arXiv subjects

Claudio Corianò

Publications and source records attributed to Claudio Corianò.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Einstein Gauss-Bonnet Theories as Ordinary, Wess-Zumino Conformal Anomaly Actions

Recently, the possibility of evading Lovelock's theorem at $d=4$, via a singular redefinition of the dimensionless coupling of the Gauss-Bonnet term, has been very extensively discussed in the cosmological context. The term is added as a quadratic contribution of the curvature tensor to the Einstein-Hilbert action, originating theories of "Einstein Gauss-Bonnet" (EGB) type. We point out that the action obtained by the dimensional regularization procedure, implemented with the extraction of a single conformal factor, correspond just to an ordinary Wess-Zumino anomaly action, even though it is deprived of the contribution from the Weyl tensor. We also show that a purely gravitational version of the EGB theory can be generated by allowing a finite renormalization of the Gauss-Bonnet topological contribution at $d= 4 + ε$, as pointed out by Mazur and Mottola. The result is an effective action which is quadratic, rather then quartic, in the dilaton field, and scale free, compared to the previous derivations. The dilaton, in this case can be removed from the spectrum, leaving a pure gravitational theory, which is nonlocal. We comment on the physical meaning of the two types of actions, which may be used to describe such topological terms both below and above the conformal breaking scale.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Conformal field theory in momentum space and anomaly actions in gravity:The analysis of three- and four-point functions

After a brief outline of general aspects of conformal field theories in coordinate space, in a first part we review the solution of the conformal constraints of three- and four-point functions in momentum space in dimensions $d\geq 2$, in the form of conformal Ward identities (CWI's). We center our discussion on the analysis of correlators containing stress-energy tensors $(T)$, conserved currents $(J)$, and scalar operators $(O)$. For scalar four-point functions, we briefly discuss our method for determining the dual conformal solutions of such equations, identified only by the CWI's, and related to the conformal Yangian symmetry, introduced by us in previous work. In correlation functions with $T$ tensors, evaluated around a flat spacetime, the conformal anomaly is characterized by the (non-local) exchange of massless poles in specific form factors, a signature that has been investigated both in free field theory and non-perturbatively, by solving the conformal constraints. We discuss the anomaly effective action, and illustrate the derivation of the CWI's directly from its path integral definition and its Weyl symmetry, which is alternative to the standard operatorial approach used in conformal field theories in flat space. For two- and three-point functions, we elaborate on the matching of these types of correlators to free-field theories. Perturbative realizations of CFTs at one-loop provide the simplest expressions of the general solutions identified by the CWI's, for generic operators $T$, $J$, and scalars of specific scaling dimensions, by an appropriate choice of their field content. In a technical appendix we offer details on the reconstruction of the $TTO$ and $TTT$ correlators in the approach of Bzowski, McFadden and Skenderis, and specifically on the secondary Ward identities of the method, in order to establish a complete match with the perturbative description.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

The Conformal Anomaly Action to Fourth Order (4T) in $d=4$ in Momentum Space

We elaborate on the structure of the conformal anomaly effective action up to 4-th order, in an expansion in the gravitational fluctuations $(h)$ of the background metric, in the flat spacetime limit. For this purpose we discuss the renormalization of 4-point functions containing insertions of stress-energy tensors (4T), in conformal field theories in four spacetime dimensions with the goal of identifying the structure of the anomaly action. We focus on a separation of the correlator into its transverse/traceless and longitudinal components, applied to the trace and conservation Ward identities (WI) in momentum space. These are sufficient to identify, from their hierarchical structure, the anomaly contribution, without the need to proceed with a complete determination of all of its independent form factors. Renormalization induces sequential bilinear graviton-scalar mixings on single, double and multiple trace terms, corresponding to $R\square^{-1}$ interactions of the scalar curvature, with intermediate virtual massless exchanges. These dilaton-like terms couple to the conformal anomaly, as for the chiral anomalous WIs. We show that at 4T level a new traceless component appears after renormalization. We comment on future extensions of this result to more general backgrounds, with possible applications to non local cosmologies.

hep-th↗

arXiv2021

Does CMB Distortion Disfavour Intermediate Mass Dark Matter?

