Operators with large quantum numbers, spinning strings, and giant gravitons

Abstract

We study the behavior of spinning strings in the background of various distributions of smeared giant gravitons in supergravity. This gives insights into the behavior of operators of high dimension, spin and $R$ charge. Using a new coordinate system recently presented in the literature, we find that it is particularly natural to prepare backgrounds in which the probe operators develop a variety of interesting new behaviors. Among these are the possession of orbital angular momentum as well as spin, the breakdown of logarithmic scaling of dimension with spin in the high spin regime, and novel splitting/fractionation processes.