Higher Dimensional Field Theories Research Articles

3d mirrors of the circle reduction of twisted A2N theories of class S

Mirror symmetry has proven to be a powerful tool to study several properties of higher dimensional superconformal field theories upon compactification to three dimensions. We propose a quiver description for the mirror theories of the circle reduction of twisted A2N theories of class S in four dimensions. Although these quivers bear a resemblance to the star-shaped quivers previously studied in the literature, they contain unitary, symplectic and special orthogonal gauge groups, along with hypermultiplets in the fundamental representation. The vacuum moduli spaces of these quiver theories are studied in detail. The Coulomb branch Hilbert series of the mirror theory can be matched with that of the Higgs branch of the corresponding four dimensional theory, providing a non-trivial check of our proposal. Moreover various deformations by mass and Fayet-Iliopoulos terms of such quiver theories are investigated. The fact that several of them flow to expected theories also gives another strong support for the proposal. Utilising the mirror quiver description, we discover a new supersymmetry enhancement renormalisation group flow.

REFINED SWAN CONDUCTORS OF ONE-DIMENSIONAL GALOIS REPRESENTATIONS

For a character of the absolute Galois group of a complete discrete valuation field, we define a lifting of the refined Swan conductor, using higher dimensional class field theory.

Holographic glueballs from the circle reduction of Romans supergravity

We reconsider a one-parameter class of known solutions of the circle compactification of Romans six-dimensional half-maximal supergravity. The gauge-theory duals of these solutions are confining four-dimensional field theories. Their UV completions consist of the compactification on a circle of a higher-dimensional field theory that is flowing between two fixed points in five dimensions. We systematically study the bosonic fluctuations of the supergravity theory, corresponding to the bosonic glueballs of the dual field theory.We perform numerically the calculation of the spectrum of excitations of all the bosonic fields, several of which had been disregarded in earlier work on the subject. We discuss the results as a function of the one parameter characterising the class of background solutions, hence further extending known results. We show how certain towers of states are independent of the background, and compare these states to existing lattice literature on four-dimensional Yang-Mills (pure) gauge theories, confirming the existence of close similarities.For the aforementioned analysis, we construct gauge-invariant combinations of the fields appearing in the reduction to five dimensions of the supergravity theory, and hence focus on the 32 physical bosonic degrees of freedom. We show explicitly how to implement gauge-fixing of the supergravity theory. The results of such technical work could be used to analyse the spectra of other theories proposed in the context of top-down holography. For example, it could be applied to holographic realisations of composite-Higgs and light-dilaton scenarios.

Magnetized orbifolds and localized flux

Magnetized orbifolds play an important role in compactifications of string theories and higher-dimensional field theories to four dimensions. Magnetic flux leads to chiral fermions, it can be a source of supersymmetry breaking and it is an important ingredient of moduli stabilization. Flux quantization on orbifolds is subtle due to the orbifold singularities. Generically, Wilson line integrals around these singularities are non-trivial, which can be interpreted as localized flux. As a consequence, flux densities on orbifolds can take the same values as on tori. We determine the transition functions for the flux vector bundle on the orbifold T2∕Z2 and the related twisted boundary conditions of zero-mode wave functions. We also construct “untwisted” zero-mode functions that are obtained for singular vector fields related to the Green’s function on a torus, and we discuss the connection between zeros of the wave functions and localized flux. Twisted and untwisted zero-mode functions are related by a singular gauge transformation.

HIGHER IDELES AND CLASS FIELD THEORY

We use higher ideles and duality theorems to develop a universal approach to higher dimensional class field theory.

Conformal quantum mechanics and sine-square deformation

We revisit conformal quantum mechanics (CQM) from the perspective of sine-square deformation (SSD) and the entanglement Hamiltonian. The operators that correspond to SSD and the entanglement Hamiltonian are identified. Thus, the nature of SSD and entanglement can be discussed in a much simpler CQM setting than higher-dimensional field theories.

Entanglement properties of boundary state and thermalization

We discuss the regularized boundary state {e}^{-{tau}_0H}Big|{left.Brightrangle}_a on two aspects in both 2D CFT and higher dimensional free field theory. One is its entanglement and correlation properties, which exhibit exponential decay in 2D CFT, the parameter 1/τ0 works as a mass scale. The other concerns with its time evolution, i.e., {e}^{-itH}{e}^{-{tau}_0H}Big|{left.Brightrangle}_a . We investigate the Kubo-Martin-Schwinger (KMS) condition on correlation function of local operators to detect the thermal properties. Interestingly we find the correlation functions in the initial state {e}^{-{tau}_0H}Big|{left.Brightrangle}_a also partially satisfy the KMS condition. In the limit t → ∞, the correlators will exactly satisfy the KMS condition. We generally analyse quantum quench by a pure state and obtain some constraints on the possible form of 2-point correlation function in the initial state if assuming they satisfies KMS condition in the final state. As a byproduct we find in an large τ0 limit the thermal property of 2-point function in {e}^{-{tau}_0H}Big|{left.Brightrangle}_a also appears.

