We study the space of 3d ${\cal N} = 6$ SCFTs by combining numerical bootstrap techniques with exact results derived using supersymmetric localization. First we derive the superconformal block decomposition of the four-point function of the stress tensor multiplet superconformal primary. We then use supersymmetric localization results for the ${\cal N} = 6$ $U(N)_k\times U(N+M)_{-k}$ Chern-Simons-matter theories to determine two protected OPE coefficients for many values of $N,M,k$. These two exact inputs are combined with the numerical bootstrap to compute precise rigorous islands for a wide range of $N,k$ at $M=0$, so that we can non-perturbatively interpolate between SCFTs with M-theory duals at small $k$ and string theory duals at large $k$. We also present evidence that the localization results for the $U(1)_{2M}\times U(1+M)_{-2M}$ theory, which has a vector-like large-$M$ limit dual to higher spin theory, saturates the bootstrap bounds for certain protected CFT data. The extremal functional allows us to then conjecturally reconstruct low-lying CFT data for this theory.
We apply the numerical bootstrap program to chiral operators in four-dimensional ${\mathcal N}=2$ SCFTs. In the first part of this work we study four-point functions in which all fields have the same conformal dimension. We give special emphasis to bootstrapping a specific theory: the simplest Argyres-Douglas fixed point with no flavor symmetry. In the second part we generalize our setup and consider correlators of fields with unequal dimension. This is an example of a mixed correlator and allows us to probe new regions in the parameter space of ${\mathcal N}=2$ SCFTs. In particular, our resul…
We initiate the bootstrap program for $\mathcal{N}=3$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) in four dimensions. The problem is considered from two fronts: the protected subsector described by a $2d$ chiral algebra, and crossing symmetry for half-BPS operators whose superconformal primaries parametrize the Coulomb branch of $\mathcal{N}=3$ theories. With the goal of describing a protected subsector of a family of $\mathcal{N}=3$ SCFTs, we propose a new $2d$ chiral algebra with super Virasoro symmetry that depends on an arbitrary parameter, identified with the central charge of the theory. Turni…
We study half-BPS line defects in $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal theories using the bootstrap approach. We concentrate on local excitations constrained to the defect, which means the system is a $1d$ defect CFT with $\mathfrak{osp}(4^*|2)$ symmetry. In order to study correlation functions we construct a suitable superspace, and then use the Casimir approach to calculate a collection of new superconformal blocks. Special emphasis is given to the displacement operator, which controls deformations orthogonal to the defect and is always present in a defect CFT. After setting up the crossing equati…
The numerical conformal bootstrap is used to study mixed correlators in $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) in $d=4$ spacetime dimensions. Systems of four-point functions involving scalar chiral and real operators are analyzed, including the case where the scalar real operator is the zero component of a global conserved current multiplet. New results on superconformal blocks as well as universal constraints on the space of 4D $\mathcal{N}=1$ SCFTs with chiral operators are presented. At the level of precision used, the conditions under which the putative "minimal" 4D $\mathca…
Using numerical bootstrap method, we determine the critical exponents of the minimal three-dimensional N = 1 Wess-Zumino models with cubic superpotetential $W\sim d_{ijk}Φ_iΦ_jΦ_k$. The tensor $d_{ijk}$ is taken to be the invariant tensor of either permutation group $S_N$, special unitary group $SU(N)$, or a series of groups called F4 family of Lie groups. Due to the equation of motion, at the Wess-Zumino fixed point, the operator $d_{ijk}Φ_iΦ_jΦ_k$ is a (super)descendant of $Φ_i$ . We observe such super-multiplet recombination in numerical bootstrap, which allows us to determine the scaling d…
In this work we initiate the conformal bootstrap program for ${\mathcal N}=2$ superconformal field theories in four dimensions. We promote an abstract operator-algebraic viewpoint in order to unify the description of Lagrangian and non-Lagrangian theories, and formulate various conjectures concerning the landscape of theories. We analyze in detail the four-point functions of flavor symmetry current multiplets and of ${\mathcal N}=2$ chiral operators. For both correlation functions we review the solution of the superconformal Ward identities and describe their superconformal block decomposition…
