arXiv subjects

Chi-Ming Chang

Publications and source records attributed to Chi-Ming Chang.

50 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

Semiclassical OPE coefficients from 3D gravity

We present a closed form expression for the semiclassical OPE coefficients that are universal for all 2D CFTs with a "weak" light spectrum, by taking the semiclassical limit of the fusion kernel. We match this with a properly regularized and normalized bulk action evaluated on a geometry with three conical defects, analytically continued in the deficit angles beyond the range for which a metric with positive signature exists. The analytically continued geometry has a codimension-one coordinate singularity surrounding the heaviest conical defect. This singularity becomes a horizon after Wick rotating to Lorentzian signature, suggesting a connection between universality and the existence of a horizon.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

An Index for Ray Operators in 5d $E_n$ SCFTs

We construct an index for BPS operators supported on a ray in five dimensional superconformal field theories with exceptional global symmetries. We compute the $E_n$ representations (for $n=2,\dots,7$) of operators of low spin, thus verifying that while the expression for the index is only SO$(2n-2)\times$U(1) invariant, the index itself exhibits the full $E_n$ symmetry (at least up to the order we expanded). The ray operators we studied in 5d can be viewed as generalizations of operators constructed in a Yang-Mills theory with fundamental matter by attaching an open Wilson line to a quark. For $n\le 7$, in contrast to local operators, they carry nontrivial charge under the $\mathbb{Z}_{9-n}\subset E_n$ center of the global symmetry. The representations that appear in the ray operator index are therefore different, for $n\le 7$, from those appearing in the previously computed superconformal index. For $3\le n\le 7$, we find that the leading term in the index is a character of a minuscule representation of $E_n$. We also discuss the case $n=8$, which presents a unique technical challenge, and remains an open problem.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Bootstrapping 2D CFTs in the Semiclassical Limit

We study two dimensional conformal field theories in the semiclassical limit. In this limit, the four-point function is dominated by intermediate primaries of particular weights along with their descendants, and the crossing equations simplify drastically. For a four-point function receiving sufficiently small contributions from the light primaries, the structure constants involving heavy primaries follow a universal formula. Applying our results to the four-point function of the $\mathbb Z_2$ twist field in the symmetric product orbifold, we produce the Hellerman bound and the logarithmically corrected Cardy formula that is valid for $h \geq c/12$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Little String Amplitudes (and the Unreasonable Effectiveness of 6D SYM)

We study tree level scattering amplitudes of four massless states in the double scaled little string theory, and compare them to perturbative loop amplitudes in six-dimensional super-Yang-Mills theory. The little string amplitudes are computed from correlators in the cigar coset CFT and in N=2 minimal models. The results are expressed in terms of integrals of conformal blocks and evaluated numerically in the alpha' expansion. We find striking agreements with up to 2-loop scattering amplitudes of massless gluons in 6D SU(k) SYM at a Z_k invariant point on the Coulomb branch. We comment on the issue of UV divergence at higher loop orders in the gauge theory and discuss the implication of our results.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Deformations with Maximal Supersymmetries Part 1: On-shell Formulation

We study deformations of maximally supersymmetric gauge theories by higher dimensional operators in various spacetime dimensions. We classify infinitesimal deformations that preserve all 16 supersymmetries, while allowing the possibility of breaking either Lorentz or R-symmetry, using an on-shell algebraic method developed by Movshev and Schwarz. We also consider the problem of extending the deformation beyond the first order.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Deformations with Maximal Supersymmetries Part 2: Off-shell Formulation

Continuing our exploration of maximally supersymmetric gauge theories (MSYM) deformed by higher dimensional operators, in this paper we consider an off-shell approach based on pure spinor superspace and focus on constructing supersymmetric deformations beyond the first order. In particular, we give a construction of the Batalin-Vilkovisky action of an all-order non-Abelian Born-Infeld deformation of MSYM in the non-minimal pure spinor formalism. We also discuss subtleties in the integration over the pure spinor superspace and the relevance of Berkovits-Nekrasov regularization.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Non-Minimal Higher-Spin DS4/CFT3

We conjecture that the level k U(N) Chern-Simons theory coupled to free anticommuting scalar matter in the fundamental is dual to non-minmal higher-spin Vasiliev gravity in dS4 with parity-violating phase \theta0 = πN/2k and Neumann boundary conditions for the scalar. Related conjectures are made for fundamental commuting spinor matter and critical theories. This generalizes a recent conjecture relating the minimal Type A Vasiliev theory in dS4 to the Sp(N) model with fundamental real anti-commuting scalars.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

1/16 BPS States in N=4 SYM

We investigate the problem of counting 1/16 BPS operators in N=4 Super-Yang-Mills theory at weak coupling. We present the complete set of 1/16 BPS operators in the infinite N limit, which agrees with the counting of free BPS multi-graviton states in the gravity dual AdS5xS5. Further, we conjecture that all 1/16 BPS operators in N=4 SYM are of the multi-graviton form, and give numerical evidences for this conjecture. We discuss the implication of our conjecture and the seeming failure in reproducing the entropy of large 1/16 BPS black holes in AdS5.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

