Gravitational theories do not admit gauge invariant local operators. We study the limits under which there exists a quasi-local description for a class of non-local gravitational observables where a sum over worldlines plays the role of the Wilson line for gauge theory observables. We study non-local corrections to the local description and circumstances where these corrections become large. We find that these operators are quasi-local in flat space and AdS, but fail to be quasi-local in de Sitter space.
Using the worldline formalism of the Dirac field with a non-Abelian gauge symmetry we show how to describe the matter field transforming in an arbitrary representation of the gauge group. Colour degrees of freedom are carried on the worldline by auxiliary fields, responsible for providing path ordering and the Wilson-loop coupling. The Hilbert space of these fields is reducible but we make use of recent work in order to project onto a single, arbitrary, irreducible representation. By functionally quantising the resulting theory we show that this procedure correctly generates the Wilson-loop in…
We develop a model for hadrons in the framework of the worldline formalism. While being based wholly in four-dimensional quantum field theory, it shares many features with holographic approaches: Already by the use of the worldline formalism the approach appears intrinsically quantum mechanical. As auxiliary fifth dimension Schwinger's proper time is grouped with the physical four spacetime dimensions into an AdS5 geometry, which is warped due to conformal-symmetry breaking effects. Hidden local symmetry is emergent. The four-dimensional sources are extended to five-dimensional fields by a Wil…
We give an overview of the worldline numerics technique, and discuss the parallel CUDA implementation of a worldline numerics algorithm. In the worldline numerics technique, we wish to generate an ensemble of representative closed-loop particle trajectories, and use these to compute an approximate average value for Wilson loops. We show how this can be done with a specific emphasis on cylindrically symmetric magnetic fields. The fine-grained, massive parallelism provided by the GPU architecture results in considerable speedup in computing Wilson loop averages. Furthermore, we give a brief over…
We develop a method to compute the one-loop effective action of noncommutative U(1) gauge theory based on the bosonic worldline formalism, and derive compact expressions for N-point 1PI amplitudes. The method, resembling perturbative string computations, shows that open Wilson lines emerge as a gauge invariant completion of certain terms in the effective action. The terms involving open Wilson lines are of the form reminiscent of closed string exchanges between the states living on the two boundaries of a cylinder. They are also consistent with recent matrix theory analysis and the results fro…
The all-order structure of scattering amplitudes is greatly simplified by the use of Wilson line operators, describing eikonal emissions from straight lines extending to infinity. A generalization at subleading powers in the eikonal expansion, known as Generalized Wilson Line (GWL), has been proposed some time ago, and has been applied both in QCD phenomenology and in the high energy limits of gravitational amplitudes. In this paper we revisit the construction of the scalar gravitational GWL starting from first principles in the worldline formalism. We identify the correct Hamiltonian that lea…
In the worldline approach to non-Abelian field theory the colour degrees of freedom of the coupling to the gauge potential can be incorporated using worldline "colour" fields. The colour fields generate Wilson loop interactions whilst Chern-Simons terms project onto an irreducible representation of the gauge group. We analyse this augmented worldline theory in phase space focusing on its supersymmetry and constraint algebra, arriving at a locally supersymmetric theory in superspace. We demonstrate canonical quantisation and the path integral on $S^{1}$ for simple representations of $SU(N)$.
This report attempts to capture the essential workings of gauge links (Wilson lines) inside gauge-invariant formulations of parton distribution functions in QCD and gain some deeper insight into their key (renormalization) properties. We show, in particular, that the one-loop anomalous dimension of the Cherednikov-Stefanis quark TMD PDF is in the lightcone gauge $A^+=0$, combined with the Mandelstam--Leibbrandt pole prescription, the same as that obtained in the special covariant gauge $a=-3$, leaving no uncanceled rapidity singularities.
