Local Operator Insertions Research Articles

Bootstrap of the defect 1/2 BPS Wilson lines in N=4 Chern-Simons-matter theories

We compute correlation functions of local operator insertions on the 1/2 Bogomol’nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield Wilson lines of N=4 Chern-Simons-matter theories in three dimensions. We study the algebra preserved by the defect conformal field theory supported on the line, identify the superdisplacement multiplet, and discuss some of its weak-coupling realizations. By employing a superspace description, we present the four-point functions of the superdisplacement and show how they are determined by functions of cross ratios. Within an analytic bootstrap approach, we derive these functions at leading and next-to-leading order at strong coupling, obtaining a result in agreement with appropriate orbifolds of the ABJM case considered in Bianchi [Analytic bootstrap and Witten diagrams for the ABJM Wilson line as defect CFT1, ]. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Beyond AdS2/dCFT1: insertions in two Wilson loops

We consider two-point correlators of local operator insertions in a system of two Wilson-Maldacena loops in N\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ \\mathcal{N} $$\\end{document} = 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 AdS2 regions and in the other phase is given by two disconnected AdS2 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.

The inverse Mellin transform via analytic continuation

We present a method to calculate the x-space expressions of massless or massive operator matrix elements in QCD and QED containing local composite operator insertions, depending on the discrete Mellin index N, directly, without computing the Mellin-space expressions in explicit form analytically. Here N belongs either to the even or odd positive integers. The method is based on the resummation of the operators into effective propagators and relies on an analytic continuation between two continuous variables. We apply it to iterated integrals as well as to the more general case of iterated non-iterative integrals, generalizing the former ones. The x-space expressions are needed to derive the small-x behaviour of the respective quantities, which usually cannot be accessed in N-space. We illustrate the method for different (iterated) alphabets, including non-iterative 2F1 and elliptic structures, as examples. These structures occur in different massless and massive three-loop calculations. Likewise the method applies even to the analytic closed form solutions of more general cases of differential equations which do not factorize into first-order factors.

Bootstrapping the half-BPS line defect CFT in N=4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory at strong coupling

The authors apply bootstrap methods to the half-BPS Wilson line with local operator insertions (defects) in the four-dimensional maximally supersymmetric (N = 4) Yang-Mills theory. They extract analitically the scaling dimension of the lightest non-protected scalar operator to the fourth order in the strong coupling expansion (t'Hooft coupling).

Entanglement of local operators and the butterfly effect

We study the robustness of quantum and classical information to perturbations implemented by local operator insertions. We do this by computing multipartite entanglement measures in the Hilbert space of local operators in the Heisenberg picture. The sensitivity to initial conditions that we explore is an illuminating manifestation of the butterfly effect in quantum many-body systems. We present a ``membrane theory'' in Haar random unitary circuits to compute the mutual information, logarithmic negativity, and reflected entropy in the local operator state by mapping to a classical statistical mechanics problem and find that any local operator insertion delocalizes information as fast as is allowed by causality after taking the large local Hilbert space dimension limit. Identical behavior is found for conformal field theories admitting holographic duals where the bulk geometry is described by the eternal black hole with a local object situated at the horizon. In contrast to these maximal scramblers, only an $O(1)$ amount of information is found to be delocalized by local operators in free fermionic systems and random Clifford circuits.

Defect CFT techniques in the 6d mathcal{N} = (2, 0) theory

Surface operators are among the most important observables of the 6d mathcal{N} = (2, 0) theory. Here we apply the tools of defect CFT to study local operator insertions into the 1/2-BPS plane. We first relate the 2-point function of the displacement operator to the expectation value of the bulk stress tensor and translate this relation into a constraint on the anomaly coefficients associated with the defect. Secondly, we study the defect operator expansion of the stress tensor multiplet and identify several new operators of the defect CFT. Technical results derived along the way include the explicit supersymmetry tranformations of the stress tensor multiplet and the classification of unitary representations of the superconformal algebra preserved by the defect.

