We study topological defect lines in the symmetric-product orbifolds $\mathrm{Sym}^N(X)$ for a generic seed CFT $X$. We focus on the defects which preserve the maximum of the $S_N$ symmetry. When $X$ is taken to describe the free theory of four fermions and four bosons on a $\mathbb{T}^4$, we construct holographically dual backgrounds describing propagation of tensionless closed strings in the presence of spacetime defects wrapping the conformal boundary. We find a precise match between the spectra of local on-shell closed-string vertex operators in the bulk and the spectra of non-local disorder fields in the spacetime theory.
The defect conformal field theory describing intersecting D3-branes at a C^2/Z_k orbifold is used to (de)construct the theory of intersecting M5-branes, as well as M5-branes wrapping the holomorphic curve xy=c. The possibility of a 't Hooft anomaly due to tensionless strings at the intersection is discussed. This note is based on a talk given by Zachary Guralnik at the 35th International Symposium Ahrenshoop on the Theory of Elementary Particles.
We find an intriguing link between the symmetries of the tensionless limit of closed string theory and the 2-dimensional Galilean Conformal Algebra (2d GCA). 2d GCA has been discussed in the context of the non-relativistic limit of AdS/CFT and more recently in flat-space holography as the proposed symmetry algebra of the field theory dual to 3d Minkowski spacetimes. It is best understood as a contraction of two copies of the Virasoro algebra. In this note, we link this to the tensionless limit of bosonic closed string theory. We show how it emerges naturally as a contraction of the residual ga…
We consider string theory on $\text{AdS}_3 \times \text{S}^3 \times \mathbb{T}^4$ in the tensionless limit, with one unit of NS-NS flux. This theory is conjectured to describe the symmetric product orbifold CFT. We consider the string on different Euclidean backgrounds such as thermal $\text{AdS}_3$, the BTZ black hole, conical defects and wormhole geometries. In simple examples we compute the full string partition function. We find it to be independent of the precise bulk geometry, but only dependent on the geometry of the conformal boundary. For example, the string partition function on ther…
In the twisted M-theory setting, various types of fusion of M2 and M5 branes induce coproducts between the algebra of operators on M2 branes and the algebra of operators on M5 branes. By doing a perturbative computation in the gravity side, which is captured by the 5d topological holomorphic $U(1)$ Chern-Simons theory, we reproduce the non-perturbative coproducts.
We describe a supersymmetric example of the holographic duality between 3 dimensional vector models and higher spin gauge theories in AdS_4, first proposed in a bosonic context by Klebanov and Polyakov. We argue that a particular Fradkin-Vasiliev type supersymmetric higher spin gauge theory in AdS_4 with 16 supersymmetries is dual to the singlet sector of bilinear operators of a free N = 4, SU(N) vector model defined on the boundary. Starting from the duality between type IIB on AdS_5 \times S^5 with a D5-brane as an AdS_4 \times S^2 subspace and the 4 dimensional SU(N) SYM with a defect, we r…
We discuss classification of defects of various codimensions within a holographic model of pure Yang-Mills theories or gauge theories with fundamental matter. We focus on their role below and above the phase transition point as well as their weights in the partition function. The general result is that objects which are stable and heavy in one phase are becoming very light (tensionless) in the other phase. We argue that the $θ$ dependence of the partition function drastically changes at the phase transition point, and therefore it correlates with stability properties of configurations. Some po…
We study conical geometry with the maximal number of fermionic symmetry in the higher spin supergravity described by sl(N+1|N) + sl(N+1|N) Chern-Simons gauge theory. It was proposed that a three dimensional N=2 higher spin supergravity is holographically dual to the N=(2,2) CP^N Kazama-Suzuki model. Based one the duality, we find a map between conical geometries and primary states in the dual CFT. In particular, we construct geometric solutions corresponding to primary states in the RR-sector. The proposal is checked by the comparison of a few charges and by the relation between null vectors a…
We examine the formation and critical dynamics of topological defects via Kibble-Zurek mechanism in a (2+1)-dimensional quantum critical point, which is conjectured to dual to a Lifshitz geometry. Quantized magnetic fluxoids are spontaneously generated and trapped in the cores of order parameter vortices, which is a feature of type II superconductors. Time evolution of the average condensate is found to lag behind the instantaneous equilibrium value of the order parameter, a typical phenomenon in nonequilibrium dynamics. Scalings of vortex number density and the "freeze-out" time match the pre…
