Free Massless Field Research Articles

A perturbative approach to the non-relativistic string spectrum

In this letter we use a perturbative approach to find the spectrum of non-relativistic strings in the String Newton-Cartan (SNC) AdS5×S5 spacetime. We perturb the bosonic sector of the action around a BMN-like folded string solution in light-cone gauge. We find strong evidence that the theory is described by a combination of massive and massless free fields in an anti-de Sitter background by showing that interaction terms up to six scalars vanish after field redefinitions.

Classicality of stochastic noise away from quasi-de Sitter inflation

It is well known that a coarse-grained scalar field living on a de Sitter (dS) background exhibits classical stochastic behavior, driven by a noise whose amplitude is set by the Hubble constant H. The coarse-graining is achieved by discarding wave numbers larger than a cutoff σaH and demanding that σ ≪ 1. Similar results hold for quasi-dS space, where the equation of state parameter w is close to -1. Here we present exact expressions for the noise amplitude of a free massless field on an inflationary background with constant w < -1/3. We find that a classical stochastic behavior can emerge for -5/3 < w < -1/3. Furthermore, as we move away from w = -1 and approach w = -1/3, the constraint σ ≪ 1 is relaxed and larger cutoffs (σ ∼ 1) become feasible, too. However, in general the amplitude of the noise depends on σ, except in the quasi-dS regime w ≈ -1.

Percolation transition for random forests in d⩾3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$d\\geqslant 3$\\end{document}

The arboreal gas is the probability measure on (unrooted spanning) forests of a graph in which each forest is weighted by a factor β>0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$\\beta >0$\\end{document} per edge. It arises as the q→0\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$q\ o 0$\\end{document} limit of the q\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$q$\\end{document}-state random cluster model with p=βq\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$p=\\beta q$\\end{document}. We prove that in dimensions d⩾3\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$d\\geqslant 3$\\end{document} the arboreal gas undergoes a percolation phase transition. This contrasts with the case of d=2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$d=2$\\end{document} where no percolation transition occurs.The starting point for our analysis is an exact relationship between the arboreal gas and a non-linear sigma model with target space the fermionic hyperbolic plane H0|2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$\\mathbb{H}^{0|2}$\\end{document}. This latter model can be thought of as the 0-state Potts model, with the arboreal gas being its random cluster representation. Unlike the standard Potts models, the H0|2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$\\mathbb{H}^{0|2}$\\end{document} model has continuous symmetries. By combining a renormalisation group analysis with Ward identities we prove that this symmetry is spontaneously broken at low temperatures. In terms of the arboreal gas, this symmetry breaking translates into the existence of infinite trees in the thermodynamic limit. Our analysis also establishes massless free field correlations at low temperatures and the existence of a macroscopic tree on finite tori.

Photon quantization in cosmological spaces

Canonical quantization of the photon—a free massless vector field—is considered in cosmological spacetimes in a two-parameter family of linear gauges that treat all the vector potential components on equal footing. The goal is setting up a framework for computing photon two-point functions appropriate for loop computations in realistic inflationary spacetimes. The quantization is implemented without relying on spacetime symmetries, but rather it is based on the classical canonical structure. Special attention is paid to the quantization of the canonical first-class constraint structure that is implemented as the condition on the physical states. This condition gives rise to subsidiary conditions that the photon two-point functions must satisfy. Some of the de Sitter space photon propagators from the literature are found not to satisfy these subsidiary conditions, bringing into question their consistency. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

A State Space for 3D Euclidean Yang–Mills Theories

It is believed that Euclidean Yang–Mills theories behave like the massless Gaussian free field (GFF) at short distances. This makes it impossible to define the main observables for these theories—the Wilson loop observables—in dimensions greater than two, because line integrals of the GFF do not exist in such dimensions. Taking forward a proposal of Charalambous and Gross, this article shows that it is possible to define Euclidean Yang–Mills theories on the 3D unit torus as ‘random distributional gauge orbits’, provided that they indeed behave like the GFF in a certain sense. One of the main technical tools is the existence of the Yang–Mills heat flow on the 3D torus starting from GFF-like initial data, which is established in a companion paper. A key consequence of this construction is that under the GFF assumption, one can define a notion of ‘regularized Wilson loop observables’ for Euclidean Yang–Mills theories on the 3D unit torus.

