arXiv subjects

Andreas Stergiou

Publications and source records attributed to Andreas Stergiou.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Heavy Handed Quest for Fixed Points in Multiple Coupling Scalar Theories in the $\varepsilon$ Expansion

The tensorial equations for non trivial fully interacting fixed points at lowest order in the $\varepsilon$ expansion in $4-\varepsilon$ and $3-\varepsilon$ dimensions are analysed for $N$-component fields and corresponding multi-index couplings $λ$ which are symmetric tensors with four or six indices. Both analytic and numerical methods are used. For $N=5,6,7$ in the four-index case large numbers of irrational fixed points are found numerically where $||λ||^2$ is close to the bound found by Rychkov and Stergiou in arXiv:1810.10541. No solutions, other than those already known, are found which saturate the bound. These examples in general do not have unique quadratic invariants in the fields. For $N \geqslant 6$ the stability matrix in the full space of couplings always has negative eigenvalues. In the six index case the numerical search generates a very large number of solutions for $N=5$.

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arXiv2022

Bootstrapping Mixed MN Correlators in 3D

The recent emergence of the modern conformal bootstrap method for the study of conformal field theories (CFTs) has enabled the revisiting of old problems in classical critical phenomena described by three-dimensional CFTs. The study of such CFTs with $O(m)^n \rtimes S_n$ global symmetry, also known as MN models, is pursued in this work. Systems of mixed correlators involving scalar operators in two different representations of the global symmetry group are considered. Isolated allowed regions are found in parameter space for various values of $m$ and $n$. These "islands" can be separated into two qualitative groups: those close to the unitarity bound and those further away. As a by-product of our analysis generic tensor structures required to bootstrap any $G^n \rtimes S_n$ theory with $G$ arbitrary are worked out.

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arXiv2022

Weyl Covariance and the Energy Momentum Tensors of Higher-Derivative Free Conformal Field Theories

Energy momentum tensors of higher-derivative free scalar conformal field theories in flat spacetime are discussed. Two algorithms for the computation of energy momentum tensors are described, which accomplish different goals: the first is brute-force and highlights the complexity of the energy momentum tensors, while the second displays some features of their geometric origin as variations of Weyl invariant curved-space actions. New compact expressions for energy momentum tensors are given and specific obstructions to defining them as conformal primary operators in some spacetime dimensions are highlighted. Our discussion is also extended to higher-derivative free spinor theories, which are based on higher-derivative generalizations of the Dirac action and provide interesting examples of conformal field theories in dimension higher than two.

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arXiv2022

Scale and Conformal Invariance in Higher Derivative Shift Symmetric Theories

The critical behavior of infinite families of shift symmetric interacting theories with higher derivative kinetic terms (non unitary) is considered. Single scalar theories with shift symmetry are classified according to their upper critical dimensions and studied at the leading non trivial order in perturbation theory. For two infinite families, one with quartic and one with cubic interactions, beta functions, criticality conditions and universal anomalous dimensions are computed. At the order considered, the cubic theories enjoy a one loop non renormalization of the vertex, so that the beta function depends non trivially only on the anomalous dimension. The trace of the energy momentum tensor is also investigated and it is shown that these two families of QFTs are conformally invariant at the fixed point of the RG flow.

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arXiv2021

Perturbative and Nonperturbative Studies of CFTs with MN Global Symmetry

Fixed points in three dimensions described by conformal field theories with $MN_{m,n}= O(m)^n\rtimes S_n$ global symmetry have extensive applications in critical phenomena. Associated experimental data for $m=n=2$ suggest the existence of two non-trivial fixed points, while the $\varepsilon$ expansion predicts only one, resulting in a puzzling state of affairs. A recent numerical conformal bootstrap study has found two kinks for small values of the parameters $m$ and $n$, with critical exponents in good agreement with experimental determinations in the $m=n=2$ case. In this paper we investigate the fate of the corresponding fixed points as we vary the parameters $m$ and $n$. We find that one family of kinks approaches a perturbative limit as $m$ increases, and using large spin perturbation theory we construct a large $m$ expansion that fits well with the numerical data. This new expansion, akin to the large $N$ expansion of critical $O(N)$ models, is compatible with the fixed point found in the $\varepsilon$ expansion. For the other family of kinks, we find that it persists only for $n=2$, where for large $m$ it approaches a non-perturbative limit with $Δ_ϕ\approx 0.75$. We investigate the spectrum in the case $MN_{100,2}$ and find consistency with expectations from the lightcone bootstrap.