Analytic bootstrap and Witten diagrams for the ABJM Wilson line as defect CFT1

We study local operator insertions on 1/2-BPS line defects in ABJM theory. Specifically, we consider a class of four-point correlators in the CFT1 with SU(1, 1|3) super- conformal symmetry defined on the 1/2-BPS Wilson line. The relevant insertions belong to the short supermultiplet containing the displacement operator and correspond to fluctuations of the dual fundamental string in AdS4× ℂP3 ending on the line at the boundary. We use superspace techniques to represent the displacement supermultiplet and we show that superconformal symmetry determines the four-point correlators of its components in terms of a single function of the one-dimensional cross-ratio. Such function is highly constrained by crossing and internal consistency, allowing us to use an analytical bootstrap approach to find the first subleading correction at strong coupling. Finally, we use AdS/CFT to compute the same four-point functions through tree-level AdS2 Witten diagrams, producing a result that is perfectly consistent with the bootstrap solution.

Helicity-dependent generalization of the JIMWLK evolution

We generalize the JIMWLK evolution equation to include the small-$x$ evolution of helicity distributions. To derive helicity JIMWLK, we use the method devised by A.H. Mueller for the usual unpolarized JIMWLK, and apply it to the helicity evolution equations derived earlier. We obtain a functional evolution equation for the generalized JIMWLK weight functional. The functional now is a sum of a helicity-independent term and a helicity-dependent term. The kernel of the new evolution equation consists of the standard eikonal leading-order JIMWLK kernel plus new terms containing derivatives with respect to the sub-eikonal quark and gluon fields. The new kernel we derive can be used to generate the standard JIMWLK evolution and to construct small-$x$ evolution equations for flavor-singlet operators made of any number of light-cone Wilson lines along with one Wilson line containing sub-eikonal helicity-dependent local operator insertions (a "polarized Wilson line").

Nucleon isovector charges and twist-2 matrix elements with Nf=2+1 dynamical Wilson quarks

We present results from a lattice QCD study of nucleon matrix elements at vanishing momentum transfer for local and twist-2 isovector operator insertions. Computations are performed on gauge ensembles with non-perturbatively improved $N_f=2+1$ Wilson fermions, covering four values of the lattice spacing and pion masses down to $M_\pi\approx200$MeV. Several source-sink separations (typically ~1.0fm to ~1.5fm) allow us to assess excited-state contamination. Results on individual ensembles are obtained from simultaneous two-state fits across all observables and all available source-sink separations with the energy gap as a common fit parameter. Renormalization has been performed non-perturbatively using the Rome-Southampton method for all but the finest lattice spacing for which an extrapolation has been used. Physical results are quoted in the $\overline{MS}$ scheme at a scale of $\mu=2$GeV and are obtained from a combined chiral, continuum and finite-size extrapolation. For the nucleon isovector axial, scalar and tensor charges we find physical values of $g_A^{u-d}=1.242(25)_\text{stat}(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{2}{+00}{-31})_\text{sys}$, $g_S^{u-d}=1.13(11)_\text{stat}(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{2}{+07}{-06})_\text{sys}$ and $g_T^{u-d}=0.965(38)_\text{stat}(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{2}{+13}{-41})_\text{sys}$, respectively, where individual systematic errors in each direction from the chiral, continuum and finite-size extrapolation have been added in quadrature. Our final results for the isovector average quark momentum fraction and the isovector helicity and transversity moments are given by $\langle x\rangle_{u-d}=0.180(25)_\text{stat}(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{2}{+14}{-06})_\text{sys}$, $\langle x\rangle_{\Delta u-\Delta d}=0.221(25)_\text{stat}(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{2}{+10}{-00})_\text{sys}$ and $\langle x\rangle_{\delta u-\delta d}=0.212(32)_\text{stat}(\genfrac{}{}{0pt}{2}{+20}{-10})_\text{sys}$, respectively.

