Supersymmetric Conformal Field Theories Research Articles

Loop groups and noncommutative geometry

We describe the representation theory of loop groups in terms of K-theory and noncommutative geometry. This is done by constructing suitable spectral triples associated with the level [Formula: see text] projective unitary positive-energy representations of any given loop group [Formula: see text]. The construction is based on certain supersymmetric conformal field theory models associated with [Formula: see text] in the setting of conformal nets. We then generalize the construction to many other rational chiral conformal field theory models including coset models and the moonshine conformal net.

Can we change c in four-dimensional CFTs by exactly marginal deformations?

There is no known obstructions, but we have not been aware of any concrete examples, either. The Wess-Zumino consistency condition for the conformal anomaly says that a cannot change but does not say anything about c. In supersymmetric models, both a and c are determined from the triangle t’Hooft anomalies and the unitarity demands that both must be fixed, so the unitary supersymmetric conformal field theories do not admit such a possibility. Given this field theory situation, we construct an effective AdS/CFT model without supersymmetry in which c changes under exactly marginal deformations.

Spin-2 spectrum of six-dimensional field theories

We analyze the mass spectrum of spin-2 excitations around the gravity duals of "linear quiver" supersymmetric conformal field theories (SCFT's) in six dimensions. We show that for the entire family of gravity solutions it satisfies a bound which corresponds to a unitarity bound for the scaling dimension of the dual field theory operators. We determine the masses of excitations which belong to short multiplets, and for certain gravity solutions we obtain the Kaluza-Klein modes and the corresponding mass spectrum, fully and explicitly. Finally, we discuss an intuitive picture of the dual operators in terms of the effective descriptions of the SCFT's.

Yukawa conformal field theories and emergent supersymmetry

We study conformal field theories (CFTs) with Yukawa interactions in dimensions between 2 and 4; they provide UV completions of the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio and Gross–Neveu models which have four-fermion interactions. We compute the sphere free energy and certain operator scaling dimensions using dimensional continuation. In the Gross–Neveu CFT with N fermion degrees of freedom we obtain the first few terms in the 4−ϵ expansion using the Gross–Neveu–Yukawa model, and the first few terms in the 2+ϵ expansion using the four-fermion interaction. We then apply Pade approximants to produce estimates in d=3. For N=1, which corresponds to one two-component Majorana fermion, it has been suggested that the Yukawa theory flows to an N=1 supersymmetric CFT. We provide new evidence that the 4−ϵ expansion of the N=1 Gross–Neveu–Yukawa model respects the supersymmetry. Our extrapolations to d=3 appear to be in good agreement with the available results obtained using the numerical conformal bootstrap. Continuation of this CFT to d=2 provides evidence that the Yukawa theory flows to the tri-critical Ising model. We apply a similar approach to calculate the sphere free energy and operator scaling dimensions in the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio–Yukawa model, which has an additional U(1) global symmetry. For N=2, which corresponds to one two-component Dirac fermion, this theory has an emergent supersymmetry with four supercharges, and we provide new evidence for this.

Spinon bases in supersymmetric CFTs

We present a novel way to organise the finite size spectra of a class of conformal field theories (CFT) with or (nonlinear) superconformal symmetry. Generalising the spinon basis of the WZW theories, we introduce supersymmetric spinons , which form a representation of the supersymmetry algebra. In each case, we show how to construct a multi-spinon basis of the chiral CFT spectra. The multi-spinon states are labelled by a collection of (discrete) momenta. The state-content for given choice of is determined through a generalised exclusion principle, similar to Haldane's ‘motif’ rules for the theories. In the simplest case, which is the superconformal theory with central charge c = 1, we develop an algebraic framework similar to the Yangian symmetry of the theory. It includes an operator H2, akin to a CFT Haldane–Shastry Hamiltonian, which is diagonalised by multi-spinon states. In all cases studied, we obtain finite partition sums by capping the spinon-momenta to some finite value. For the superconformal CFTs, this finitisation precisely leads to the so-called Mk supersymmetric lattice models with characteristic order-k exclusion rules on the lattice. Finitising the c = 2 CFT with nonlinear superconformal symmetry similarly gives lattice model partition sums for spin-full Fermions with on-site and nearest neighbour exclusion.