Penrose limits of Abelian and non-Abelian T-duals of AdS5 \xd7 S5 and their field theory duals

We consider the backgrounds obtained by Abelian and non-Abelian T-duality applied on AdS5 × S5. We study geodesics, calculate Penrose limits and find the associated plane-wave geometries. We quantise the weakly coupled type-IIA string theory on these backgrounds. We study the BMN sector, finding operators that wrap the original quiver CFT. For the non-Abelian plane wave, we find a ‘flow’ in the frequencies. We report some progress to understand this, in terms of deconstruction of a higher dimensional field theory. We explore a relation with the plane-wave limit of the Janus solution, which we also provide.

Correlation functions in theories with Lifshitz scaling

The 2+1 dimensional quantum Lifshitz model can be generalised to a class of higher dimensional free field theories that exhibit Lifshitz scaling. When the dynamical critical exponent equals the number of spatial dimensions, equal time correlation functions of scaling operators in the generalised quantum Lifshitz model are given by a d-dimensional higher-derivative conformal field theory. Autocorrelation functions in the generalised quantum Lifshitz model in any number of dimensions can on the other hand be expressed in terms of autocorrelation functions of a two-dimensional conformal field theory. This also holds for autocorrelation functions in a strongly coupled Lifshitz field theory with a holographic dual of Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton type. The map to a two-dimensional conformal field theory extends to autocorrelation functions in thermal states and out-of-equilbrium states preserving symmetry under spatial translations and rotations in both types of Lifshitz models. Furthermore, the spectrum of quasinormal modes of scalar field perturbations in Lifshitz black hole backgrounds can be obtained analytically at low spatial momenta and exhibits a linear dispersion relation at z = d. At high momentum, the mode spectrum can be obtained in a WKB approximation and displays very different behaviour compared to holographic duals of conformal field theories. This has implications for thermalisation in strongly coupled Lifshitz field theories with z > 1.

Analyticity properties and asymptotic behavior of scattering amplitude in higher dimensional theories

The properties of the high energy behavior of the scattering amplitude of massive, neutral, and spinless particles in higher dimensional field theories are investigated. The axiomatic formulation of Lehmann, Symanzik, and Zimmermann (LSZ) is adopted. The analyticity properties of the causal, the retarded, and the advanced functions associated with the four point elastic amplitudes are studied. The analog of the Lehmann-Jost-Dyson representation is obtained in higher dimensional field theories. The generalized J-L-D representation is utilized to derive the t-plane analyticity property of the amplitude. The existence of an ellipse analogous to the Lehmann ellipse is demonstrated. Thus a fixed-t dispersion relation can be written down with a finite number of subtractions due to the temperedness of the amplitudes. The domain of analyticity of scattering amplitude in s and t variables is extended by imposing unitarity constraints. A generalized version of Martin’s theorem is derived to prove the existence of such a domain in D-dimensional field theories. It is shown that the amplitude can be expanded in a power series in t which converges for t<R, R being s-independent. The positivity properties of absorptive amplitudes are derived to prove the t-plane analyticity of amplitude. In the extended analyticity domain dispersion relations are written with two subtractions. The bound on the total cross section is derived from LSZ axioms without any extra ad hoc assumptions.

Jost–Lehmann–Dyson representation in higher dimensional field theories

Abstract The Jost–Lehmann–Dyson representation is derived for massive scalar field theories in higher spacetime dimensions, D > 4 , for the four point scattering amplitude. The representation is very crucial to investigate the analyticity properties of the amplitude. The axiomatic approach of Lehmann–Symanzik–Zimmermann is adopted to show the existence of such a representation. Consequently, a host of interesting results will follow from derivation of JLD representation such as proof of analyticity properties and asymptotic behavior of the amplitude.

Chow group of 0-cycles with modulus and higher-dimensional class field theory

One of the main results of this paper is a proof of the rank one case of an existence conjecture on lisse l-adic sheaves on a smooth variety over a finite field due to Deligne and Drinfeld. The problem is translated into the language of higher dimensional class field theory over finite fields, which describes the abelian fundamental group by Chow groups of zero cycles with moduli. A key ingredient is the construction of a cycle theoretic avatar of refined Artin conductor in ramification theory originally studied by Kazuya Kato.

Conformal field theory out of equilibrium: a review

We provide a pedagogical review of the main ideas and results in non-equilibrium conformal field theory and connected subjects. These concern the understanding of quantum transport and its statistics at and near critical points. Starting with phenomenological considerations, we explain the general framework, illustrated by the example of the Heisenberg quantum chain. We then introduce the main concepts underlying conformal field theory (CFT), the emergence of critical ballistic transport, and the CFT scattering construction of non-equilibrium steady states. Using this we review the theory for energy transport in homogeneous one-dimensional critical systems, including the complete description of its large deviations and the resulting (extended) fluctuation relations. We generalize some of these ideas to one-dimensional critical charge transport and to the presence of defects, as well as beyond one-dimensional criticality. We describe non-equilibrium transport in free-particle models, where connections are made with generalized Gibbs ensembles, and in higher-dimensional and non-integrable quantum field theories, where the use of the powerful hydrodynamic ideas for non-equilibrium steady states is explained. We finish with a list of open questions. The review does not assume any advanced prior knowledge of conformal field theory, large-deviation theory or hydrodynamics.

