arXiv subjects

Chris D. White

Publications and source records attributed to Chris D. White.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Celestial soft dressings from generalised Wilson lines

In this review article, we revisit the connection between dressing of scattering states in quantum electrodynamics by clouds of soft photons, and their dressing by (generalised) Wilson line operators. In particular, we show that the leading and subleading soft conformal dressings considered in the context of celestial holography can be straightforwardly obtained from generalised Wilson lines, and that this only requires knowledge of the asymptotic behaviour of the photon field near null and timelike infinity.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

A spinorial double copy for ${\cal N}=0$ supergravity

The Weyl double copy is a formula relating solutions of scalar, gauge and gravity theories, and is related to the BCJ double copy for scattering amplitudes. The latter relates Yang-Mills theory to ${\cal N}=0$ supergravity, where an axion and dilaton are present in addition to the graviton. However, the traditional Weyl double copy applies only to pure gravity solutions, such that it remains to be seen whether or not it can be extended to the full spectrum of ${\cal N}=0$ supergravity. We examine this question using recently developed twistor methods, showing that some sort of double copy formula for ${\cal N}=0$ supergravity is indeed possible for certain solutions. However, it differs both from the traditional Weyl double copy form, and recent conjectures aimed at generalising the Weyl double copy to non-vacuum solutions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

The SAGEX Review on Scattering Amplitudes, Chapter 12: Amplitudes and collider physics

We explore how various topics in modern scattering amplitudes research find application in the description of collider physics processes. After a brief review of experimentally measured quantities and how they are related to amplitudes, we summarise recent developments in perturbative QFT, and how they have impacted our ability to do precision physics with colliders. Next, we explain how the study of (next-to-)soft radiation is directly relevant to increasing theoretical precision for key processes at the LHC and related experiments. Finally, we describe the various techniques that are used to turn theoretical calculations into something more closely approaching the output of a particle accelerator.

hep-th↗

arXiv2023

The SAGEX Review on Scattering Amplitudes

This is an introduction to, and invitation to read, a series of review articles on scattering amplitudes in gauge theory, gravity, and superstring theory. Our aim is to provide an overview of the field, from basic aspects to a selection of current (2022) research and developments.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Mini-twistors and the Cotton Double Copy

The double copy relates quantities in gauge, gravity and related theories. A well-known procedure for relating exact classical solutions is the Weyl double copy in four spacetime dimensions, and a three-dimensional analogue of this -- the Cotton double copy -- has recently been found for topologically massive gauge theory and gravity. In this paper, we use twistor methods to provide a derivation of the position-space Cotton double copy, where this is seen to arise from combining appropriate data in so-called minitwistor space. Our methods rely on a massive generalisation of the Penrose transform linking spacetime fields with cohomology classes in minitwistor space. We identify the relevant transform from the twistor literature, but also show that it naturally arises from considering scattering amplitudes in momentum space. We show that the Cotton double copy in position space is only valid for type N solutions, but that a simple twistor space double copy is possible for non-type N solutions, where we use anyons to illustrate our arguments.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Why is the Weyl double copy local in position space?

The double copy relates momentum-space scattering amplitudes in gauge and gravity theories. It has also been extended to classical solutions, where in some cases an exact double copy can be formulated directly in terms of products of fields in position space. This is seemingly at odds with the momentum-space origins of the double copy, and the question of why exact double copies are possible in position space and when this form will break has remained largely unanswered. In this paper, we provide an answer to this question, using a recently developed twistorial formulation of the double copy. We show that for certain vacuum type-D solutions, the momentum-space, twistor-space and position-space double copies amount to the same thing, and are directly related by integral transforms. Locality in position space is ultimately a consequence of the very special form of momentum-space three-point amplitudes, and we thus confirm suspicions that local position-space double copies are possible only for highly algebraically-special spacetimes.