Elliptic Genera and 3d Gravity

We describe general constraints on the elliptic genus of a 2d supersymmetric conformal field theory which has a gravity dual with large radius in Planck units. We give examples of theories which do and do not satisfy the bounds we derive, by describing the elliptic genera of symmetric product orbifolds of $K3$, product manifolds, certain simple families of Calabi-Yau hypersurfaces, and symmetric products of the "Monster CFT." We discuss the distinction between theories with supergravity duals and those whose duals have strings at the scale set by the AdS curvature. Under natural assumptions we attempt to quantify the fraction of (2,2) supersymmetric conformal theories which admit a weakly curved gravity description, at large central charge.

The Casimir energy in curved space and its supersymmetric counterpart

We study d-dimensional Conformal Field Theories (CFTs) on the cylinder, $$ {S}^{d-1}\times \mathrm{\mathbb{R}} $$ , and its deformations. In d = 2 the Casimir energy (i.e. the vacuum energy) is universal and is related to the central charge c. In d = 4 the vacuum energy depends on the regularization scheme and has no intrinsic value. We show that this property extends to infinitesimally deformed cylinders and support this conclusion with a holographic check. However, for $$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$ supersymmetric CFTs, a natural analog of the Casimir energy turns out to be scheme independent and thus intrinsic. We give two proofs of this result. We compute the Casimir energy for such theories by reducing to a problem in supersymmetric quantum mechanics. For the round cylinder the vacuum energy is proportional to a + 3c. We also compute the dependence of the Casimir energy on the squashing parameter of the cylinder. Finally, we revisit the problem of supersymmetric regularization of the path integral on Hopf surfaces.

Deformed twistors and higher spin conformal (super-)algebras in four dimensions

Massless conformal scalar field in six dimensions corresponds to the minimal unitary representation (minrep) of the conformal group SO(6,2). This minrep admits a family of deformations labelled by the spin t of an SU(2)_T group, which is the 6d analog of helicity in four dimensions. These deformations of the minrep of SO(6,2) describe massless conformal fields that are symmetric tensors in the spinorial representation of the 6d Lorentz group. The minrep and its deformations were obtained by quantization of the nonlinear realization of SO(6,2) as a quasiconformal group in arXiv:1005.3580. We give a novel reformulation of the generators of SO(6,2) for these representations as bilinears of deformed twistorial oscillators which transform nonlinearly under the Lorentz group SO(5,1) and apply them to define higher spin algebras and superalgebras in AdS_7. The higher spin (HS) algebra of Fradkin-Vasiliev type in AdS_7 is simply the enveloping algebra of SO(6,2) quotiented by a two-sided ideal (Joseph ideal) which annihilates the minrep. We show that the Joseph ideal vanishes identically for the quasiconformal realization of the minrep and its enveloping algebra leads directly to the HS algebra in AdS_7. Furthermore, the enveloping algebras of the deformations of the minrep define a discrete infinite family of HS algebras in AdS_7 for which certain 6d Lorentz covariant deformations of the Joseph ideal vanish identically. These results extend to superconformal algebras OSp(8*|2N) and we find a discrete infinite family of HS superalgebras as enveloping algebras of the minimal unitary supermultiplet and its deformations. Our results suggest the existence of a discrete family of (supersymmetric) HS theories in AdS_7 which are dual to free (super)conformal field theories (CFTs) or to interacting but integrable (supersymmetric) CFTs in 6d.

Sphere partition functions and the Zamolodchikov metric

We study the finite part of the sphere partition function of d-dimensional Conformal Field Theories (CFTs) as a function of exactly marginal couplings. In odd dimensions, this quantity is physical and independent of the exactly marginal couplings. In even dimensions, this object is generally regularization scheme dependent and thus unphysical. However, in the presence of additional symmetries, the partition function of even-dimensional CFTs can become physical. For two-dimensional N=(2,2) supersymmetric CFTs, the continuum partition function exists and computes the Kahler potential on the chiral and twisted chiral superconformal manifolds. We provide a new elementary proof of this result using Ward identities on the sphere. The Kahler transformation ambiguity is identified with a local term in the corresponding N=(2,2) supergravity theory. We derive an analogous, new, result in the case of four-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric CFTs: the S^4 partition function computes the Kahler potential on the superconformal manifold. Finally, we show that N=1 supersymmetry in four dimensions and N=(1,1) supersymmetry in two dimensions are not sufficient to make the corresponding sphere partition functions well-defined functions of the exactly marginal parameters.