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arXiv2020

Analytic and Numerical Bootstrap of CFTs with $O(m)\times O(n)$ Global Symmetry in 3D

Motivated by applications to critical phenomena and open theoretical questions, we study conformal field theories with $O(m)\times O(n)$ global symmetry in $d=3$ spacetime dimensions. We use both analytic and numerical bootstrap techniques. Using the analytic bootstrap, we calculate anomalous dimensions and OPE coefficients as power series in $\varepsilon=4-d$ and in $1/n$, with a method that generalizes to arbitrary global symmetry. Whenever comparison is possible, our results agree with earlier results obtained with diagrammatic methods in the literature. Using the numerical bootstrap, we obtain a wide variety of operator dimension bounds, and we find several islands (isolated allowed regions) in parameter space for $O(2)\times O(n)$ theories for various values of $n$. Some of these islands can be attributed to fixed points predicted by perturbative methods like the $\varepsilon$ and large-$n$ expansions, while others appear to arise due to fixed points that have been claimed to exist in resummations of perturbative beta functions.

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arXiv2020

Bootstrapping MN and Tetragonal CFTs in Three Dimensions

Conformal field theories (CFTs) with MN and tetragonal global symmetry in $d=2+1$ dimensions are relevant for structural, antiferromagnetic and helimagnetic phase transitions in a wide class of materials. The study of these theories with the nonperturbative numerical conformal bootstrap is initiated in this work. Bounds for operator dimensions are obtained and they are found to possess sharp kinks in the MN case, suggesting the existence of full-fledged CFTs. In the tetragonal case, no new kinks are found. Estimates for critical exponents are provided for a few cases describing phase transitions in various materials. In two particular MN cases, corresponding to theories with global symmetry groups $O(2)^2\rtimes S_2$ and $O(2)^3\rtimes S_3$, a second kink is found. In the $O(2)^2\rtimes S_2$ case it is argued to be saturated by a CFT that belongs to a new universality class relevant for the structural phase transition of NbO$_2$ and paramagnetic-helimagnetic transitions of the rare-earth metals Ho and Dy. In the $O(2)^3\rtimes S_3$ case it is suggested that the CFT that saturates the second kink belongs to a new universality class relevant for the paramagnetic-antiferromagnetic phase transition of the rare-earth metal Nd.

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arXiv2020

Bounds on Triangle Anomalies in (3+1)d

How many charged degrees of freedom are necessary to accommodate a certain amount of 't Hooft anomaly? Using the conformal bootstrap for the four-point function of flavor current multiplets, we show that in all (3+1)d superconformal field theories the 't Hooft anomaly of a continuous flavor symmetry is bounded from above by the 3/2 power of the current two-point function coefficient, which can be thought of as a measure for the amount of charged degrees of freedom. We check our bounds against free fields and SQCD in the conformal window.

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arXiv2020

Bootstrapping Mixed Correlators in Three-Dimensional Cubic Theories II

Conformal field theories (CFTs) with cubic global symmetry in 3D are relevant in a variety of condensed matter systems and have been studied extensively with the use of perturbative methods like the $\varepsilon$ expansion. In an earlier work, we used the nonperturbative numerical conformal bootstrap to provide evidence for the existence of a previously unknown 3D CFT with cubic symmetry, dubbed "Platonic CFT". In this work, we make further use of the numerical conformal bootstrap to perform a three-dimensional scan in the space of scaling dimensions of three low-lying operators. We find a three-dimensional isolated allowed region in parameter space, which includes both the 3D (decoupled) Ising model and the Platonic CFT. The essential assumptions on the spectrum of operators used to provide the isolated allowed region include the existence of a stress-energy tensor and the irrelevance of certain operators (in the renormalization group sense).

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arXiv2019

Implications of ANEC for SCFTs in four dimensions

We explore consequences of the Averaged Null Energy Condition (ANEC) for scaling dimensions $Δ$ of operators in four-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal field theories. We show that in many cases the ANEC bounds are stronger than the corresponding unitarity bounds on $Δ$. We analyze in detail chiral operators in the $(\frac12 j,0)$ Lorentz representation and prove that the ANEC implies the lower bound $Δ\ge\frac32j$, which is stronger than the corresponding unitarity bound for $j>1$. We also derive ANEC bounds on $(\frac12 j,0)$ operators obeying other possible shortening conditions, as well as general $(\frac12 j,0)$ operators not obeying any shortening condition. In both cases we find that they are typically stronger than the corresponding unitarity bounds. Finally, we elucidate operator-dimension constraints that follow from our $\mathcal{N}=1$ results for multiplets of $\mathcal{N}=2,4$ superconformal theories in four dimensions. By recasting the ANEC as a convex optimization problem and using standard semidefinite programming methods we are able to improve on previous analyses in the literature pertaining to the nonsupersymmetric case.

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arXiv2019

Seeking Fixed Points in Multiple Coupling Scalar Theories in the $\varepsilon$ Expansion

Fixed points for scalar theories in $4-\varepsilon$, $6-\varepsilon$ and $3-\varepsilon$ dimensions are discussed. It is shown how a large range of known fixed points for the four dimensional case can be obtained by using a general framework with two couplings. The original maximal symmetry, $O(N)$, is broken to various subgroups, both discrete and continuous. A similar discussion is applied to the six dimensional case. Perturbative applications of the $a$-theorem are used to help classify potential fixed points. At lowest order in the $\varepsilon$-expansion it is shown that at fixed points there is a lower bound for $a$ which is saturated at bifurcation points.