This paper focuses on the analysis of $4d$ $\mathcal{N}=4$ superconformal theories in the presence of a defect from the point of view of the conformal bootstrap. We will concentrate first on the case of codimension one, where the defect is a boundary that preserves half of the supersymmetry. After studying the constraints imposed by supersymmetry, we will obtain the Ward identities associated to two-point functions of $\tfrac{1}{2}$-BPS operators and write their solution as a superconformal block expansion. Due to a surprising connection between spacetime and R-symmetry conformal blocks, our r…
Using numerical bootstrap method, we determine the critical exponents of the minimal three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal field theory (SCFT) to be $η_σ=0.168888(60)$ and $ω=0.882(9)$. The model was argued in arXiv:1301.7449 to describe a quantum critical point (QCP) at the boundary a $3+1$D topological superconductor. More interestingly, the QCP can be reached by tuning a single parameter, where supersymmetry (SUSY) is realised as an emergent symmetry. By imposing emergent SUSY in numerical bootstrap, we find that the conformal scaling dimension of the real scalar operator $σ$ is …
We study 4d membranes in type IIA flux compactifications of the form AdS$_4 \times X_6$, where $X_6$ admits a Calabi--Yau metric. These models feature scale separation and D6-branes/O6-planes on three-cycles of $X_6$. When the latter are treated as localised sources, explicit solutions to the 10d equations of motion and Bianchi identities are known in 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ settings, valid at first order in an expansion parameter related to the AdS$_4$ cosmological constant. We extend such solutions to a family of perturbatively stable $\mathcal{N}=0$ vacua, and analyse their non-perturbative stab…
We study the conformal bootstrap constraints for 4D $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal field theories containing a chiral operator $ϕ$ and the chiral ring relation $ϕ^2=0$. Hints for a minimal interacting SCFT in this class have appeared in previous numerical bootstrap studies. We perform a detailed study of the properties of this conjectured theory, establishing that the corresponding solution to the bootstrap constraints contains a $\text{U}(1)_R$ current multiplet and estimating the central charge and low-lying operator spectrum of this theory.
In this long overdue second installment, we continue to develop the conformal bootstrap program for ${\mathcal N}=4$ superconformal field theories in four dimensions via an analysis of the correlation function of four stress-tensor supermultiplets. We review analytic results for this correlator and make contact with the SCFT/chiral algebra correspondence of arXiv:1312.5344. We demonstrate that the constraints of unitarity and crossing symmetry require the central charge $c$ to be greater than or equal to $3/4$ in any interacting ${\mathcal N}=4$ SCFT. We apply numerical bootstrap methods to de…
We derive new constraints on the spectrum of two-dimensional conformal field theories with central charge $c>1.$ Employing the pillow representation of the four point correlator of identical scalars with dimension $Δ_{\mathcal{O}}$ and positivity of the coefficients of its expansion in the elliptic nome we place central charge dependent bounds on the dimension of the first excited Virasoro primary the scalar couples to, in the form $Δ_1<f(c,Δ_{\mathcal{O}}).$ We give an analytic expression for $f(c,Δ_{\mathcal{O}})$ and write down transcendental equations that significantly improve the analyti…
We use the numerical conformal bootstrap to study six-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(1,0)$ superconformal field theories with flavor symmetry $\mathfrak{so}_{4k}$. We present evidence that minimal $(D_k, D_k)$ conformal matter saturates the unitarity bounds for arbitrary $k$. Furthermore, using the extremal-functional method, we check that the chiral-ring relations are correctly reproduced, extract the anomalous dimensions of low-lying long superconformal multiplets, and find hints for novel OPE selection rules involving type-$\mathcal{B}$ multiplets.