We study the process, within classical general relativity, in which an incident gravitational plane wave, of weak amplitude and long wavelength, scatters off a massive spinning compact object, such as a black hole or neutron star. The amplitude of the asymptotic scattered wave, considered here at linear order in Newton's constant $G$ while at higher orders in the object's multipole expansion, is a valuable characterization of the response of the object to external gravitational fields. This amplitude coincides with a classical ($\hbar\to0$) limit of a quantum 4-point (object and graviton in, o…
We explore unified field theories based on the gauge groups $SU(5)$ and $SO(10)$ using the worldline approach for chiral fermions with a Wilson loop coupling to a background gauge field. Representing path ordering and chiral projection operators with functional integrals has previously reproduced the sum over the chiralities and representations of standard model particles in a compact way. This paper shows that for $SU(5)$ the $\bar{\mathbf{5}}$ and $\mathbf{10}$ representations -- into which the Georgi-Glashow model places the left-handed fermionic content of the standard model -- appear natu…
Efficient methods for describing non abelian charges in worldline approaches to QFT are useful to simplify calculations and address structural properties, as for example color/kinematics relations. Here we analyze in detail a method for treating arbitrary non abelian charges. We use Grassmann variables to take into account color degrees of freedom, which however are known to produce reducible representations of the color group. Then we couple them to a U(1) gauge field defined on the worldline, together with a Chern-Simons term, to achieve projection on an irreducible representation. Upon gaug…
We discuss the Bosonic sector of a class of supersymmetric non-Lorentzian five-dimensional gauge field theories with an $SU(1,3)$ conformal symmetry. These actions have a Lagrange multiplier which imposes a novel $Ω$-deformed anti-self-dual gauge field constraint. Using a generalised 't Hooft ansatz we find the constraint equation linearizes allowing us to construct a wide class of explicit solutions. These include finite action configurations that describe worldlines of anti-instantons which can be created and annihilated. We also describe the dynamics on the constraint surface.
Conformal higher spin (CHS) fields, despite being non unitary, provide a remarkable example of a consistent interacting higher spin theory in flat space background, that is local to all orders. The non-linear action is defined as the logarithmically UV divergent part of a one-loop scalar effective action. In this paper we take a particle model, that describes the interaction of a scalar particle to the CHS background, and compute its path integral on the circle. We thus provide a worldline representation for the CHS action, and rederive its quadratic part. We plan to come back to the subject, …
Worldline Formulations of Covariant Fracton Theories
Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “Augusto Righi”, Università di Bologna（博洛尼亚大学物理与天文系）；INFN, Sezione di Bologna（意大利国家核物理研究所博洛尼亚分部）；Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia “Galileo Galilei”, Università di Padova（帕多瓦大学物理与天文系）；INFN, Sezione di Padova（意大利国家核物理研究所帕多瓦分部）
Gravitational Compton scattering at the fifth post-Minkowskian order
Scuola Normale Superiore（高等师范学校）；INFN Sezione di Pisa（意大利国家核物理研究所比萨分部）；Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Padova（帕多瓦大学物理与天文学系）；INFN, Sezione di Padova（意大利国家核物理研究所帕多瓦分部）；Higgs Centre for Theoretical Physics, University of Edinburgh（爱丁堡大学希格斯理论物理中心）
We develop a unified framework for the construction of soft dressings at boundaries of spacetime, such as the null infinity of Minkowski spacetime and the horizon of a Schwarzschild black hole. The construction is based on an old proposal of Mandelstam for quantizing QED and considers matter fields dressed by Wilson lines. Along time-like paths, the Wilson lines puncturing the boundary are the analogs of flat space Faddeev-Kulish dressings. We focus on the Schwarzschild black hole where our framework provides a quantum-field-theoretical perspective of the Hawking-Perry-Strominger viewpoint tha…
We study the propagator of a colored scalar particle in the background of a non-abelian gauge field using the worldline formalism. It is obtained by considering the open worldline of a scalar particle with extra degrees of freedom needed to take into account the color charge of the particle, which we choose to be in the fundamental representation of the gauge group. Specializing the external gauge field to be given by a sum of plane waves, i.e. a sum of external gluons, we produce a master formula for the scalar propagator with an arbitrary number of gluons directly attached to the scalar line…
We study the Wilson line response in the holographic superconducting phase transitions in Gauss-Bonnet gravity. In the black brane background case, the Little-Parks periodicity is independent of the Gauss-Bonnet parameter, while in the AdS soliton case, there is no evidence for the Little-Parks periodicity. We further study the impact of the Gauss-Bonnet term on the holographic phase transitions quantitatively. The results show that such quantum corrections can effectively affect the occurrence of the phase transitions and the response to the Wilson line.