hep-th↗

arXiv2022

Non-perturbative aspects of the self-dual double copy

The double copy is by now a firmly-established correspondence between amplitudes and classical solutions in biadjoint scalar, gauge and gravity theories. To date, no strongly coupled examples of the double copy in four dimensions have been found, and previous attempts based on exact non-linear solutions of biadjoint theory in Lorentzian signature have failed. In this paper, we instead look for biadjoint solutions in Euclidean signature, which may be relatable to Yang-Mills or gravitational instantons. We show that spherically symmetric power-like Euclidean solutions do not exist in precisely four spacetime dimensions. The explanation for why this is the case turns out to involve the Eguchi-Hanson instanton, whose single copy structure is found to be more complicated (and interesting) than previously thought. We provide a more general prescription for double-copying instantons, and explain how our results provide a higher-dimensional complement to a recently presented non-perturbative double copy of exact solutions in two spacetime dimensions. In doing so, we demonstrate how the replacement of colour by kinematic Lie algebras operates at the level of exact classical solutions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Alternative formulations of the twistor double copy

The classical double copy relating exact solutions of biadjoint scalar, gauge and gravity theories continues to receive widespread attention. Recently, a derivation of the exact classical double copy was presented, using ideas from twistor theory, in which spacetime fields are mapped to Cech cohomology classes in twistor space. A puzzle remains, however, in how to interpret the twistor double copy, in that it relies on somehow picking special representatives of each cohomology class. In this paper, we provide two alternative formulations of the twistor double copy using the more widely-used language of Dolbeault cohomology. The first amounts to a rewriting of the Cech approach, whereas the second uses known techniques for discussing spacetime fields in Euclidean signature. The latter approach indeed allows us to identify special cohomology representatives, suggesting that further application of twistor methods in exploring the remit of the double copy may be fruitful.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Boomerang webs up to three-loop order

Webs are sets of Feynman diagrams which manifest soft gluon exponentiation in gauge theory scattering amplitudes: individual webs contribute to the logarithm of the amplitude and their ultraviolet renormalization encodes its infrared structure. In this paper, we consider the particular class of boomerang webs, consisting of multiple gluon exchanges, but where at least one gluon has both of its endpoints on the same Wilson line. First, we use the replica trick to prove that diagrams involving self-energy insertions along the Wilson line do not contribute to the web, i.e. their exponentiated colour factor vanishes. Consequently boomerang webs effectively involve only integrals where boomerang gluons straddle one or more gluons that connect to other Wilson lines. Next we classify and calculate all boomerang webs involving semi-infinite non-lightlike Wilson lines up to three-loop order, including a detailed discussion of how to regulate and renormalize them. Furthermore, we show that they can be written using a basis of specific harmonic polylogarithms, that has been conjectured to be sufficient for expressing all multiple gluon exchange webs. However, boomerang webs differ from other gluon-exchange webs by featuring a lower and non-uniform transcendental weight. We cross-check our results by showing how certain boomerang webs can be determined by the so-called collinear reduction of previously calculated webs. Our results are a necessary ingredient of the soft anomalous dimension for non-lightlike Wilson lines at three loops.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Threshold resummation of new partonic channels at next-to-leading power

Collider observables involving heavy particles are subject to large logarithmic terms near threshold, which must be summed to all orders in perturbation theory to obtain sensible results. Relatively recently, this resummation has been extended to next-to-leading power in the threshold variable, using a variety of approaches. In this paper, we consider partonic channels that turn on only at next-to-leading power, and show that it is possible to resum leading logarithms using well-established diagrammatic techniques in Quantum Chromodynamics. We first consider deep inelastic scattering, where we reproduce the results of a recent study using an effective theory approach. Next, we consider the quark-gluon channel in both Drell-Yan and Higgs boson production, showing that an explicit all-order form for the leading logarithmic partonic cross section can be obtained. Our results agree with previous conjectures based on fixed-order results.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

The double copy of the multipole expansion

We consider the classical double copy, that relates solutions of biadjoint scalar, gauge and gravity theories. Using a recently developed twistor expression of this idea, we use well-established techniques to show that the multipole moments of arbitrary vacuum type D gravity fields are straightforwardly mapped to their counterparts in gauge and biadjoint scalar theory by the single and zeroth copies. We cross-check our results using previously obtained results for the Kerr metric. Our results provide further physical intuition of how the double copy operates.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

The single copy of the gravitational holonomy

The double copy is a well-established relationship between gravity and gauge theories. It relates perturbative scattering amplitudes as well as classical solutions, and recently there has been mounting evidence that it also applies to non-perturbative information. In this paper, we consider the holonomy properties of manifolds in gravity and prescribe a single copy of gravitational holonomy that differs from the holonomy in gauge theory. We discuss specific cases and give examples where the single copy holonomy group is reduced. Our results may prove useful in extending the classical double copy. We also clarify previous misconceptions in the literature regarding gravitational Wilson lines and holonomy.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