We study entanglement entropy (EE) in conformal field theories (CFTs) in Minkowski space with a planar boundary or with a planar defect of any codimension. In any such boundary CFT (BCFT) or defect CFT (DCFT), we consider the reduced density matrix and associated EE obtained by tracing over the degrees of freedom outside of a (hemi-)sphere centered on the boundary or defect. Following Casini, Huerta, and Myers, we map the reduced density matrix to a thermal density matrix of the same theory on hyperbolic space. The EE maps to the thermal entropy of the theory on hyperbolic space. For BCFTs and…
We develop both the gravity and field theory sides of the Karch-Randall conjecture that the near-horizon description of a certain D5-D3 brane configuration in string theory, realized as AdS_5 x S^5 bisected by an AdS_4 x S^2 "brane", is dual to N=4 Super Yang-Mills theory in R^4 coupled to an R^3 defect. We propose a complete Lagrangian for the field theory dual, a novel "defect superconformal field theory" wherein a subset of the fields of N=4 SYM interacts with a d=3 SU(N) fundamental hypermultiplet on the defect preserving conformal invariance and 8 supercharges. The Kaluza-Klein reduction …
We propose a novel codimension-n holography, called cone holography, between a gravitational theory in $(d+1)$-dimensional conical spacetime and a CFT on the $(d+1-n)$-dimensional defects. Similar to wedge holography, the cone holography can be obtained by taking the zero-volume limit of holographic defect CFT. Remarkably, it can be regarded as a holographic dual of the edge modes on the defects. For one class of solutions, we prove that the cone holography is equivalent to AdS/CFT, by showing that the classical gravitational action and thus the CFT partition function in large N limit are the …
We investigate relevant deformation and the renormalization group flow in a defect conformal field theory from the point of view of the holography. We propose a candidate of g-function in the context of the holography, and prove the g-theorem: the g-function is monotonically non-increasing along the RG flow. We apply this g-theorem to the D5-brane solution which is an asymptotically AdS_4 x S^2 brane in AdS_5 x S^5. This solution corresponds to the mass deformation of the defect CFT. We checked that the g-function is monotonically non-increasing in this solution.
We study codimension-even conical defects that contain a deficit solid angle around each point along the defect. We show that they lead to a delta function contribution to the Lovelock scalar and we compute the contribution by two methods. We then show that these codimension-even defects appear as Euclidean brane solutions in higher dimensional topological AdS gravity which is Lovelock-Chern-Simons gravity without torsion. The theory possesses a holographic Weyl anomaly that is purely of type-A and proportional to the Lovelock scalar. Using the formula for the defect contribution, we prove a h…
We use holography to study codimension-2 surface defects in 5d SCFTs engineered by $(p,q)$ 5-brane webs. The three-dimensional defects are realized by D3-branes ending on the brane web. We identify the holographic representation of the defects in Type IIB $AdS_6$ solutions as probe D3-branes, and study conformal and non-conformal defects which, respectively, preserve one half and one quarter of the supersymmetry. For a sample of 5d SCFTs, including the $T_N$ theories, we provide explicit solutions for conformal and non-conformal defects. For the conformal defects we obtain their contribution t…
We study a defect conformal field theory describing D3-branes intersecting over two space-time dimensions. This theory admits an exact Lagrangian description which includes both two- and four-dimensional degrees of freedom, has (4,4) supersymmetry and is invariant under global conformal transformations. Both two- and four-dimensional contributions to the action are conveniently obtained in a two-dimensional (2,2) superspace. In a suitable limit, the theory has a dual description in terms of a probe D3-brane wrapping an AdS_3 x S^1 slice of AdS_5 x S^5. We consider the AdS/CFT dictionary for th…
We study the dynamic after a smooth quench across a continuous transition from the disordered phase to the ordered phase. Based on scaling ideas, linear response and the spectrum of unstable modes, we develop a theoretical framework, valid for any second order phase transition, for the early-time evolution of the condensate in the broken phase. Our analysis unveils a novel period of non-adiabatic evolution after the system passes through the phase transition, where a parametrically large amount of coarsening occurs before a well-defined condensate forms. Our formalism predicts a rate of defect…