We investigate the published constraints on MACHOs in the mass region $10^2 - 10^5 M_{\odot}$ and their possible contribution to dark matter. We focus on constraints which rely on the accretion of matter which emits X-rays that can lead, after downgrading to microwaves, to distortion of the CMB spectrum and isotropy. The most questionable step in this chain of arguments is the use of overly simplified accretion models. We compare how the same accretion models apply to X-ray observations from supermassive black holes SMBHs, M87 and Sgr A*. The comparison of these two SMBHs with intermediate mass MACHOs suggests that the latter could, after all, provide the constituents of all the dark matter. We discuss the status of other constraints on IM-MACHOs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

Ultralight Axions Versus Primordial Black Holes

We reconsider entropy arguments which have been previously argued to support the idea that the dark matter constituents are primordial black holes with many solar masses. It has recently been shown that QCD axions which solve the strong CP problem may have masses $m_a$ in the extended range $10^{-3}eV > m_a > 10^{-33} eV$. Ultralight axions provide so many degrees of freedom that their entropy can exceed that of primordial black holes. This suggests that ultralight axions are more suited than primordial black holes to be constituents of dark matter.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Refined Mass Estimate for Bilepton Gauge Boson

Using the most recent experimental data on parameters of the standard electroweak theory, as well as renormalisation group equations with a boundary matching condition, we derive a refined and more accurate value for the mass of the doubly-charged bilepton ($Y^{\pm\pm}$) occurring in the spontaneous breaking of the gauge group $SU(3)_L \times U(1)_X$ to the standard electroweak gauge group $SU(2)_L \times U(1)_Y$. Our result is $M(Y^{\pm\pm}) = (1.29 \pm 0.06)$ TeV.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2021

Two-point function of the energy-momentum tensor and generalised conformal structure

Theories with generalised conformal structure contain a dimensionful parameter, which appears as an overall multiplicative factor in the action. Examples of such theories are gauge theories coupled to massless scalars and fermions with Yukawa interactions and quartic couplings for the scalars in spacetime dimensions other than 4. Many properties of such theories are similar to that of conformal field theories (CFT), and in particular their 2-point functions take the same form as in CFT but with the normalisation constant now replaced by a function of the effective dimensionless coupling $g$ constructed from the dimensionful parameter and the distance separating the two operators. Such theories appear in holographic dualities involving non-conformal branes and this behaviour of the correlators has already been observed at strong coupling. Here we present a perturbative computation of the two-point function of the energy-momentum tensor to two loops in dimensions $d= 3, 5$, confirming the expected structure and determining the corresponding functions of $g$ to this order, including the effects of renormalisation. We also discuss the d=4 case for comparison. The results for $d=3$ are relevant for holographic cosmology, and in this case we also study the effect of a $Φ^6$ coupling, which while marginal in the usual sense it is irrelevant from the perspective of the generalised conformal structure. Indeed, the effect of such coupling in the 2-point function is washed out in the IR but it modifies the UV.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Swampland Conjectures and Cosmological Expansion

Swampland conjectures (SCs) of string theory require that a constant cosmological constant $Λ$ be replaced by a time-dependent scalar-field quintessence with constrained parameters. The constraints limit the duration of the present expansion era because, although the SCs may be fulfilled at the present time, they will be violated at a finite time in the future allowing only an order-one number of e-foldings. In contrast, cyclic cosmology requires $\sim94$ e-foldings of the present universe before turnaround from expansion to contraction. This presents a dilemma to the original SCs. One possibility is that one of the SCs, the range conjecture, be significantly weakened. A second possibility, difficult to believe, is that cyclic cosmology vastly overestimates the number of e-foldings. A third possibility, which is the least disfavoured, is that string theory is not the correct theory of quantum gravity.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Conformal Unification in a Quiver Theory and Gravitational Waves

The detection of a stochastic background of gravitational waves can reveal details about first-order phase transitions (FOPTs) at a time of $10^{-13}s$ of the early universe. We specifically discuss quiver-type GUTs which avoid both proton decay and a desert hypothesis. A quiver based on $SU(3)^{12}$ which breaks at a $E=4000$ GeV to trinification $SU(3)^3$ has a much larger ($g_*=1,272$) number of effective massless degrees of freedom than the Standard Model. Assuming a FOPT for this model we investigate the strain sensitivity of this model for a wide range of FOPT parameters.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

