arXiv subjects

Alexia Nix

Publications and source records attributed to Alexia Nix.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Wilson loops, M2-branes and strings

We establish a universal approach for studying the semiclassical quantization of both probe M2-branes and fundamental strings in asymptotically AdS$_{4}$ backgrounds. On the field theory side, their partition functions are dual to the vacuum expectation value of half-BPS Wilson loops of a class of three-dimensional $\mathcal{N}\geq 2$ Chern-Simons-matter theories. Utilizing this universal approach we arrive at novel predictions for the semiclassical behaviour of the Wilson loop or upon availability match our results with the previously obtained expressions via supersymmetric localization. We also show that the correct choice of holographic ensemble suggests that the semiclassical quantization of probe M2-branes yields the full perturbative answer in the rank of the gauge group $N$ for the dual Wilson loop. This is a proceedings contribution to the ''Athens Workshop in Theoretical Physics: 10th Anniversary'', held at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens on December 17-19 2025.

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arXiv2025

Massive gravity applications for $T\overline{T}$ deformations

We employ the massive gravity approach to stress-tensor deformations in a variety of scenarios, obtaining novel results and establishing new connections. Starting with perturbation theory, we show that the addition of $\text{tr} T+\Lambda_{2}$ to $T\overline{T}$ can be recovered and we construct the deformed action of an interacting non-abelian spin-1 along with spin-1/2 seed model, extending previous findings. As a result, a set of algebraic properties for certain hypergeometric functions is derived, allowing us to initiate the algebraic study of special functions directly via stress-tensor deformations and massive gravity. Moreover, we sharpen the connection between the trace-flow equation and the local renormalization group in any dimension. In $d>2$, the usual initial condition for the coupling leads to a potential known as ghost-free, minimal massive gravity. Upon expansion around the reference background, we retrieve Fierz-Pauli at leading order, matching the random geometry and holographic approaches. At the same time, we demonstrate that a change of coordinates interpretation is possible for the corresponding operator, which we verify with a simple example. Finally, we study the family of $(\text{tr} T)^{n}$ deformations advancing earlier work, and illustrate how the massive gravity description of non-linear electrodynamics can be incorporated in our framework.

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arXiv2025

Universal holographic Wilson loops in 3d SCFTs

We study the vacuum expectation value of half-BPS Wilson loop operators in two families of superconformal $\mathcal{N}=2$ Chern-Simons-matter theories. The first family is dual to AdS$_{4}$ solutions in M-theory, while the second one has a dual description in massive type IIA string theory. Utilizing the properties of the underlying geometry, we provide a universal description for the semiclassical quantization of a probe M2-brane and fundamental string in the respective holographic dual geometries. As a result, we find the one-loop partition function of both the M2-brane and the string which leads to a prediction for the large $N$ behaviour of the Wilson loops in the dual SCFTs. For theories with M-theory duals, we conjecture the full perturbative completion as a ratio of Airy functions.

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arXiv2024

Wilson Loops and Spherical Branes

We study 1/2-BPS Wilson loop operators in maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on $d$-dimensional spheres. Their vacuum expectation values can be computed at large $N$ through supersymmetric localisation. The holographic duals are given by back-reacted spherical D-branes. For $d\neq 4$, the resulting theories are non-conformal and correspondingly, the dual geometries do not possess an asymptotic AdS region. The main aim of this work is to compute the holographic Wilson loops by evaluating the partition function of a probe fundamental string and M2-brane in the dual geometry, focusing on the next-to-leading order. Along the way, we highlight a variety of issues related to the presence of a non-constant dilaton. In particular, the structure of the divergences of the one-loop partition functions takes a non-universal form in contrast to examples available in the literature. We devise a general framework to treat the divergences, successfully match the sub-leading scaling with $\lambda$ and $N$, and provide a first step towards obtaining the numerical prefactor.

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