arXiv subjects

Balt C. van Rees

Publications and source records attributed to Balt C. van Rees.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The doubly conformal dispersion relation

We provide a simple derivation of the conformal dispersion relation of Carmi and Caron-Huot which reconstructs a CFT four-point function from its double discontinuity. We exhibit a hidden conformal symmetry which explains the appearance of the "magic variable" x as a simple cross-ratio, built from four physical cross-ratios. We also introduce a regulator in the double discontinuity operation and then prove that one subtraction suffices for all integrals to converge.

hep-th↗

arXiv2026

On the $(\text{Fib} \boxtimes \text{Fib}) \rtimes S_2$ fusion category

There might exist non-rational Virasoro CFTs in two dimensions with a $(\text{Fib} \boxtimes \text{Fib}) \rtimes S_2$ categorical symmetry. We calculate the necessary ingredients for a modular conformal bootstrap analysis of these theories. After reviewing the basics of fusion categories, we present the irreducible representations, the lasso maps that intertwine between different Hilbert spaces, and finally the 22-by-22 modular S matrix. We highlight the peculiarities introduced by the non-invertible nature of the symmetry. This paper is written in a pedagogical manner and can therefore serve as an accessible entry point into the literature.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Universality of the microcanonical entropy at large spin

We consider rigorous consequences of modular invariance for two-dimensional unitary non-rational CFTs with $c > 1$. Simple estimates for the torus partition function can lead to remarkably strong results. We show in particular that the spectral density of spin-$J$ operators must grow like $\exp\left( π\sqrt{\frac{2}{3}(c-1) J} \right)/\sqrt{2J}$ in any twist interval at or above $(c-1)/12$, with a known twist-dependent prefactor. This proves that the large $J$ spectrum becomes dense even without averaging over spins. For twists below $(c-1)/12$ we establish that the growth must be strictly slower. Finally, we estimate how fast the maximal gap between two spin-$J$ operators must go to zero as $J$ becomes large.

hep-th↗

arXiv2025

Bootstrapping frustrated magnets: the fate of the chiral ${\rm O}(N)\times {\rm O}(2)$ universality class

We study multiscalar theories with $\text{O}(N) \times \text{O}(2)$ symmetry. These models have a stable fixed point in $d$ dimensions if $N$ is greater than some critical value $N_c(d)$. Previous estimates of this critical value from perturbative and non-perturbative renormalization group methods have produced mutually incompatible results. We use numerical conformal bootstrap methods to constrain $N_c(d)$ for $3 \leq d < 4$. Our results show that $N_c> 3.78$ for $d = 3$. This favors the scenario that the physically relevant models with $N = 2,3$ in $d=3$ do not have a stable fixed point, indicating a first-order transition. Our result exemplifies how conformal windows can be rigorously constrained with modern numerical bootstrap algorithms.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Theorems for the Lightcone Bootstrap

Consider a conformally covariant four-point function of identical scalar operators with a discrete spectrum, a twist gap, and compatible with the unitarity conditions. We give a mathematical proof confirming that the spectrum and OPE coefficients at large spin and fixed twist always become that of a generalized free field theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

A bootstrap study of minimal model deformations

For QFTs in AdS the boundary correlation functions remain conformal even if the bulk theory has a scale. This allows one to constrain RG flows with numerical conformal bootstrap methods. We apply this idea to flows between two-dimensional CFTs, focusing on deformations of the tricritical and ordinary Ising model. We provide non-perturbative constraints for the boundary correlation functions of these flows and compare them with conformal perturbation theory in the vicinity of the fixed points. We also reproduce a completely general constraint on the sign of the $T\bar T$ deformation in two dimensions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Flat-space Partial Waves From Conformal OPE Densities