We construct a manifestly supersymmetric and kappa-symmetry invariant worldvolume action describing the coupling of a dynamical membrane to an $\mathcal N=1$, $D=4$ $SU(N)$ super-Yang-Mills multiplet. Worldvolume scalar fields in this action are a Goldstone and a Goldstino associated with spontaneous breaking, by the membrane, of half of $\mathcal N=1$, $D=4$ supersymmetry. When the Goldstone fields are set to zero, the model reduces to an $\mathcal N=1$, $d=3$ $SU(N)$ Chern-Simons theory induced by the SYM coupling. We show that, when the membrane couples to the Veneziano-Yankielowicz (VY) ef…
In arXiv:0806.0363 the worldvolume superalgebra of the $\mathcal{N}=8$ Bagger-Lambert theory was calculated. In this paper we derive the general form for the worldvolume superalgebra of the $\mathcal{N}=6$ Bagger-Lambert theory. For a particular choice of three-algebra we derive the superalgebra of the ABJM theory. We interpret the associated central charges in terms of BPS brane configurations. In particular we find the central charge corresponding to the energy bound of the BPS fuzzy-funnel configuration of the ABJM theory. We also derive general expressions for the BPS equations of the $\ma…
We perform a numerical bootstrap study of the mixed correlator system containing the half-BPS operators of dimension two and three in $\mathcal N = 4$ Super Yang-Mills. This setup improves on previous works in the literature that only considered single correlators of one or the other operator. We obtain upper bounds on the leading twist in a given representation of the R-symmetry by imposing gaps on the twist of all operators rather than the dimension of a single one. As a result we find a tension between the large $N$ supergravity predictions and the numerical finite $N$ results already at $N…
We review main features of the pure $\mathcal N=1$, $D=4$ SYM and its effective description by the Veneziano-Yankielowicz generalized sigma-model. We then indicate that the construction of BPS domain walls interpolating between different SYM vacua requires the presence of a dynamical membrane source. We will show how such a membrane is coupled to the SYM and present the explicit form of BPS domain walls which it creates in the Veneziano-Yankielowicz effective theory. In particular, we will describe 1/2 BPS domain wall configurations with $|k|\leq N/3$, where $k$ is the membrane charge that set…
Using modular bootstrap we show the lightest primary fields of a unitary compact two dimensional conformal field theory(with $c, \bar{c}>1$) has a conformal weight $h_1\le \frac{c}{12}+\mathcal{O}(1)$.This implies that the upper bound on the dimension of the lightest primary fields depends on their spin. In particular if the set of lightest primary fields includes extremal or near extremal states whose spin to dimension ratio $\frac{j}Δ\approx 1$, the corresponding dimension is $Δ\le \frac{c}{12}+\mathcal{O}(1)$. From AdS/CFT correspondence, we obtain an upper bound on the spectrum of black ho…
In this note we report an improved determination of the scaling dimensions and OPE coefficients of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the 3d Ising model using the conformal bootstrap. We also show how this data can be used as input to the Lorentzian inversion formula, finding good agreement between analytic calculations and numerical extremal spectra once mixing effects are resolved.