We consider the world-line quantisation of a system invariant under the symmetries of reciprocal relativity. Imposition of the first class constraint, the generator of local time reparametrisations, on physical states enforces identification of the world-line cosmological constant with a fixed value of the quadratic Casimir of the quaplectic symmetry group Q(3,1) ~ U(3,1) x H(4), the semi-direct product of the pseudo-unitary group with the Weyl-Heisenberg group. In our previous paper, J Phys A 40 (2007) 12095--12111, the `spin' degrees of freedom were handled as covariant oscillators, leading …
We make use of product integrals to provide an unambiguous mathematical representation of Wilson line and Wilson loop operators. Then, drawing upon various properties of product integrals, we discuss such properties of these operators as approximating them with partial sums, their convergence, and their behavior under gauge transformations. We also obtain a surface product integral representation for the Wilson loop operator. The result can be interpreted as the non-abelian version of Stokes theorem.
Critical values of Wilson lines and general background fields for toroidal compactifications of heterotic string theories are constructed systematically using Dynkin diagrams.
We develop a matrix model for the SO(32) Heterotic string with certain Wilson lines on the lightlike circle. This is done by using appropriate T-dualities. The method works for an infinite number of Wilson lines, but not for all. The matrix model is the theory on the D-string of type I wrapped on a circle with a SO(32) Wilson line on the circle. The radius of the circle depends on the Wilson line. This is a 1+1 dimensional O(N) theory on a circle. N depends not only on the momentum around the lightlike circle but also on the winding and SO(32) quantum numbers of the state. Perspectives for obt…
We identify the untwisted moduli of heterotic orbifold compactifications for the case, when the gauge twist is realized by a rotation. The Wilson lines are found to have both continuous and discrete parts. For the case of the standard Z(3) orbifold we classify all possibilities of breaking the gauge group E(6) times SU(3) by nine of the eighteen Wilson moduli and by additional discrete Wilson lines.
The construction of gravitational Wilson lines in the Chern-Simons formulation of $AdS_3$ gravity in terms of composite operators in the dual boundary conformal field theory is reviewed. New evidence is presented that the Wilson line, dimensionally regularized and suitably renormalized, behaves as a bi-local operator of two conformal primaries whose dimension is predicted by SL(2,R) current algebra.
The Wilson loop with a wavy line contour is studied using integrable methods. The auxiliary problem is solved and the Lax operator is built to first order in perturbation theory, considering a small perturbation from the straight line. Finally the spectral curve of the solution is considered.
We investigate Schwinger-Dyson equations for correlators of Wilson line operators in non-commutative gauge theories. We point out that, unlike what happens for closed Wilson loops, the joining term survives in the planar equations. This fact may be used to relate the correlator of an arbitrary number of Wilson lines eventually to a set of {\it closed} Wilson loops, obtained by joining the individual Wilson lines together by a series of well-defined cutting and joining manipulations. For closed loops, we find that the non-planar contributions do not have a smooth limit in the limit of vanishing…
We consider the unparticle action that is made gauge invariant by inclusion of an open Wilson line factor. In deriving vertexes from such an action it has been customary to use a form of differentiating the Wilson line originally proposed by Mandelstam. Using a simple example, we show that the Mandelstam derivative is mathematically inconsistent. We show that there are two ways to define differentiation of the Wilson line. The mathematically consistent method is to differentiate the explicit dependence of the line on the endpoint. The other method is a functional derivative and corresponds in …
We investigate the high energy behavior of the correlation functions of the open Wilson lines in noncommutative gauge theory. We obtain a very simple physical picture that they are bound to form a group of closed Wilson loops. We prove our claim in the weak coupling region by perturbative analysis. We emphasize the importance of respecting the cyclic symmetry of the straight Wilson lines to compute the correlation functions. The implications for stringy calculation of the correlators are also discussed.