We consider the behavior of the OPE density $c(Δ,\ell)$ for conformal four-point functions in the flat-space limit where all scaling dimensions become large. We find evidence that the density reduces to the partial waves $f_\ell(s)$ of the corresponding scattering amplitude. The Euclidean inversion formula then reduces to the partial wave projection and the Lorentzian inversion formula to the Froissart-Gribov formula. The flat-space limit of the OPE density can however also diverge, and we delineate the domain in the complex $s$ plane where this happens. Finally we argue that the conformal dispersion relation reduces to an ordinary single-variable dispersion relation for scattering amplitudes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2024

Perturbative RG flows in AdS: an étude

We discuss general properties of perturbative RG flows in AdS with a focus on the treatment of boundary conditions and infrared divergences. In contrast with flat-space boundary QFT, general covariance in AdS implies the absence of independent boundary flows. We illustrate how boundary correlation functions remain conformally covariant even if the bulk QFT has a scale. We apply our general discussion to the RG flow between consecutive unitary diagonal minimal models which is triggered by the $ϕ_{(1,3)}$ operator. For these theories we conjecture a flow diagram whose form is significantly simpler than that in flat-space boundary QFT. In several stand-alone appendices we discuss two-dimensional BCFTs in general and the minimal model BCFTs in particular. These include both an extensive review as well as the computation of several new BCFT correlation functions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Constraining Glueball Couplings

We set up a numerical S-matrix bootstrap problem to rigorously constrain bound state couplings given by the residues of poles in elastic amplitudes. We extract upper bounds on these couplings that follow purely from unitarity, crossing symmetry, and the Roy equations within their proven domain of validity. First we consider amplitudes with a single spin 0 or spin 2 bound state, both with or without a self-coupling. Subsequently we investigate amplitudes with the spectrum of bound states corresponding to the estimated glueball masses of pure SU(3) Yang-Mills. In the latter case the 'glue-hedron', the space of allowed couplings, provides a first-principles constraint for future lattice estimates.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

Skydiving to Bootstrap Islands

We study families of semidefinite programs (SDPs) that depend nonlinearly on a small number of "external" parameters. Such families appear universally in numerical bootstrap computations. The traditional method for finding an optimal point in parameter space works by first solving an SDP with fixed external parameters, then moving to a new point in parameter space and repeating the process. Instead, we unify solving the SDP and moving in parameter space in a single algorithm that we call "skydiving". We test skydiving on some representative problems in the conformal bootstrap, finding significant speedups compared to traditional methods.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

QFT in AdS instead of LSZ

The boundary correlation functions for a QFT in a fixed AdS background should reduce to S-matrix elements in the flat-space limit. We consider this procedure in detail for four-point functions. With minimal assumptions we rigorously show that the resulting S-matrix element obeys a dispersion relation, the non-linear unitarity conditions, and the Froissart-Martin bound. QFT in AdS thus provides an alternative route to fundamental QFT results that normally rely on the LSZ axioms.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Snowmass White Paper: S-matrix Bootstrap

The S-matrix Bootstrap originated on the idea that the S-matrix might be fully constrained by global symmetries, crossing, unitarity, and analyticity without relying on an underlying dynamical theory that may or may not be a quantum field theory. Recently this approach was revived from a somewhat different point of view. Using the same constraints, one numerically maps out the (infinite-dimensional) space of allowed S-matrices that should contain all consistent quantum field theories (and quantum theories of gravity). Moreover, in the best case scenario one finds special points in the space that can be identified with a certain quantum field theory of interest. In that case, the approach allows the numerical computation of the S-matrix without relying on the particular Lagrangian of the theory. In this white paper we summarize the state of the art and discuss the future of the topic.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Bootstrapping boundary-localized interactions II: Minimal models at the boundary

We provide evidence for the existence of non-trivial unitary conformal boundary conditions for a three-dimensional free scalar field, which can be obtained via a coupling to the m'th unitary diagonal minimal model. For large m we can demonstrate the existence of the fixed point perturbatively, and for smaller values we use the numerical conformal bootstrap to obtain a sharp kink that smoothly matches onto the perturbative predictions. The wider numerical analysis also yields universal bounds for the spectrum of any other boundary condition for the free scalar field. A second kink in these bounds hints at a second class of non-standard boundary conditions, as yet unidentified.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Towards Bootstrapping RG flows: Sine-Gordon in AdS