We consider massive type IIA orientifold compactifications of the form AdS$_4 \times X_6$, where $X_6$ admits a Calabi-Yau metric and is threaded by background fluxes. From a 4d viewpoint, fluxes generate a potential whose vacua have been classified, including one $\mathcal{N}=1$ and three perturbatively stable $\mathcal{N}=0$ branches. We reproduce this result from a 10d viewpoint, by solving the type IIA equations at the same level of detail as previously done for the $\mathcal{N}=1$ branch. All solutions exhibit localised sources and parametric scale separation. We then analyse the non-pert…
We present a quantum mechanical model of spherical supermembranes. Using superfields to represent the cartesian coordinates of the membrane, we are able to exactly determine its supersymmetric vacua. We find there are two classical vacua, one corresponding to an extended membrane and one corresponding to a point-like membrane. For the ${\mathcal N} = 2$ case, instanton effects then lift these vacua to massive states. For the ${\mathcal N} = 4$ case, there is no instanton tunneling, and the vacua remain massless. Similarities to spherical supermembranes as giant gravitons and in Matrix theory o…
We investigate nonperturbative effects in M-theory compactifications arising from wrapped membranes. In particular, we show that in $d=4, \mathcal{N}=1$ compactifications along manifolds of $G_2$ holonomy, membranes wrapped on rigid supersymmetric 3-cycles induce nonzero corrections to the superpotential. Thus, membrane instantons destabilize many M-theory compactifications. Our computation shows that the low energy description of membrane physics is usefully described in terms of three-dimensional topological field theories, and the superpotential is expressed in terms of topological invarian…
We investigate the heavy-light four-point function up to double-stress-tensor, supplementing 1910.06357. By using the OPE coefficients of lowest-twist double-stress-tensor in the literature, we find the Regge behavior for lowest-twist double-stress-tensor in general even dimension within the large impact parameter regime. In the next, we perform the Lorentzian inversion formula to obtain both the OPE coefficients and anomalous dimensions of double-twist operators $[\mathcal{O}_H\mathcal{O}_L]_{n,J}$ with finite spin $J$ in $d=4$. We also extract the anomalous dimensions of double-twist operato…
We review the dynamical generation of coupling constants in 4D supergravity by means of gauge three-form fields. The latter are introduced as components of particular chiral supermultiplets and can be coupled to membranes preserving local supersymmetry. Such a set-up naturally arises from type-II string compactifications on Calabi-Yau manifolds with fluxes. We present generic 4D $\mathcal N=1$ supergravity models with three-form multiplets and study domain wall solutions supported by membranes, which interpolate between vacua with different values of the cosmological constant.
We use analytic bootstrap techniques for a CFT with an interface or a boundary. Exploiting the analytic structure of the bulk and boundary conformal blocks we extract the CFT data. We further constrain the CFT data by applying the equation of motion to the boundary operator expansion. The method presented in this paper is general, and it is illustrated in the context of perturbative Wilson-Fisher theories. In particular, we find constraints on the OPE coefficients for the conformal interface CFT in $4 - ε$ dimensions (upto order $\mathcal{O}(ε^2)$) with $ϕ^4$-interactions in the bulk. We also …
We show that the $E-S \sim \log S$ behaviour found for long strings rotating on $AdS_5\times S^5$ may be reproduced by membranes rotating on $AdS_4\times S^7$ and on a warped $AdS_5$ M-theory solution. We go on to obtain rotating membrane configurations with the same $E-K \sim \log K$ relation on $G_2$ holonomy backgrounds that are dual to ${\mathcal{N}}=1$ gauge theories in four dimensions. We study membrane configurations on $G_2$ holonomy backgrounds systematically, finding various other Energy-Charge relations. We end with some comments about strings rotating on warped backgrounds.
We implement the conformal bootstrap program for three-dimensional CFTs with $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetry and find universal constraints on the spectrum of operator dimensions in these theories. By studying the bounds on the dimension of the first scalar appearing in the OPE of a chiral and an anti-chiral primary, we find a kink at the expected location of the critical three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ Wess-Zumino model, which can be thought of as a supersymmetric analog of the critical Ising model. Focusing on this kink, we determine, to high accuracy, the low-lying spectrum of operator dime…
We list 4d interacting $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFT with minimal flavor central charge from the theory space constructed using 6d $(2,0)$ theory. For $ADE$ and $C_N$ flavor groups, our theory saturates the bound found using bootstrap method, but other cases have higher values. We find interesting rank one SCFTs with $B_3, G_2, F_4, C_4\times U(1), C_1\times U(1)$ flavor symmetry. Many physical properties of these theories are also studied.