Target space modular symmetries relevant to string loop threshold corrections are studied for $Z_N$ orbifold compactified string theories containing Wilson line background fields.
We generalize the standard product integral formalism to incorporate Grassmann valued matrices and show that the resulting supersymmetric product integrals provide a natural framework for describing supersymmetric Wilson Lines and Wilson Loops. We use this formalism to establish the supersymmetric version of the non-Abelian Stokes theorem.
Duality Symmetry is studied for heterotic string orbifold compactifications in the presence of a general background which in addition to the metric and antisymmetric tensor contains both discrete and continuous Wilson lines background.
Target space symmetries are studied for orbifold compactified string theories containing Wilson line background fields. The symmetries determined are for those moduli which contribute to the string loop threshold corrections of the gauge coupling constants. The groups found are subgroups of the modular group $PSL(2, Z)$ and depend on the choice of discrete Wilson lines and the shape of the underlying six-dimensional lattice.
In noncommutative field theories, it was known that one-loop effective action describes propagation of non-interacting open Wilson lines, obeying the flying dipole's relation. We show that two-loop effective action describes cubic interaction among `closed string' states created by open Wilson lines. Taking d-dimensional noncommutative [Φ^3] theory as the simplest setup, we compute nonplanar contribution at low-energy and large noncommutativity limit. We find that the contribution is expressible in a remarkably simple cubic interaction involving scalar open Wilson lines only and nothing else. …
We introduce the notion of a monodromy for gauge fields with vanishing curvature on the noncommutative torus. Similar to the ordinary gauge theory, traces of the monodromies define noncommutative Wilson lines. Our main result is that these Wilson lines are invariant under the Seiberg-Witten map changing the deformation parameter of the noncommutative torus.
We continue the study of the Wilson line representation of conformal blocks in two-dimensional conformal field theory; these have an alternative interpretation as gravitational Wilson lines in the context of the AdS$_3$/CFT$_2$ correspondence. The gravitational Wilson line involves a path-ordered exponential of the stress tensor, and its expectation value can be computed perturbatively in an expansion in inverse powers of the central charge $c$. The short-distance singularities which occur in the associated stress tensor correlators require systematic regularization and renormalization prescri…
We calculate the expectation value of the Wilson line in the pure AdS$_3$ Einstein gravity theory and also the entanglement entropy in the boundary theory. Our one-loop calculation of entanglement entropy shows a shift of the central charge 26. Finally, we show that the Wilson line provides the equivalent description to the boundary entanglement entropy. This equivalence leads to a concrete example of the building of "minimum surface=entanglement entropy".
Open Wilson lines are known to be the observables of noncommutative gauge theory with Moyal-Weyl star product. We generalize these objects to more general star products. As an application we derive a formula for the inverse Seiberg-Witten map for star products with invertible Poisson structures.
Wilson lines in N=4SYM can be computed in terms of branes carrying electric flux, i.e. F-strings dissolved in their worldvolumes. It is then natural to think that those configurations are the effective description of strings expanding due to dielectric effect to D-branes. In this note we explicitly show this for a class of such configurations, namely those dual to Wilson lines either in the symmetric or in the antisymmetric tensor product of fundamentals.
We provide a holographic perspective on correlation functions in Schwarzian quantum mechanics, as boundary-anchored Wilson line correlators in Jackiw-Teitelboim gravity. We first study compact groups and identify the diagrammatic representation of bilocal correlators of the particle-on-a-group model as Wilson line correlators in its 2d holographic BF description. We generalize to the Hamiltonian reduction of SL(2,R) and derive the Schwarzian correlation functions. Out-of-time ordered correlators are determined by crossing Wilson lines, giving a 6j-symbol, in agreement with 2d CFT results.
The modular symmetries of string loop threshold corrections for gauge coupling constants are studied in the presence of discrete Wilson lines for all examples of abelian orbifolds, where the point group is realised by the action of Coxeter elements or generalised Coxeter elements on the root lattices of the Lie groups.