Deformed twistors and higher spin conformal (super-)algebras in six dimensions

Massless conformal scalar field in six dimensions corresponds to the minimal unitary representation (minrep) of the conformal group SO(6,2). This minrep admits a family of labelled by the spin t of an SU(2)T group, which is the 6d analog of helicity in four dimensions. These deformations of the minrep of SO(6,2) describe massless conformal fields that are symmetric tensors in the spinorial representation of the 6d Lorentz group. The minrep and its deformations were obtained by quantization of the nonlinear realization of SO(6,2) as a quasiconformal group in arXiv:1005.3580. We give a novel reformulation of the generators of SO(6,2) for these representations as bilinears of deformed twistorial oscillators which transform nonlinearly under the Lorentz group SO(5,1) and apply them to define higher spin algebras and superalgebras in AdS7. The higher spin (HS) algebra of Fradkin-Vasiliev type in AdS7 is simply the enveloping algebra of SO(6,2) quotiented by a two-sided ideal (Joseph ideal) which annihilates the minrep. We show that the Joseph ideal vanishes identically for the quasiconformal realization of the minrep and its enveloping algebra leads directly to the HS algebra in AdS7. Furthermore, the enveloping algebras of the deformations of the minrep define a discrete infinite family of HS algebras in AdS7 for which certain 6d Lorentz covariant deformations of the Joseph ideal vanish identically. These results extend to superconformal algebras OSp(8 ∗ |2N) and we find a discrete infinite family of HS superalgebras as enveloping algebras of the minimal unitary supermultiplet and its deformations. Our results suggest the existence of a discrete family of (supersymmetric) HS theories in AdS7 which are dual to free (super)conformal field theories (CFTs) or to interacting but integrable (supersymmetric) CFTs in 6d.

Three-dimensional SCFT on conic space as hologram of charged topological black hole

We construct three-dimensional N=2 supersymmetric conformal field theories on conic spaces. Built upon the fact that the partition function depends solely on the Reeb vector of the Killing vector, we propose that holographic dual of these theories are four-dimensional, supersymmetric charged topological black holes. With the supersymmetry localization technique, we study conserved supercharges, free energy, and Renyi entropy. At planar large N limit, we demonstrate perfect agreement between the superconformal field theories and the supersymmetric charged topological black holes.

Emergence of supersymmetry on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators

We propose two possible experimental realizations of a (2 + 1)-dimensional spacetime supersymmetry at a quantum critical point on the surface of three-dimensional topological insulators. The quantum critical point between the semi-metallic state with one Dirac fermion and the s-wave superconducting state on the surface is described by a supersymmetric conformal field theory within the ϵ-expansion. We predict the exact voltage dependence of the differential conductance at the supersymmetric critical point.

Comments on F-maximization and R-symmetry in 3D SCFTs

We report preliminary results on the recently proposed F-maximization principle in 3D supersymmetric conformal field theories. We compute numerically in the large-N limit the free energy on the three-sphere of an Chern–Simons-matter theory with a single adjoint chiral superfield which is known to exhibit a pattern of accidental symmetries associated with chiral superfields that hit the unitarity bound and become free. We observe that the F-maximization principle produces a U(1) R-symmetry consistent with previously obtained bounds but inconsistent with a postulated Seiberg-like duality. Potential modifications of the principle associated with the decoupling fields do not appear to be sufficient to account for the observed violations.

Lovelock theories, holography and the fate of the viscosity bound

We consider Lovelock theories of gravity in the context of AdS/CFT. We show that, for these theories, causality violation on a black hole background can occur well in the interior of the geometry, thus posing more stringent constraints than were previously found in the literature. Also, we find that instabilities of the geometry can appear for certain parameter values at any point in the geometry, as well in the bulk as close to the horizon. These new sources of causality violation and instability should be related to CFT features that do not depend on the UV behavior. They solve a puzzle found previously concerning unphysical negative values for the shear viscosity that are not ruled out solely by causality restrictions. We find that, contrary to previous expectations, causality violation is not always related to positivity of energy. Furthermore, we compute the bound for the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio of supersymmetric conformal field theories from d = 4 till d = 10 — i.e., up to quartic Lovelock theory –, and find that it behaves smoothly as a function of d. We propose an approximate formula that nicely fits these values and has a nice asymptotic behavior when d → ∞ for any Lovelock gravity. We discuss in some detail the latter limit. We finally argue that it is possible to obtain increasingly lower values for η/s by the inclusion of more Lovelock terms.