The boundary correlation functions for a Quantum Field Theory (QFT) in an Anti-de Sitter (AdS) background can stay conformally covariant even if the bulk theory undergoes a renormalization group (RG) flow. Studying such correlation functions with the numerical conformal bootstrap leads to non-perturbative constraints that must hold along the entire flow. In this paper we carry out this analysis for the sine-Gordon RG flows in AdS$_2$, which start with a free (compact) scalar in the UV and end with well-known massive integrable theories that saturate many S-matrix bootstrap bounds. We numerically analyze the correlation functions of both breathers and kinks and provide a detailed comparison with perturbation theory near the UV fixed point. Our bounds are often saturated to one or two orders in perturbation theory, as well as in the flat-space limit, but not necessarily in between.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Regge trajectories for the (2,0) theories

We investigate the structure of conformal Regge trajectories for the maximally supersymmetric (2,0) theories in six dimensions. The different conformal multiplets in a single superconformal multiplet must all have similarly-shaped Regge trajectories. We show that these super-descendant trajectories interact in interesting ways, leading to new constraints on their shape. For the four-point function of the stress tensor multiplet supersymmetry also softens the Regge behavior in some channels, and consequently we observe that 'analyticity in spin' holds for all spins greater than -3. All the physical operators in this correlator therefore lie on Regge trajectories and we describe an iterative scheme where the Lorentzian inversion formula can be used to bootstrap the four-point function. Some numerical experiments yield promising results, with OPE data approaching the numerical bootstrap results for all theories with rank greater than one.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Line and surface defects for the free scalar field

For a single free scalar field in $d \geq 2$ dimensions, almost all the unitary conformal defects must be `trivial' in the sense that they cannot hold interesting dynamics. The only possible exceptions are monodromy defects in $d \geq 4$ and co-dimension three defects in $d \geq 5$. As an intermediate result we show that the $n$-point correlation functions of a conformal theory with a generalized free spectrum must be those of the generalized free theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Bootstrapping boundary-localized interactions

We study conformal boundary conditions for the theory of a single real scalar to investigate whether the known Dirichlet and Neumann conditions are the only possibilities. For this free bulk theory there are strong restrictions on the possible boundary dynamics. In particular, we find that the bulk-to-boundary operator expansion of the bulk field involves at most a `shadow pair' of boundary fields, irrespective of the conformal boundary condition. We numerically analyze the four-point crossing equations for this shadow pair in the case of a three-dimensional boundary (so a four-dimensional scalar field) and find that large ranges of parameter space are excluded. However a `kink' in the numerical bounds obeys all our consistency checks and might be an indication of a new conformal boundary condition.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Landau diagrams in AdS and S-matrices from conformal correlators

Quantum field theories in AdS generate conformal correlation functions on the boundary, and in the limit where AdS is nearly flat one should be able to extract an S-matrix from such correlators. We discuss a particularly simple position-space procedure to do so. It features a direct map from boundary positions to (on-shell) momenta and thereby relates cross ratios to Mandelstam invariants. This recipe succeeds in several examples, includes the momentum-conserving delta functions, and can be shown to imply the two proposals in arXiv:1607.06109 based on Mellin space and on the OPE data. Interestingly the procedure does not always work: the Landau singularities of a Feynman diagram are shown to be part of larger regions, to be called `bad regions', where the flat-space limit of the Witten diagram diverges. To capture these divergences we introduce the notion of Landau diagrams in AdS. As in flat space, these describe on-shell particles propagating over large distances in a complexified space, with a form of momentum conservation holding at each bulk vertex. As an application we recover the anomalous threshold of the four-point triangle diagram at the boundary of a bad region.

hep-th↗