gravity minimally coupled to a free, massless scalar field. Focusing on explicitly solvable near-critical solutions in both 2 + 1 and 3 + 1 dimensions, we analytically solve the semiclassical Einstein equations and obtain controlled, quantitative results for several long-standing questions within the dominant s-wave sector. We find that regularity uniquely selects a Boulware-like quantum state, encoding genuine vacuum polarization effects from the collapsing matter. Remarkably, the resulting quantum corrections manifest as a growing mode. Horizon-tracing analyses, incorporating both classical and quantum modes, reveal the emergence of a finite mass gap, signaling a phase transition from classical Type II to quantum-modified Type I behavior, thereby providing a quantum enforcement of the weak cosmic censorship. The most non-trivial aspect of our analysis involves dealing with non-conformal matter fields in explicitly time-dependent critical spacetimes. Along the way, we uncover intriguing and previously underexplored features of quantum field theory in curved spacetime.

2D Gravity↗
DOE OSTI2024

Celestial leaf amplitudes

Celestial amplitudes may be decomposed as weighted integrals of AdS 3 -Witten diagrams associated to each leaf of a hyperbolic foliation of spacetime. We show, for the Kleinian three-point MHV amplitude, that each leaf subamplitude is smooth except for the expected light-cone singularities. Moreover, we find that the full translationally-invariant celestial amplitude is simply the residue of the pole in the leaf amplitude at the point where the total conformal weights of the gluons equals three. This full celestial amplitude vanishes up to light-cone contact terms, as required by spacetime translation invariance, and reduces to the expression previously derived by Mellin transformation of the Parke-Taylor formula.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Global symmetry and integral constraint on superconformal lines in four dimensions

We study properties of point-like impurities preserving flavor symmetry and supersymmetry in four-dimensional 𝒩 = 2 field theories. At large distances, such impurities are described by half-BPS superconformal line defects. By working in the AdS 2 × S 2 conformal frame, we develop a novel and simpler way of deriving the superconformal Ward identities relating the various two-point functions of flavor current multiplet operators in the presence of the defect. We use these relations to simplify a certain integrated two-point function of flavor current multiplet operators that, in Lagrangian theories, can be computed using supersymmetric localization. The simplification gives an integral constraint on the two-point function of the flavor current multiplet superconformal primary with trivial integration measure in the AdS 2 × S 2 conformal frame. We provide several consistency checks on our Ward identities.

extended supersymmetry↗
DOE OSTI2024

Conformal boundary conditions for a 4d scalar field

We construct unitary, stable, and interacting conformal boundary conditions for a free massless scalar in four dimensions by coupling it to edge modes living on a boundary. The boundary theories we consider are bosonic and fermionic QED _3 3 with N_f N f flavors and a Chern-Simons term at level k k , in the large- N_f N f limit with fixed k/N_f k / N f . We find that interacting boundary conditions only exist when k≠ 0 k ≠ 0 . To obtain this result we compute the \beta β functions of the classically marginal couplings at the first non-vanishing order in the large- N_f N f expansion, and to all orders in k/N_f k / N f and in the couplings. To check vacuum stability we also compute the large- N_f N f effective potential. We compare our results with the the known conformal bootstrap bounds.

Di Pietro, Lorenzo (ORCID:0000000174965276)↗