We study the conformal bootstrap constraints for 3D conformal field theories with a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ or parity symmetry, assuming a single relevant scalar operator $ε$ that is invariant under the symmetry. When there is additionally a single relevant odd scalar $σ$, we map out the allowed space of dimensions and three-point couplings of such "Ising-like" CFTs. If we allow a second relevant odd scalar $σ'$, we identify a feature in the allowed space compatible with 3D $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal symmetry and conjecture that it corresponds to the minimal $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetric extension…
Swampland criteria like the Weak Gravity Conjecture should not only apply to particles, but also to other lower-codimension charged objects in 4d EFTs like strings and membranes. However, the description of the latter is in general subtle due to their large backreaction effects. In the context of 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ EFTs, we consider $\frac12$BPS strings and membranes which are fundamental, in the sense that they cannot be resolved within the EFT regime. We argue that, if interpreted from the EFT viewpoint, the 4d backreaction of these objects translates into a classical RG flow of their coupli…
We study the stress tensor four-point function for $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM with gauge group $G=SU(N)$, $SO(2N+1)$, $SO(2N)$ or $USp(2N)$ at large $N$. When $G=SU(N)$, the theory is dual to type IIB string theory on $AdS_5\times S^5$ with complexified string coupling $τ_s$, while for the other cases it is dual to the orbifold theory on $AdS_5\times S^5/\mathbb{Z}_2$. In all cases we use the analytic bootstrap and constraints from localization to compute 1-loop and higher derivative tree level corrections to the leading supergravity approximation of the correlator. We give perturbative evidence that…
We find an asymptotic solution for two- and three-point correlators of local gauge-invariant operators, in a lower-spin sector of massless large-$N$ $QCD$, in terms of glueball and meson propagators, by means of a new purely field-theoretical technique that we call the asymptotically-free bootstrap. The asymptotically-free bootstrap exploits the lowest-order conformal invariance of connected correlators of gauge invariant composite operators in perturbation theory, the renormalization-group improvement, and a recently-proved asymptotic structure theorem for glueball and meson propagators, that…
We use on-shell amplitude methods to systematically analyze the possibility of extended supersymmetry for 4d Galileon models, expanding on previous $\mathcal{N}=1$ results. Assuming spins $\le 1$, we prove that there exists no $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric extension of any 4d Galileons. Thus the Galileons cannot be part of the effective action of a single flat maximally supersymmetric D3-brane, and that explains why such terms do not appear in the $α'$-expansion of the abelian open superstring amplitude. For $\mathcal{N}=2$ Galileons, we show that the complex scalar $Z = ϕ+ i χ$ of the vector…
New Cornerstone Laboratory, Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院理论物理研究所新基石实验室）；School of Fundamental Physics and Mathematical Sciences, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, UCAS（中国科学院大学杭州高等研究院基础物理与数学学院）；School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院大学物理科学学院）；Centre for Theoretical Physics and Astronomy, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Queen Mary University of London（伦敦大学玛丽女王学院物理与天文系理论物理与天文学中心）
We prove the principle of maximal transcendentality for a class of form factors, including the general two-loop minimal form factors, the two-loop three-point form factor of ${\rm tr}(F^2)$, and the two-loop four-point form factor of ${\rm tr}(F^3)$. Our proof is based on a recently developed bootstrap method using the representation of master integral expansions, together with some unitarity cuts that are universal in general gauge theories. The maximally transcendental parts of the two-loop four-gluon form factor of $\mathrm{tr}(F^3)$ are obtained for the first time in both planar $\mathcal{…
Boundaries in three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=2$ superconformal theories may preserve one half of the original bulk supersymmetry. There are two possibilities which are characterized by the chirality of the leftover supercharges. Depending on the choice, the remaining $2d$ boundary algebra exhibits $\mathcal{N}=(0,2)$ or $\mathcal{N}=(1,1)$ supersymmetry. In this work we focus on correlation functions of chiral fields for both types of supersymmetric boundaries. We study a host of correlators using superspace techniques and calculate superconformal blocks for two- and three-point functions. For…