Defects in cohomological gauge theory and Donaldson–Thomas invariants

Donaldson-Thomas theory on a Calabi-Yau can be described in terms of a certain sixdimensional cohomological gauge theory. We introduce a certain class of defects in this gauge theory which generalize surface defects in four dimensions. These defects are associated with divisors and are defined by prescribing certain boundary conditions for the gauge fields. We discuss generalized instanton moduli spaces when the theory is defined with a defect and propose a generalization of Donaldson-Thomas invariants. These invariants arise by studying torsion free coherent sheaves on Calabi-Yau varieties with a certain parabolic structure along a divisor, determined by the defect. We discuss the case of the affine space as a concrete example. In this case the moduli space of parabolic sheaves admits an alternative description in terms of the representation theory of a certain quiver. The latter can be used to compute the invariants explicitly via equivariant localization. We also briefly discuss extensions of our work to other higher dimensional field theories.

Anomalies, Chern-Simons terms and black hole entropy

Recent derivations of Cardy-like formulae in higher dimensional field theories have opened up a way of computing, via AdS/CFT, universal contributions to black hole entropy from gravitational Chern-Simons terms. Based on the manifestly covariant formulation of the differential Noether charge for Chern-Simons terms proposed in arXiv:1407.6364, we compute the entropy and asymptotic charges for the rotating charged AdS black holes in higher dimensions at leading order of the fluid/gravity derivative expansion in the Einstein-Maxwell-Chern-Simons system. This gives a result that exactly matches the field theory predictions from Cardy-like formulae.

Super-Lie n-algebra extensions, higher WZW models and super-p-branes with tensor multiplet fields

We formalize higher-dimensional and higher gauge WZW-type sigma-model local prequantum field theory, and discuss its rationalized/perturbative description in (super-)Lie n-algebra homotopy theory (the true home of the "FDA"-language used in the supergravity literature). We show generally how the intersection laws for such higher WZW-type σ-model branes (open brane ending on background brane) are encoded precisely in (super-)L∞-extension theory and how the resulting "extended (super-)space-times" formalize spacetimes containing σ-model brane condensates. As an application we prove in Lie n-algebra homotopy theory that the complete super-p-brane spectrum of superstring/M-theory is realized this way, including the pure σ-model branes (the "old brane scan") but also the branes with tensor multiplet worldvolume fields, notably the D-branes and the M5-brane. For instance the degree-0 piece of the higher symmetry algebra of 11-dimensional (11D) spacetime with an M2-brane condensate turns out to be the "M-theory super-Lie algebra". We also observe that in this formulation there is a simple formal proof of the fact that type IIA spacetime with a D0-brane condensate is the 11D sugra/M-theory spacetime, and of (prequantum) S-duality for type IIB string theory. Finally we give the non-perturbative description of all this by higher WZW-type σ-models on higher super-orbispaces with higher WZW terms in stacky differential cohomology.

The status quo of higher dimensional class field theory

The status quo of higher dimensional class field theory

Introduction of a boundary in topological field theories

We study the consequences of the presence of a boundary in topological field theories in various dimensions. We characterize, univocally and on very general grounds, the field content and the symmetries of the actions which live on the boundary. We then show that these actions are covariant, despite appearances. We show also that physically relevant theories like the 2D Luttinger liquid model, or the 4D Maxwell theory, can be seen as boundary reductions of higher dimensional topological field theories, which do not display local observables.

Bulk curves from boundary data in holography

We embed spherical Rindler space---a geometry with a spherical hole in its center---in asymptotically anti-- de Sitter (AdS) spacetime and show that it carries a gravitational entropy proportional to the area of the hole. Spherical AdS-Rindler space is holographically dual to an ultraviolet sector of the boundary field theory given by restriction to a strip of finite duration in time. Because measurements have finite durations, local observers in the field theory can only access information about bounded spatial regions. We propose a notion of differential entropy that captures uncertainty about the state of a system left by the collection of local, finite-time observables. For two-dimensional conformal field theories we use holography and the strong subadditivity of entanglement to propose a formula for differential entropy and show that it precisely reproduces the areas of circular holes in ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{3}$. Extending the notion to field theories on strips with variable durations in time, we show more generally that differential entropy computes the areas of all closed, inhomogeneous curves on a spatial slice of ${\mathrm{AdS}}_{3}$. We discuss the extension to higher-dimensional field theories, the relation of differential entropy to entanglement between scales, and some implications for the emergence of space from the renormalization group flow of entangled field theories.

Dynamics of entanglement entropy from Einstein equation

We study the dynamics of entanglement entropy for weakly excited states in conformal field theories by using the AdS/CFT. This is aimed at a first step to find a counterpart of Einstein equation in the CFT language. In particular, we point out that the entanglement entropy satisfies differential equations which directly correspond to the Einstein equation in several setups of AdS/CFT. We also define a quantity called entanglement density in higher dimensional field theories and study its dynamical property for weakly excited states in conformal field theories.