Scattering on self-dual Taub-NUT

We derive exact solutions of massless free field equations and tree-level two-point amplitudes up to spin 2 on self-dual Taub-NUT (SDTN) spacetime, as well as on its single copy, the self-dual dyon (SDD). We use Killing spinors to build analogues of momentum eigenstates, finding that, in the spirit of color-kinematics duality, those for the SDD lift directly to provide states on the SDTN background if one replaces charge with energy. We discover that they are forced to have faster growth at infinity than in flat space due to the topological non-triviality of these backgrounds. The amplitudes for massless scalars and spinning particles in the and helicity configurations vanish for generic kinematics as a consequence of the integrability of the self-dual sector. The amplitudes are non-vanishing and we compute them exactly in the backgrounds, which are treated non-perturbatively. It is explained how spin is easily introduced via a Newman–Janis imaginary shift along the spin-vector leading directly to the well-known exponential factor in the dot product of the spin with the momenta. We also observe a double copy relation between the gluon amplitude on a SDD and graviton amplitude on a SDTN spacetime.

Constructing Carrollian field theories from null reduction

In this paper, we propose a novel way to construct off-shell actions of d-dimensional Carrollian field theories by considering the null-reduction of the Bargmann invariant actions in d +1 dimensions. This is based on the fact that d-dimensional Carrollian symmetry is the restriction of the (d + 1)-dimensional Bargmann symmetry to a null hypersurface. We focus on free scalar field theory and electromagnetic field theory, and show that the electric sectors and the magnetic sectors of these theories originate from different Bargmann invariant actions in one higher dimension. In the cases of massless free scalar field and d = 4 electromagnetic field, we verify the Carrollian conformal invariance of the resulting theories, and find that there appear naturally chain representations and staggered modules of Carrollian conformal algebra.

Localization of gravitino field with non-minimal coupling on a thick brane

In this paper, we investigate localization of a five-dimensional gravitino field on a thick brane with non-minimal coupling. By choosing the gauge condition Ψ z = 0, the equations of the Kaluza-Klein (KK) modes of gravitino are obtained. Compared with the case without non-minimal coupling,considering non-minimal coupling can make the zero mode and massive KK modes of a five-dimensional free massless gravitino field be localized on the brane. By considering the Yukawa-like coupling and the non-minimum coupling simultaneously, it is found that the non-minimal coupling will change the mass spectrum of the KK modes and provide more possibility to localize KK modes.

The Massless Modular Hamiltonian

We compute the vacuum local modular Hamiltonian associated with a space ball region in the free scalar massless Quantum Field Theory. We give an explicit expression on the one particle Hilbert space in terms of the higher dimensional Legendre differential operator. The quadratic form of the massless modular Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of an integral of the energy density with the parabolic distribution. We then get the formula for the local entropy of a wave packet. This gives the vacuum relative entropy of a coherent state on the double cone von Neumann algebras associated with the free scalar QFT. Among other points, we provide the passivity characterisation of the modular Hamiltonian within the standard subspace setup.

Infinite conformal symmetry and emergent chiral fields of topologically nontrivial configurations: From Yang-Mills-Higgs theory to the Skyrme model

In this manuscript, we discuss a remarkable phenomenon concerning nonlinear and nonintegrable field theories in ($3+1$) dimensions, living at finite density and possessing nontrivial topological charges and non-Abelian internal symmetries (both local and global). With suitable types of Ans\"atze, one can construct infinite-dimensional families of analytic solutions with nonvanishing topological charges (representing the baryonic number) labeled by both two integer numbers and by free scalar fields in ($1+1$) dimensions. These exact configurations represent ($3+1$)-dimensional topological solitons hosting ($1+1$)-dimensional chiral modes localized at the energy density peaks. First, we analyze the Yang-Mills-Higgs model, in which the fields depend on all the space-time coordinates (to keep alive the topological Chern-Simons charge), but in such a way to reduce the equations system to the field equations of two-dimensional free massless chiral scalar fields. Then, we move to the nonlinear sigma model, showing that a suitable Ansatz reduces the field equations to the one of a two-dimensional free massless scalar field. Then, we discuss the Skyrme model concluding that the inclusion of the Skyrme term gives rise to a chiral two-dimensional free massless scalar field (instead of a free massless field in two dimensions as in the nonlinear sigma model) describing analytically spatially modulated hadronic layers and tubes. The comparison of the present approach both with the instanton-dyon liquid approach and with lattice QCD is shortly outlined.