We study generic types of holographic matter residing in Lifshitz invariant defect field theory as modeled by adding probe D-branes in the bulk black hole spacetime characterized by dynamical exponent $z$ and with hyperscaling violation exponent $θ$. Our main focus will be on the collective excitations of the dense matter in the presence of an external magnetic field. Constraining the defect field theory to 2+1 dimensions, we will also allow the gauge fields become dynamical and study the properties of a strongly coupled anyonic fluid. We will deduce the universal properties of holographic mat…
We model the back-reaction of a static observer in four-dimensional de Sitter spacetime by means of a singular $\mathbb Z_q$ quotient. The set of fixed points of the $\mathbb Z_q$ action consists of a pair of codimension two minimal surfaces given by 2-spheres in the Euclidean geometry. The introduction of an orbifold parameter $q>1$ permits the construction of an effective action for the bulk gravity theory with support on each of these minimal surfaces. The effective action corresponds to that of Liouville field theory on a 2-sphere with a finite vacuum expectation value of the Liouville fie…
In this work, we show how states with conserved numbers of dynamical defects (strings, domain walls, etc.) can be understood as possessing generalised global symmetries even when the microscopic origins of these symmetries are unknown. Using this philosophy, we build an effective theory of a $2+1$-dimensional fluid state with two perpendicular sets of immersed elastic line defects. When the number of defects is independently conserved in each set, then the state possesses two one-form symmetries. Normally, such viscoelastic states are described as fluids coupled to Goldstone bosons associated …
We study the spectrum of local operators living on a defect in a generic conformal field theory, and their coupling to the local bulk operators. We establish the existence of universal accumulation points in the spectrum at large $s$, $s$ being the charge of the operators under rotations in the space transverse to the defect. Our tools include a formula that inverts the bulk to defect OPE, analogous to the Caron-Huot formula for the four-point function. Analyticity of the formula in $s$ implies that the scaling dimensions of the defect operators are aligned in Regge trajectories $\widehatΔ(s)$…
Four-dimensional N=4 super Yang-Mills, with a codimension-one defect breaking half of the supersymmetry, arises as the field theory description of the D3/D5 intersection in the holographic limit. This is one of the earliest, most extensively studied, and commonly used systems in holography. In this note we give the full R-symmetry-covariant supersymmetry variations for this system. We also provide the supercurrents and compute the algebra of the corresponding supercharges, obtaining the full set of central charges. We show that magnetically charged finite-energy field configurations preserving…
$AdS_3$ string theory in the stringy regime $k=(R_{AdS}/\ell_{str})^2 < 1$ provides a laboratory for the study of holography in which both sides of AdS/CFT duality are under fairly good control. Worldsheet string theory is solvable, and for closed strings the dual spacetime CFT is a deformation of a symmetric product orbifold. Here we extend this construction to include open strings by adding a probe D-string, described semi-classically by an $AdS_2$ D-brane in $AdS_3$. The dual defect or boundary conformal field theory (BCFT) is again a deformed symmetric product, which now describes the Fock…
Holographic reconstruction for defect CFTs from $\mathrm{AdS}_p \times S^q$ spacetimes
International Centre for Theoretical Physics Asia–Pacific, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院大学亚太理论物理中心）；INFN, Sezione di Milano（意大利国家核物理研究所米兰分部）
We propose a toy model for holographic duality. The model is constructed by embedding a stack of $N$ D2-branes and $K$ D4-branes (with one dimensional intersection) in a 6D topological string theory. The world-volume theory on the D2-branes (resp. D4-branes) is 2D BF theory (resp. 4D Chern-Simons theory) with $\mathrm{GL}_N$ (resp. $\mathrm{GL}_K$) gauge group. We propose that in the large $N$ limit the BF theory on $\mathbb{R}^2$ is dual to the closed string theory on $\mathbb R^2 \times \mathbb R_+ \times S^3$ with the Chern-Simons defect on $\mathbb R \times \mathbb R_+ \times S^2$. As a ch…
In this article, we present explicit evidence that maximal chaos occurs for a generic, probe quark-like defect degrees of freedom, in a strongly coupled large $N_c$ gauge theory. In holography, this corresponds to the dynamics of open string degrees of freedom, in the background of a closed string geometry. In this context, we explicitly show that a Schwarzian effective action for the soft sector emerges and couples with other modes, in the infra-red. This is manifest on an open string worldsheet, as well as a D$1$-brane world-volume, embedded in AdS$_3$. The corresponding maximal chaos is gov…