We set up the bootstrap procedure for supersymmetric Galilean Conformal (SGC) field theories in two dimensions by constructing the SGC blocks in the $\mathcal{N}=1$ and two possible $\mathcal{N} =2$ extensions of the Galilean conformal algebra. In all analyzed cases, we present the bootstrap equations by crossing symmetry of the four point function. In addition, we compute the global SGC blocks analytically by solving the differential equations obtained by acting with the Casimirs of the global subalgebras inside the four point function. These global blocks agree with the general SGC blocks in…
We study scalar conformal field theories whose large $N$ spectrum is fixed by the operator dimensions of either Ising model or Lee-Yang edge singularity. Using numerical bootstrap to study CFTs with $S_N\otimes Z_2$ symmetry, we find a series of kinks whose locations approach $(Δ^{\text{Ising}}_σ,Δ^{\text{Ising}}_ε)$ at $N\rightarrow \infty$. Setting $N=4$, we study the cubic anisotropic fixed point with three spin components. As byproducts of our numerical bootstrap work, we discover another series of kinks whose identification with previous known CFTs remains a mystery. We also show that "mi…
We study the membrane wrapping mode corrections to the Kaluza-Klein (KK) 6-brane in eleven dimensions. We examine the localized KK6-brane in the extended space in $E_{7(7)}$ exceptional field theory. In order to discuss the physical origin of the localization in the extended space, we consider a probe M2-brane in eleven dimensions. We show that a three-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = 4$ gauge theory is naturally interpreted as a membrane generalization of the two-dimensional $\mathcal{N} = (4,4)$ gauged linear sigma model for the fundamental string. We point out that the vector field in the $\mathc…
We present the results of a conformal bootstrap study of the presumed unitary IR fixed point of quantum electrodynamics in three dimensions (QED$_3$) coupled to $N_f=4$ two-component Dirac fermions. Specifically, we study the four-point correlators of the $SU(4)$ adjoint fermion bilinear $r$ and the monopole of lowest topological charge $\mathcal{M}_{1/2}$. Most notably, the scaling dimensions of the fermion bilinear $r$ and the monopole $\mathcal{M}_{1/2}$ are found to be constrained into a closed island with a combination of spectrum assumptions inspired by the $1/N_f$ perturbative results a…
We use the conformal bootstrap to perform a precision study of 3d maximally supersymmetric ($\mathcal{N}=8$) SCFTs that describe the IR physics on $N$ coincident M2-branes placed either in flat space or at a $\C^4/\Z_2$ singularity. First, using the explicit Lagrangians of ABJ(M) \cite{Aharony:2008ug,Aharony:2008gk} and recent supersymmetric localization results, we calculate certain half and quarter-BPS OPE coefficients, both exactly at small $N$, and approximately in a large $N$ expansion that we perform to all orders in $1/N$. Comparing these values with the numerical bootstrap bounds leads…
We consider graviton scattering in maximal supergravity on Anti-de Sitter space (AdS) in $d+1$ dimensions for $d=3,4,\text{and $6$}$ with no extra compact spacetime factor. Holography suggests that this theory is dual to an exotic maximally supersymmetric conformal field theory (CFT) in $d$ dimensions whose only light single trace operator is the stress tensor. This contrasts with more standard cases like Type IIB string theory on $AdS_5\times S^5$ dual to $\mathcal{N}=4$ Super-Yang-Mills, where the CFT has light single trace operators for each Kaluza-Klein mode on $S^5$. We compute the 1-loop…
We compute the superconformal partial waves of the four-point correlator $\langle JJJJ\rangle$, in which the external operator $J$ is the superconformal primary of the $4D$ $\mathcal{N}=2$ stress-tensor multiplet $\mathcal{J}$. We develop the superembedding formalism for the superconformal field theories (SCFTs) with extended supersymmetry. In $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs, the three-point functions $\langle \mathcal{J}\mathcal{J}\mathcal{O}\rangle$ with general multiplet $\mathcal{O}$ contain two independent nilpotent superconformal invariants and new superconformal tensor structures, which can be ni…
We explore the large spin spectrum in two-dimensional conformal field theories with a finite twist gap, using the modular bootstrap in the lightcone limit. By recursively solving the modular crossing equations associated to different $PSL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ elements, we identify the universal contribution to the density of large spin states from the vacuum in the dual channel. Our result takes the form of a sum over $PSL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ elements, whose leading term generalizes the usual Cardy formula to a wider regime. Rather curiously, the contribution to the density of states from the vacuum beco…