Weyl double copy and massless free-fields in curved spacetimes

In spinor formalism, since any massless free-field spinor with spin higher than 1/2 can be constructed with spin-1/2 spinors (Dirac–Weyl (DW) spinors) and scalars, we introduce a map between Weyl fields and DW fields. We determine the corresponding DW spinors in a given empty spacetime. Regarding them as basic units, other higher spin massless free-field spinors are then identified. Along this way, we find some hidden fundamental features related to these fields. In particular, for non-twisting vacuum Petrov type N solutions, we show that all higher spin massless free-field spinors can be constructed with one type of DW spinor and the zeroth copy. Furthermore, we systematically rebuild the Weyl double copy for non-twisting vacuum type N and vacuum type D solutions. Moreover, we show that the zeroth copy not only connects the gravity fields with a single copy but also connects the degenerate Maxwell fields with the DW fields in the curved spacetime, both for type N and type D cases. Besides, we extend the study to non-twisting vacuum type III solutions. We find a particular DW scalar independent of the proposed map and whose square is proportional to the Weyl scalar. A degenerate Maxwell field and an auxiliary scalar field are then identified. Both of them play similar roles as the Weyl double copy. The result further inspires us that there is a deep connection between gravity theory and gauge theory.

Interacting Massless Infraparticles in 1+1 Dimensions

The Buchholz' scattering theory of waves in two dimensional massless models suggests a natural definition of a scattering amplitude. We compute such a scattering amplitude for charged infraparticles that live in the GNS representation of the 2$d$ massless scalar free field and obtain a non-trivial result. It turns out that these excitations exchange phases, depending on their charges, when they collide.

AdS3/AdS2 degression of massless particles

We study a 3d/2d dimensional degression which is a Kaluza-Klein type mechanism in AdS3 space foliated into AdS2 hypersurfaces. It is shown that an AdS3 massless particle of spin s = 1, 2, …, ∞ degresses into a couple of AdS2 particles of equal energies E = s. Note that the Kaluza-Klein spectra in higher dimensions are always infinite. To formulate the AdS3/AdS2 degression we consider branching rules for AdS3 isometry algebra o(2,2) representations decomposed with respect to AdS2 isometry algebra o(1,2). We find that a given o(2,2) higher-spin representation lying on the unitary bound (i.e. massless) decomposes into two equal o(1,2) modules. In the field-theoretical terms, this phenomenon is demonstrated for spin-2 and spin-3 free massless fields. The truncation to a finite spectrum can be seen by using particular mode expansions, (partial) diagonalizations, and identities specific to two dimensions.

The σ− Cohomology Analysis for Symmetric Higher-Spin Fields

In this paper, we present a complete proof of the so-called First On-Shell Theorem that determines dynamical content of the unfolded equations for free symmetric massless fields of arbitrary integer spin in any dimension and arbitrary integer or half-integer spin in four dimensions. This is achieved by calculation of the respective σ− cohomology both in the tensor language in Minkowski space of any dimension and in terms of spinors in AdS4. In the d-dimensional case Hp(σ−) is computed for any p and interpretation of Hp(σ−) is given both for the original Fronsdal system and for the associated systems of higher form fields.

Black Hole as a Quantum Field Configuration

We describe 4D evaporating black holes as quantum field configurations by solving the semi-classical Einstein equation G μ ν = 8 π G ⟨ ψ | T μ ν | ψ ⟩ and quantum matter fields in a self-consistent manner. As the matter fields, we consider N massless free scalar fields (N is large). We find a spherically symmetric self-consistent solution of the metric g μ ν and the state | ψ ⟩ . Here, g μ ν is locally A d S 2 × S 2 geometry, and | ψ ⟩ provides ⟨ ψ | T μ ν | ψ ⟩ = ⟨ 0 | T μ ν | 0 ⟩ + T μ ν ( ψ ) , where | 0 ⟩ is the ground state of the matter fields in the metric and T μ ν ( ψ ) consists of the excitation of s-waves that describe the collapsing matter and Hawking radiation with the ingoing negative energy flow. This object is supported by a large tangential pressure ⟨ 0 | T θ θ | 0 ⟩ due to the vacuum fluctuation of the bound modes with large angular momenta l ≫ 1 . This describes the interior of the black hole when the back reaction of the evaporation is taken into account. In this picture, the black hole is a compact object with a surface (instead of horizon) that looks like a conventional black hole from the outside and eventually evaporates without a singularity. If we count the number of configurations { | ψ ⟩ } that satisfy the self-consistent equation, we reproduce the area law of the entropy. This tells that the information is carried by the s-waves inside the black hole. | ψ ⟩ also describes the process that the negative ingoing energy flow created with Hawking radiation is superposed on the collapsing matter to decrease the total energy while the total energy density remains positive. Finally, as a special case, we consider conformal matter fields and show that the interior metric is determined by the matter content of the theory, which leads to a new constraint to the matter contents for the black hole to evaporate.