Unraveling AdS/CFT

In this review, I survey the conjectured correspondence between a string theory in ten dimensions and certain supersymmetric gauge theories in four. This duality has recently garnered considerable attention from scientists studying the hot matter produced in heavy-ion collisions. An important and immediate question is to what extent one can hope to describe the dynamics of the quark–gluon plasma in a supersymmetric conformal field theory. Here I explain recent applications of the AdS/CFT correspondence to the strongly interacting matter produced at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Progress in characterizing the medium with these techniques will be discussed, as well as limitations inherent to the method.

𝒩 = 8 superconformal Chern-Simons theories

A Lagrangian description of a maximally supersymmetric conformal field theory in three dimensions was constructed recently by Bagger and Lambert (BL). The BL theory has SO(4) gauge symmetry and contains scalar and spinor fields that transform as 4-vectors. We verify that this theory has OSp(8|4) superconformal symmetry and that it is parity conserving despite the fact that it contains a Chern-Simons term. We describe several unsuccessful attempts to construct theories of this type for other gauge groups and representations. This experience leads us to conjecture the uniqueness of the BL theory. Given its large symmetry, we expect this theory to play a significant role in the future development of string theory and M-theory.

Theory of the Nernst effect near quantum phase transitions in condensed matter and in dyonic black holes

We present a general hydrodynamic theory of transport in the vicinity of superfluid-insulator transitions in two spatial dimensions described by ``Lorentz''-invariant quantum critical points. We allow for a weak impurity scattering rate, a magnetic field $B$, and a deviation in the density $\ensuremath{\rho}$ from that of the insulator. We show that the frequency-dependent thermal and electric linear response functions, including the Nernst coefficient, are fully determined by a single transport coefficient (a universal electrical conductivity), the impurity scattering rate, and a few thermodynamic state variables. With reasonable estimates for the parameters, our results predict a magnetic field and temperature dependence of the Nernst signal which resembles measurements in the cuprates, including the overall magnitude. Our theory predicts a ``hydrodynamic cyclotron mode'' which could be observable in ultrapure samples. We also present exact results for the zero frequency transport coefficients of a supersymmetric conformal field theory (CFT), which is solvable by the anti--de Sitter (AdS)/CFT correspondence. This correspondence maps the $\ensuremath{\rho}$ and $B$ perturbations of the $2+1$ dimensional CFT to electric and magnetic charges of a black hole in the $3+1$ dimensional anti--de Sitter space. These exact results are found to be in full agreement with the general predictions of our hydrodynamic analysis in the appropriate limiting regime. The mapping of the hydrodynamic and AdS/CFT results under particle-vortex duality is also described.

Scaling functions fromq-deformed Virasoro characters

We propose a renormalization group scaling function which is constructed from q-deformed fermionic versions of Virasoro characters. By comparison with alternative methods, which take their starting point in the massive theories, we demonstrate that these new functions contain qualitatively the same information. We show that these functions allow for RG-flows not only amongst members of a particular series of conformal field theories, but also between different series such as N=0,1,2 supersymmetric conformal field theories. We provide a detailed analysis of how Weyl characters may be utilized in order to solve various recurrence relations emerging at the fixed points of these flows. The q-deformed Virasoro characters allow furthermore for the construction of particle spectra, which involve unstable pseudo-particles.

TWO-DIMENSIONAL FRACTIONAL SUPERSYMMETRIC CONFORMAL FIELD THEORIES AND THE TWO-POINT FUNCTIONS

A general two-dimensional fractional supersymmetric conformal field theory is investigated. The structure of the symmetries of the theory is studied. Then, applying the generators of the closed subalgebra generated by (L-1,L0,G-1/3) and [Formula: see text], the two-point functions of the component fields of supermultiplets are calculated.

Logarithmic two dimensional spin-1/3 fractional supersymmetric conformal field theories and the two-point functions

Logarithmic spin-1/3 superconformal field theories are investigated. the chiral and full two-point functions of two-(or more-) dimensional Jordanian blocks of arbitrary weights, are obtained.