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arXiv2019

Bootstrapping Mixed Correlators in Three-Dimensional Cubic Theories

Three-dimensional theories with cubic symmetry are studied using the machinery of the numerical conformal bootstrap. Crossing symmetry and unitarity are imposed on a set of mixed correlators, and various aspects of the parameter space are probed for consistency. An isolated allowed region in parameter space is found under certain assumptions involving pushing operator dimensions above marginality, indicating the existence of a conformal field theory in this region. The obtained results have possible applications for ferromagnetic phase transitions as well as structural phase transitions in crystals. They are in tension with previous $\varepsilon$ expansion results, as noticed already in earlier work.

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arXiv2019

General Properties of Multiscalar RG Flows in $d=4-\varepsilon$

Fixed points of scalar field theories with quartic interactions in $d=4-\varepsilon$ dimensions are considered in full generality. For such theories it is known that there exists a scalar function $A$ of the couplings through which the leading-order beta-function can be expressed as a gradient. It is here proved that the fixed-point value of $A$ is bounded from below by a simple expression linear in the dimension of the vector order parameter, $N$. Saturation of the bound requires a marginal deformation, and is shown to arise when fixed points with the same global symmetry coincide in coupling space. Several general results about scalar CFTs are discussed, and a review of known fixed points is given.

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arXiv2018

R-current three-point functions in 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal theories

In 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal field theories (SCFTs) the R-symmetry current, the stress-energy tensor, and the supersymmetry currents are grouped into a single object, the Ferrara-Zumino multiplet. In this work we study the most general form of three-point functions involving two Ferrara-Zumino multiplets and a third generic multiplet. We solve the constraints imposed by conservation in superspace and show that non-trivial solutions can only be found if the third multiplet is R-neutral and transforms in suitable Lorentz representations. In the process we give a prescription for counting independent tensor structures in superconformal three-point functions. Finally, we set the Grassmann coordinates of the Ferrara-Zumino multiplets to zero and extract all three-point functions involving two R-currents and a third conformal primary. Our results pave the way for bootstrapping the correlation function of four R-currents in 4d $\mathcal{N}=1$ SCFTs.

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arXiv2018

Structures on the Conformal Manifold in Six Dimensional Theories

The tensors which may be defined on the conformal manifold for six dimensional CFTs with exactly marginal operators are analysed by considering the response to a Weyl rescaling of the metric in the presence of local couplings. It is shown that there are three symmetric two index tensors only one of which satisfies any positivity conditions. The general results are specialised to the six dimensional conformal theory defined by free two-forms and also to the interacting scalar $ϕ^3$ theory at two loops which preserves conformal invariance to this order. All three two index tensor contributions are present.

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arXiv2018

Dynamics of Finite-Temperature CFTs from OPE Inversion Formulas

We apply the OPE inversion formula to thermal two-point functions of bosonic and fermionic CFTs in general odd dimensions. This allows us to analyze in detail the operator spectrum of these theories. We find that nontrivial thermal CFTs arise when the thermal mass satisfies an algebraic transcendental equation that ensures the absence of an infinite set of operators from the spectrum. The solutions of these gap equations for general odd dimensions are in general complex numbers and follow a particular pattern. We argue that this pattern unveils the large-$N$ vacuum structure of the corresponding theories at zero temperature.

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arXiv2018

Bootstrapping hypercubic and hypertetrahedral theories in three dimensions

There are three generalizations of the Platonic solids that exist in all dimensions, namely the hypertetrahedron, the hypercube, and the hyperoctahedron, with the latter two being dual. Conformal field theories with the associated symmetry groups as global symmetries can be argued to exist in $d=3$ spacetime dimensions if the $\varepsilon=4-d$ expansion is valid when $\varepsilon\to1$. In this paper hypercubic and hypertetrahedral theories are studied with the non-perturbative numerical conformal bootstrap. In the $N=3$ cubic case it is found that a bound with a kink is saturated by a solution with properties that cannot be reconciled with the $\varepsilon$ expansion of the cubic theory. Possible implications for cubic magnets and structural phase transitions are discussed. For the hypertetrahedral theory evidence is found that the non-conformal window that is seen with the $\varepsilon$ expansion exists in $d=3$ as well, and a rough estimate of its extent is given.

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arXiv2018

Two-point functions of conformal primary operators in $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal theories

In $\mathcal{N}=1$ superconformal theories in four dimensions the two-point function of superconformal multiplets is known up to an overall constant. A superconformal multiplet contains several conformal primary operators, whose two-point function coefficients can be determined in terms of the multiplet's quantum numbers. In this paper we work out these coefficients in full generality, i.e. for superconformal multiplets that belong to any irreducible representation of the Lorentz group with arbitrary scaling dimension and R-charge. From our results we recover the known unitarity bounds, and also find all shortening conditions, even for non-unitary theories. For the purposes of our computations we have developed a Mathematica package for the efficient handling of expansions in Grassmann variables.

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