Small- x helicity evolution: An operator treatment

We rederive the small-$x$ evolution equations governing quark helicity distribution in a proton using solely an operator-based approach. In our previous works on the subject, the evolution equations were derived using a mix of diagrammatic and operator-based methods. In this work, we re-derive the double-logarithmic small-$x$ evolution equations for quark helicity in terms of the "polarized Wilson lines", the operators consisting of light-cone Wilson lines with one or two non-eikonal local operator insertions which bring in helicity dependence. For the first time we give explicit and complete expressions for the quark and gluon polarized Wilson line operators, including insertions of both the gluon and quark sub-eikonal operators. We show that the double-logarithmic small-$x$ evolution of the "polarized dipole amplitude" operators, made out of regular light-cone Wilson lines along with the polarized ones constructed here, reproduces the equations derived in our earlier works. The method we present here can be used as a template for determining the small-$x$ asymptotics of any transverse momentum-dependent (TMD) quark (or gluon) parton distribution functions (PDFs), and is not limited to helicity.

Half-BPS Wilson loop and AdS2/CFT1

We study correlation functions of local operator insertions on the 1/2-BPS Wilson line in N=4 super Yang–Mills theory. These correlation functions are constrained by the 1d superconformal symmetry preserved by the 1/2-BPS Wilson line and define a defect CFT1 living on the line. At strong coupling, a set of elementary operator insertions with protected scaling dimensions correspond to fluctuations of the dual fundamental string in AdS×5S5 ending on the line at the boundary and can be thought of as light fields propagating on the AdS2 worldsheet. We use AdS/CFT techniques to compute the tree-level AdS2 Witten diagrams describing the strong coupling limit of the four-point functions of the dual operator insertions. Using the OPE, we also extract the leading strong coupling corrections to the anomalous dimensions of the “two-particle” operators built out of elementary excitations. In the case of the circular Wilson loop, we match our results for the 4-point functions of a special type of scalar insertions to the prediction of localization to 2d Yang–Mills theory.

Bremsstrahlung function, leading Lüscher correction at weak coupling and localization

We discuss the near BPS expansion of the generalized cusp anomalous dimension with L units of R-charge. Integrability provides an exact solution, obtained by solving a general TBA equation in the appropriate limit: we propose here an alternative method based on supersymmetric localization. The basic idea is to relate the computation to the vacuum expectation value of certain 1/8 BPS Wilson loops with local operator insertions along the contour. These observables localize on a two-dimensional gauge theory on S^2, opening the possibility of exact calculations. As a test of our proposal, we reproduce the leading Luscher correction at weak coupling to the generalized cusp anomalous dimension. This result is also checked against a genuine Feynman diagram approach in N=4 Super Yang-Mills theory.

Iterated binomial sums and their associated iterated integrals

We consider finite iterated generalized harmonic sums weighted by the binomial \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\binom{2k}{k}$\end{document}2kk in numerators and denominators. A large class of these functions emerges in the calculation of massive Feynman diagrams with local operator insertions starting at 3-loop order in the coupling constant and extends the classes of the nested harmonic, generalized harmonic, and cyclotomic sums. The binomially weighted sums are associated by the Mellin transform to iterated integrals over square-root valued alphabets. The values of the sums for N → ∞ and the iterated integrals at x = 1 lead to new constants, extending the set of special numbers given by the multiple zeta values, the cyclotomic zeta values and special constants which emerge in the limit N → ∞ of generalized harmonic sums. We develop algorithms to obtain the Mellin representations of these sums in a systematic way. They are of importance for the derivation of the asymptotic expansion of these sums and their analytic continuation to \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$N \in \mathbb {C}$\end{document}N∈C. The associated convolution relations are derived for real parameters and can therefore be used in a wider context, as, e.g., for multi-scale processes. We also derive algorithms to transform iterated integrals over root-valued alphabets into binomial sums. Using generating functions we study a few aspects of infinite (inverse) binomial sums.

Modern Summation Methods for Loop Integrals in Quantum Field Theory: The Packages Sigma, EvaluateMultiSums and SumProduction

A large class of Feynman integrals, like e.g., two-point parameter integrals with at most one mass and containing local operator insertions, can be transformed to multi-sums over hypergeometric expressions. In this survey article we present a difference field approach for symbolic summation that enables one to simplify such definite nested sums to indefinite nested sums. In particular, the simplification is given -if possible- in terms of harmonic sums, generalized harmonic sums, cyclotomic harmonic sums or binomial sums. Special emphasis is put on the developed Mathematica packages Sigma, EvaluateMultiSums and SumProduction that assist in the task to perform these simplifications completely automatically for huge input expressions.