By employing the symmetries of the underlying conformal field theory, the tree-level Kähler potentials for untwisted moduli of the heterotic string compactifications on orbifolds with continuous Wilson lines are derived. These symmetries act linearly on bosonic (toroidal and $E_8\times E_8$ gauge) string coordinates as well as on the untwisted (toroidal and continuous Wilson lines) moduli; they correspond to the scaling of toroidal moduli, the axionic shift of toroidal moduli and the shift of the continuous Wilson line moduli. In turn such symmetries provide sufficient constraints to determine…
We discuss recent results on orbifold compactifications with (0,2) world sheet supersymmetry and continuous Wilson lines, emphasizing the role of modular symmetries. (This work is a contribution to the proceedings of the joint US Polish Workshop on Physics from the Planck scale to the Electro-Weak scale, Warsaw, 21.9. - 24.9.1994)
We provide a refined interpretation of a gravitational Wilson line in AdS$_3$ in terms of Ishibashi states in the dual CFT$_2$. Our strategy is to give a method to evaluate the Wilson line that accounts for all the information contained in the representation, and clarify the role of boundary conditions at the endpoints of the line operator. This gives a novel way to explore and reconstruct the local bulk dynamics which we discuss. We also compare our findings with other interpretations of Ishibashi states in AdS$_3$/CFT$_2$.
A field theory formulation of two-time physics in d+2 dimensions is obtained from the covariant quantization of the constraint system associated with the OSp(n|2) worldline gauge symmetries of two-time physics. Interactions among fields can then be included consistently with the underlying gauge symmetries. Through this process a relation between Dirac's work in 1936 on conformal symmetry in field theory and the more recent worldline formulation of two-time physics is established while providing a worldline gauge symmetry basis for the field equations in d+2 dimensions. It is shown that the fi…
In this paper we will present in more detail a construction using Wilson lines and the corresponding dual Galilean conformal field theory calculations for analytically determining holographic entanglement entropy for flat space in $2+1$ dimensions first presented in hep-th/1410.4089. In addition we will show how the construction using Wilson lines can be expanded to flat space higher-spin theories and determine the thermal entropy of (spin-3 charged) flat space cosmologies using this approach.
We present a finite dimensional matrix model associated to the noncommutative Chern-Simons theory, obtained by inserting a Wilson line. For a specific choice of the representation of the Wilson line the model is equivalent to the minimal modification of the matrix model which is compatible with finite dimensional matrices, and was introduced previously to study droplets of quantum Hall fluid. For other representations we obtain generalizations corresponding to regularized U(n) Chern-Simons theoris, representing multilayered quantum Hall fluids.
Realistic heterotic string models require the presence of the Wilson lines. We study the effect of continuous Wilson lines on the heterotic Yukawa couplings and find that the presence of continuous Wilson lines affects the magnitude of the twisted Yukawa couplings resulting in their stronger hierarchy.
Using product integrals we review the unambiguous mathematical representation of Wilson line and Wilson loop operators, including their behavior under gauge transformations and the non-abelian Stokes theorem. Interesting consistency conditions among Wilson lines are also presented.
We consider an open Wilson line as a momentum representation of a boundary state which describes a D-brane in a constant B-field background. Using this picture, we study the Seiberg-Witten map which relates the commutative and noncommutative gauge fields, and determine the products of fields appearing in the general terms in the expansion of this map.
We study operator insertions into the $1/2$ BPS Wilson loop in ${\cal N}=4$ SYM theory and determine their two-point coefficients, anomalous dimensions and structure constants. The calculation is done for the first few lowest dimension insertions and relies on known results for the expectation value of a smooth Wilson loop. In addition to the particular coefficients that we calculate, our study elucidates the connection between deformations of the line and operator insertions and between the vacuum expectation value of the line and the CFT data of the insertions.
We generalize the rules for the free fermionic string construction to include other asymmetric orbifolds. Examples are given to illustrate the use of these rules.