Synchrotron radiation in odd dimensions

In odd space-time dimensions, the retarded solution of the massless wave equation has support not only on the light cone, but also inside it. At the same time, a free massless field should propagate at the speed of light. The apparent contradiction of these two features is resolved by the fact that the emitted part of the field in the wave zone depends on the history of motion up to the retarded moment of proper time. It is shown that in the case of circular motion with ultrarelativistic velocity, the main contribution to the radiation amplitude is made by a small interval of proper time preceding the retarded time, and thus the tail term is effectively localized. We obtain a tentative formula for scalar synchrotron radiation in $D$ dimensions: $P =g^2(\omega_0\gamma^2/\sqrt{3})^{D-2}$, which is explicitly verified in $D=3,\,4,\,5$.

Jackiw-Teitelboim model coupled to conformal matter in the semi-classical limit

We analyse the Jackiw-Teitelboim model of 2D gravity coupled to N massless free scalar fields in the semi-classical limit. Two systems are studied which essentially differ in the boundary conditions that are imposed. We find that the thermodynamics has interesting differences. We also analyse the response to additional infalling matter which satisfies the null energy condition. The second law is shown to be valid in both systems for the generalised entropy which takes into account the entanglement across the event horizon due to the matter fields. Similarly we find that the generalised entropy increases along future Q-screens in both systems.

Pulling out the island with modular flow

Recent works have suggested that the entanglement wedge of Hawking radiation coming from an AdS black hole will include an island inside the black hole interior after the Page time. In this paper, we propose a concrete way to extract the information from the island by acting only on the radiation degrees of freedom, building on the equivalence between the boundary and bulk modular flow. We consider examples with black holes in JT gravity coupled to baths. In the case that the bulk conformal fields contain free massless fermion field, we provide explicit bulk picture of the information extraction process, where we find that one can almost pull out an operator from the island to the bath with modular flow.

A Second-Quantized Kolmogorov–Chentsov Theorem via the Operator Product Expansion

We establish a direct connection between two fundamental topics: one in probability theory and one in quantum field theory. The first topic is the problem of pointwise multiplication of random Schwartz distributions which has been the object of recent progress thanks to Hairer’s theory of regularity structures and the theory of paracontrolled distributions introduced by Gubinelli, Imkeller and Perkowski. The second topic is Wilson’s operator product expansion which is a general property of models of quantum field theory and a cornerstone of the bootstrap approach to conformal field theory. Our main result is a general theorem for the almost sure construction of products of random distributions by mollification and suitable additive as well as multiplicative renormalizations. The hypothesis for this theorem is the operator product expansion with precise bounds for pointwise correlations. We conjecture these bounds to be universal features of quantum field theories with gapped dimension spectrum. Our theorem can accommodate logarithmic corrections, anomalous scaling dimensions and even lack of translation invariance. However, it only applies to fields with short distance singularities that are milder than white noise. As an application, we provide a detailed treatment of a scalar conformal field theory of mean field type, i.e., the fractional massless free field also known as the fractional Gaussian field.

Unruh quantum Otto heat engine with level degeneracy

We investigate the Unruh quantum Otto heat engine with level degeneracy. An effectively two-level system, where the ground state is non-degenerate and the excited state is n-fold degenerate, is acting as the working substance, and the vacuum of massless free scalar field serves as a thermal bath via the Unruh effect. We calculate the heat and work at each step of the Unruh quantum Otto cycle and study the features of the heat engine. The efficiency of the heat engine depends only on the excited energy values of the two-level system, not on its level degeneracy. However, the degeneracy acts as a kind of thermodynamic resource and helps us to extract more work than in the non-degenerate case. The extractable work has a finite upper bound, corresponding to n→∞.