Calculating massive 3-loop graphs for operator matrix elements by the method of hyperlogarithms

We calculate convergent 3-loop Feynman diagrams containing a single massive loop equipped with twist τ=2 local operator insertions corresponding to spin N. They contribute to the massive operator matrix elements in QCD describing the massive Wilson coefficients for deep-inelastic scattering at large virtualities. Diagrams of this kind can be computed using an extended version of the method of hyperlogarithms, originally being designed for massless Feynman diagrams without operators. The method is applied to Benz- and V-type graphs, belonging to the genuine 3-loop topologies. In case of the V-type graphs with five massive propagators, new types of nested sums and iterated integrals emerge. The sums are given in terms of finite binomially and inverse binomially weighted generalized cyclotomic sums, while the 1-dimensionally iterated integrals are based on a set of ∼30 square-root valued letters. We also derive the asymptotic representations of the nested sums and present the solution for N∈C. Integrals with a power-like divergence in N-space ∝aN,a∈R,a>1, for large values of N emerge. They still possess a representation in x-space, which is given in terms of root-valued iterated integrals in the present case. The method of hyperlogarithms is also used to calculate higher moments for crossed box graphs with different operator insertions.

A semiclassical string description of Wilson loop with local operators

We discuss a semiclassical string description to circular Wilson loops without/with local operator insertions. Type IIB string theory on AdS 5 × S 5 is expanded around the corresponding classical solutions with respect to fluctuations and semiclassical quadratic actions are computed. Then the dual corresponding operators describing the fluctuations are discussed from the point of view of a small deformation of the Wilson loops. The result gives new evidence for AdS/CFT correspondence.

Holography of Wilson-loop expectation values with local operator insertions

We study the expectation values of Wilson-loop operators with the insertionsof local operators Z^J and Zbar^J with large R-charge J from the bulk viewpoint of AdS/CFT correspondence. Classical solutions of strings attached to such deformed Wilson loops at the conformal boundary are constructed and are applied to the computation of Wilson-loop expectation values. We argue that in order to have such solutions for general insertions at finite positions in the base spacetime of the gauge theory, it is crucial to interpret the holographic correspondence in the semi-classical picture as a tunneling phenomenon, as has been previously established for holographic computations of correlators of BMN operators. This also requires to use the Euclideanized AdS background and Euclidean super Yang-Mills theory.

Wedge states in string field theory

The wedge states form an important subalgebra in the string field theory. We review and further investigate their various properties. We find in particular a novel expression for the wedge states, which allows to understand their star products purely algebraically. The method allows also for treating the matter and ghost sectors separately. It turns out, that wedge states with different matter and ghost parts violate the associativity of the algebra. We introduce and study also wedge states with insertions of local operators and show how they are useful for obtaining exact results about convergence of level truncation calculations. These results help to clarify the issue of anomalies related to the identity and some exterior derivations in the string field algebra.

On the operator product expansion in noncommutative quantum field theory

Motivated by the mixing of UV and IR effects, we test the OPE formula in noncommutative field theory. First we look at the renormalization of local composite operators, identifying some of their characteristic IR/UV singularities. Then we find that the product of two fields in general cannot be described by a series expansion of single local operator insertions.

TWISTING OF N=1 SUSY GAUGE THEORIES AND HETEROTIC TOPOLOGICAL THEORIES

It is shown that D=4N=1 SUSY Yang-Mills theory with an appropriate supermultiplet of matter can be twisted on a compact Kähler manifold. The conditions for cancellation of anomalies of BRST charge are found. The twisted theory has an appropriate BRST charge. We find a nontrivial set of physical operators defined as classes of the cohomology of this BRST operator. We prove that the physical correlators are independent of the external Kähler metric up to a power of a ratio of two Ray-Singer torsions for the Dolbeault cohomology complex on a Kähler manifold. The correlators of local physical operators turn out to be independent of antiholomorphic coordinates defined with a complex structure on the Kähler manifold. However, a dependence of the correlators on holomorphic coordinates can still remain. For a hyper-Kähler metric the physical correlators turn out to be independent of all coordinates of insertions of local physical operators.