The double copy: from optics to quantum gravity

Recently, an intriguing relationship (the "double copy") has been discovered between theories like electromagnetism, and gravity. This potentially gives us a new way to think about gravity, and there are also practical applications involving the efficient calculation of gravitational observables, and also how to simulate gravity using optical systems. In this tutorial, we will review what is known about the double copy, and argue that now is the perfect time for researchers in optics and / or condensed matter to become interested in this fascinating correspondence.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2021

The Weyl double copy from twistor space

The Weyl double copy is a procedure for relating exact solutions in biadjoint scalar, gauge and gravity theories, and relates fields in spacetime directly. Where this procedure comes from, and how general it is, have until recently remained mysterious. In this paper, we show how the current form and scope of the Weyl double copy can be derived from a certain procedure in twistor space. The new formalism shows that the Weyl double copy is more general than previously thought, applying in particular to gravity solutions with arbitrary Petrov types. We comment on how to obtain anti-self-dual as well as self-dual fields, and clarify some conceptual issues in the twistor approach.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

What happened, and who cared? Evidencing research impact retrospectively

Higher Education Institutions in the UK and elsewhere are under increasing pressure to measure the impact of their research, which can include how the research has increased scientific engagement amongst the general public. For various reasons, the need for evidence can arise months, or even years, after a particular research discovery has been made. Furthermore, the right kind of evidence is needed to indicate genuine behavioural change amongst a given target audience, which can be difficult to obtain after time has passed. In this article, we present a number of strategies for retrospective evidencing of research engagement, and illustrate their use on example discoveries from up to five years ago.

physics.soc-ph↗

arXiv2020

A Twistorial Foundation for the Classical Double Copy

The classical double copy relates exact solutions of gauge, gravity and other theories. Although widely studied, its origins and domain of applicability have remained mysterious. In this letter, we show that a particular incarnation - the Weyl double copy - can be derived using well-established ideas from twistor theory. As well as explaining where the Weyl double copy comes from, the twistor formalism also shows that it is more general than previously thought.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

New heavenly double copies

The double copy relates scattering amplitudes and classical solutions in Yang-Mills theory, gravity, and related field theories. Previous work has shown that this has an explicit realisation in self-dual YM theory, where the equation of motion can be written in a form that maps directly to Plebański's heavenly equation for self-dual gravity. The self-dual YM equation involves an area-preserving diffeomorphism algebra, two copies of which appear in the heavenly equation. In this paper, we show that this construction is a special case of a wider family of heavenly-type examples, by (i) performing Moyal deformations, and (ii) replacing the area-preserving diffeomorphisms with a less restricted algebra. As a result, we obtain a double-copy interpretation for hyper-Hermitian manifolds, extending the previously known hyper-Kähler case. We also introduce a double-Moyal deformation of the heavenly equation. The examples where the construction of Lax pairs is possible are manifestly consistent with Ward's conjecture, and suggest that the classical integrability of the gravity-type theory may be guaranteed in general by the integrability of at least one of two gauge-theory-type single copies.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Topology and Wilson lines: global aspects of the double copy

The Kerr-Schild double copy relates exact solutions of gauge and gravity theories. In all previous examples, the gravity solution is associated with an abelian-like gauge theory object, which linearises the Yang-Mills equations. This appears to be at odds with the double copy for scattering amplitudes, in which the non-abelian nature of the gauge theory plays a crucial role. Furthermore, it is not yet clear whether or not global properties of classical fields - such as non-trivial topology - can be matched between gauge and gravity theories. In this paper, we clarify these issues by explicitly demonstrating how magnetic monopoles associated with arbitrary gauge groups can be double copied to the same solution (the pure NUT metric) in gravity. We further describe how to match up topological information on both sides of the double copy correspondence, independently of the nature of the gauge group. This information is neatly expressed in terms of Wilson line operators, and we argue through specific examples that they provide a useful bridge between the classical double copy and the BCJ double copy for scattering amplitudes.

hep-th↗