A semi-local holographic minimal model

We present a conjecture on the complete spectrum of single-trace operators in the infinite N limit of W(N) minimal model and evidences for the conjecture. We further propose that the holographic dual of W(N) minimal model in the 't Hooft limit is an unusual "semi-local" higher spin gauge theory on AdS3 x S^1. At each point on the S^1 lives a copy of three-dimensional Vasiliev theory, that contains an infinite tower of higher spin gauge fields coupled to a single massive complex scalar propagating in AdS3. The Vasiliev theories at different points on the S^1 are correlated only through the AdS3 boundary conditions on the massive scalars. All but one single tower of higher spin symmetries are broken by the boundary conditions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

ABJ Triality: from Higher Spin Fields to Strings

We demonstrate that a supersymmetric and parity violating version of Vasiliev's higher spin gauge theory in AdS$_4$ admits boundary conditions that preserve ${\cal N}=0,1,2,3,4$ or 6 supersymmetries. In particular, we argue that the Vasiliev theory with U(M) Chan-Paton and ${\cal N}=6$ boundary condition is holographically dual to the 2+1 dimensional $U(N)_k\times U(M)_{-k}$ ABJ theory in the limit of large $N,k$ and finite $M$. In this system all bulk higher spin fields transform in the adjoint of the U(M) gauge group, whose bulk t'Hooft coupling is $\frac{M}{N}$. Analysis of boundary conditions in Vasiliev theory allows us to determine exact relations between the parity breaking phase of Vasiliev theory and the coefficients of two and three point functions in Chern-Simons vector models at large $N$. Our picture suggests that the supersymmetric Vasiliev theory can be obtained as a limit of type IIA string theory in AdS$_4\times \mathbb{CP}^3$, and that the non-Abelian Vasiliev theory at strong bulk 't Hooft coupling smoothly turn into a string field theory. The fundamental string is a singlet bound state of Vasiliev's higher spin particles held together by U(M) gauge interactions. This is illustrated by the thermal partition function of free ABJ theory on a two sphere at large $M$ and $N$ even in the analytically tractable free limit. In this system the traces or strings of the low temperature phase break up into their Vasiliev particulate constituents at a U(M) deconfinement phase transition of order unity. At a higher temperature of order $T=\sqrt{\frac{N}{M}}$ Vasiliev's higher spin fields themselves break up into more elementary constituents at a U(N) deconfinement temperature, in a process described in the bulk as black hole nucleation.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Higher Spin Gravity with Matter in AdS_3 and Its CFT Dual

We study Vasiliev's system of higher spin gauge fields coupled to massive scalars in AdS_3, and compute the tree level two and three point functions. These are compared to the large N limit of the W_N minimal model, and nontrivial agreements are found. We propose a modified version of the conjecture of Gaberdiel and Gopakumar, under which the bulk theory is perturbatively dual to a subsector of the CFT that closes on the sphere.

hep-th↗

arXiv2012

Correlators in W_N Minimal Model Revisited

In this paper, we study a class of sphere and torus correlation functions in the W_N minimal model. In particular, we show that a large class of exact sphere three-point functions of W_N primaries, derived using affine Toda theory, exhibit large N factorization. This allows us to identify some fundamental particles and their bound states in the holographic dual, including light states. We also derive the torus two-point function of basic primaries, by directly constructing the relevant conformal blocks. The result can then be analytically continued to give the Lorentzian thermal two-point functions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2010

Families of Conformal Fixed Points of N=2 Chern-Simons-Matter Theories

We argue that a large class of N=2 Chern-Simons-matter theories in three dimensions have a continuous family of exact IR fixed points described by suitable quartic superpotentials, based on holomorphy. The entire family exists in the perturbative regime. A nontrivial check is performed by computing the 4-loop beta function of the quartic couplings, in the 't Hooft limit, with a large number of flavors. We find that the 4-loop beta function can only deform the family of 2-loop fixed points, and does not change the dimension of this family. We further present an explicit computation of a perturbative correction to the Zamolodchikov metric on this space of three-dimensional superconformal field theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2009

Interaction-induced first order correlation between spatially-separated 1D dipolar fermions

We calculate the ground-state properties of fermionic dipolar atoms or molecules in a one-dimensional double-tube potential by using the Luttinger liquid theory and the density matrix renormalization-group calculation. When the external field is applied near a magic angle with respect to the double-tube plane, the long-ranged dipolar interaction can generate a spontaneous correlation between fermions in different tubes, even when the bare intertube tunneling rate is negligibly small. Such interaction-induced correlation strongly enhances the contrast of the interference fringes and therefore can be easily observed in the standard time-of-flight experiment.

cond-mat.str-el↗