No Arabic abstract
We introduce a bosonic ambitwistor string theory in AdS space. Even though the theory is anomalous at the quantum level, one can nevertheless use it in the classical limit to derive a novel formula for correlation functions of boundary CFT operators in arbitrary space-time dimensions. The resulting construction can be treated as a natural extension of the CHY formalism for the flat-space S-matrix, as it similarly expresses tree-level amplitudes in AdS as integrals over the moduli space of Riemann spheres with punctures. These integrals localize on an operator-valued version of scattering equations, which we derive directly from the ambitwistor string action on a coset manifold. As a testing ground for this formalism we focus on the simplest case of ambitwistor string coupled to two current algebras, which gives bi-adjoint scalar correlators in AdS. In order to evaluate them directly, we make use of a series of contour deformations on the moduli space of punctured Riemann spheres and check that the result agrees with tree level Witten diagram computations to all multiplicity. We also initiate the study of eigenfunctions of scattering equations in AdS, which interpolate between conformal partial waves in different OPE channels, and point out a connection to an elliptic deformation of the Calogero-Sutherland model.
The non-renormalization of the 3-point functions $tr X^{k_1} tr X^{k_2} tr X^{k_3}$ of chiral primary operators in N=4 super-Yang-Mills theory is one of the most striking facts to emerge from the AdS/CFT correspondence. A two-fold puzzle appears in the extremal case, e.g. k_1 = k_2 + k_3. First, the supergravity calculation involves analytic continuation in the k_i variables to define the product of a vanishing bulk coupling and an infinite integral over AdS. Second, extremal correlators are uniquely sensitive to mixing of the single-trace operators $tr X^k$ with protected multi-trace operators in the same representation of SU(4). We show that the calculation of extremal correlators from supergravity is subject to the same subtlety of regularization known for the 2-point functions, and we present a careful method which justifies the analytic continuation and shows that supergravity fields couple to single traces without admixture. We also study extremal n-point functions of chiral primary operators, and argue that Type IIB supergravity requires that their space-time form is a product of n-1 two-point functions (as in the free field approximation) multiplied by a non-renormalized coefficient. This non-renormalization property of extremal n-point functions is a new prediction of the AdS/CFT correspondence. As a byproduct of this work we obtain the cubic couplings $t phi phi$ and $s phi phi$ of fields in the dilaton and 5-sphere graviton towers of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5 times S^5$.
In this talk, we review our recent work on direct evaluation of tree-level MHV amplitudes by Cachazo-He-Yuan (CHY) formula. We also investigate the correspondence between solutions to scattering equations and amplitudes in four dimensions along this line. By substituting the MHV solution of scattering equations into the integrated CHY formula, we explicitly calculate the tree-level MHV amplitudes for four dimensional Yang-Mills theory and gravity. These results naturally reproduce the Parke-Taylor and Hodges formulas. In addition, we derive a new compact formula for tree-level single-trace MHV amplitudes in Einstein-Yang-Mills theory, which is equivalent to the known Selivanov-Bern-De Freitas-Wong (SBDW) formula. Other solutions do not contribute to the MHV amplitudes in Yang-Mills theory, gravity and Einstein-Yang-Mills theory. We further investigate the correspondence between solutions of scattering equation and helicity configurations beyond MHV and proposed a method for characterizing solutions of scattering equations.
What is the dimension of spacetime? We address this question in the context of the AdS/CFT Correspondence. We give a prescription for computing the number of large bulk dimensions, $D$, from strongly-coupled CFT$_d$ data, where large means parametrically of order the AdS scale. The idea is that unitarity of 1-loop AdS amplitudes, dual to non-planar CFT correlators, fixes $D$ in terms of tree-level data. We make this observation rigorous by deriving a positive-definite sum rule for the 1-loop double-discontinuity in the flat space/bulk-point limit. This enables us to prove an array of AdS/CFT folklore, and to infer new properties of large $N$ CFTs at strong coupling that ensure consistency of emergent large extra dimensions with string/M-theory. We discover an OPE universality at the string scale: to leading order in large $N$, heavy-heavy-light three-point functions, with heavy operators that are parametrically lighter than a power of $N$, are linear in the heavy conformal dimension. We explore its consequences for supersymmetric CFTs and explain how emergent large extra dimensions relate to a Sublattice Weak Gravity Conjecture for CFTs. Lastly, we conjecture, building on a claim of arXiv:0908.0756, that any CFT with large higher-spin gap and no global symmetries has a holographic hierarchy: $D=d+1$
We study periodically driven scalar fields and the resulting geometries with global AdS asymptotics. These solutions describe the strongly coupled dynamics of dual finite-size quantum systems under a periodic driving which we interpret as Floquet condensates. They span a continuous two-parameter space that extends the linearized solutions on AdS. We map the regions of stability in the solution space. In a significant portion of the unstable subspace, two very different endpoints are reached depending upon the sign of the perturbation. Collapse into a black hole occurs for one sign. For the opposite sign instead one attains a regular solution with periodic modulation. We also construct quenches where the driving frequency and amplitude are continuously varied. Quasistatic quenches can interpolate between pure AdS and sourced solutions with time periodic vev. By suitably choosing the quasistatic path one can obtain boson stars dual to Floquet condensates at zero driving field. We characterize the adiabaticity of the quenching processes. Besides, we speculate on the possible connections of this framework with time crystals.
We use the AdS/CFT correspondence in a regime in which the field theory reduces to fluid dynamics to construct an infinite class of new black objects in Scherk-Schwarz compactified AdS(d+2) space. Our configurations are dual to black objects that generalize black rings and have horizon topology S^(d-n) x T^n, for n less than or equal to (d-1)/2. Locally our fluid configurations are plasma sheets that curve around into tori whose radii are large compared to the thickness of the sheets (the ratio of these radii constitutes a small parameter that permits the perturbative construction of these configurations). These toroidal configurations are stabilized by angular momentum. We study solutions whose dual horizon topologies are S^3 x S^1, S^4 x S^1 and S^3 x T^2 in detail; in particular we investigate the thermodynamic properties of these objects. We also present a formal general construction of the most general stationary configuration of fluids with boundaries that solve the d-dimensional relativistic Navier-Stokes equation.