Dark Matter with Light and Ultralight Stückelberg Axions

Scenarios with axion-like particles of variable masses, from the milli-eV range to ultralight, can be generated in a natural way in the context of effective field theory models with anomalous $U(1)$ gauge symmetries. They include dimension-5 operators which define a coupling of the axion to the gauge anomaly. They provide a realization, in the domain of ordinary gauge theories, of models for such particles, which evade the usual mass/coupling constraint of ordinary (Peccei-Quinn) axions and are natural dark matter candidates. As an illustration of these models, we present an overview of two of these scenarios. One of them is built around the next-to-minimal MSSM (NMSSM), a model called the USSM-A, which illustrates how the Stückelberg supermultiplet can be used to generate two dark matter candidates, a neutralino containing an axino component coming from the Stückelberg sector, plus the axion ($\textrm{Im}\, b$). The real component of the complex Stückelberg field carries dilaton-like ($\textrm{Re}\, b\, FF$) interactions. In a second model, non-supersymmetric, the Stückelberg scale is raised up to the GUT epoch. In this case the axion mass can be ultralight ($\sim 10^{-20}$ eV). The periodic potential generated at the GUT phase transition and the corresponding oscillations are related to a particle whose De Broglie wavelength can be sub-galactic. A similar analysis is also possible for the supersymmetric scenario.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2020

The Generalized Hypergeometric Structure of the Ward Identities of CFT's in Momentum Space in $d > 2$

We review the emergence of hypergeometric structures (of $F_4$ Appell functions) from the conformal Ward identities (CWIs) in conformal field theories (CFTs) in dimensions $d > 2$. We illustrate the case of scalar 3- and 4-point functions. 3-point functions are associated to hypergeometric systems with 4 independent solutions. For symmetric correlators they can be expressed in terms of a single 3K integral - functions of quadratic ratios of momenta - which is a parametric integral of three modified Bessel $K$ functions. In the case of scalar 4-point functions, by requiring the correlator to be conformal invariant in coordinate space as well as in some dual variables (i.e. dual conformal invariant), its explicit expression is also given by a 3K integral, or as a linear combination of Appell functions which are now quartic ratios of momenta. Similar expressions have been obtained in the past in the computation of an infinite class of planar ladder (Feynman) diagrams in perturbation theory, which, however, do not share the same (dual conformal/conformal) symmetry of our solutions. We then discuss some hypergeometric functions of 3 variables, which define 8 particular solutions of the CWIs and correspond to Lauricella functions. They can also be combined in terms of 4K integral and appear in an asymptotic description of the scalar 4-point function, in special kinematical limits.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

Anomalous Gravitational TTT Vertex, Temperature Inhomogeneity, and Pressure Anisotropy

The conformal anomaly in curved spacetime generates a nontrivial anomalous vertex, given by the three-point correlation function $TTT$ of the energy-momentum tensor $T^{μν}$. We show that a temperature inhomogeneity in a gas of charged massless particles generates, via the $TTT$ vertex, a pressure anisotropy with respect to the axis of the temperature variation. This very particular signature may provide an experimental access to the elusive gravitational coefficient $b$ which determines the anomaly contribution of the Weyl tensor to the trace of the energy-momentum tensor in curved spacetime. We present an estimate of the pressure anisotropy both for fermionic quasiparticles in the solid-state environment of Dirac semimetals as well as for a quark-gluon plasma in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. In both cases, the pressure anisotropy is small compared to the mean thermal pressure.

hep-th↗

arXiv2020

An Axion-Like Particle from an $SO(10)$ Seesaw with $U(1)_X$

We investigate the decoupling of heavy right handed neutrinos in the context of an SO(10) GUT model, where a remnant anomalous symmetry is $U(1)_{X}$. In this model the see-saw mechanism which generates the neutrino masses is intertwined with the Stueckelberg mechanism, which leaves the CP-odd phase of a very heavy Higgs in the low energy spectrum as an axion-like particle. Such pseudoscalar is predicted to be ultralight, in the $10^{-20}$ eV mass range. In this scenario, the remnant anomalous $X$ symmetry of the particles of the Standard Model is interpreted as due to the incomplete decoupling of the right handed neutrino sector. We illustrate this scenario including its realisation in the context of SO(10).

hep-ph↗

arXiv2019

Four-Point Functions in Momentum Space: Conformal Ward Identities in the Scalar/Tensor case

We derive and analyze the conformal Ward identities (CWI's) of a tensor 4-point function of a generic CFT in momentum space. The correlator involves the stress-energy tensor $T$ and three scalar operators $O$ ($TOOO$). We extend the reconstruction method for tensor correlators from 3- to 4-point functions, starting from the transverse traceless sector of the $TOOO$. We derive the structure of the corresponding CWI's in two different sets of variables, relevant for the analysis of the 1-to-3 (1 graviton $\to$ 3 scalars) and 2-to-2 (graviton + scalar $\to$ two scalars) scattering processes. The equations are all expressed in terms of a single form factor. In both cases, we discuss the structure of the equations and their possible behaviors in various asymptotic limits of the external invariants. A comparative analysis of the systems of equations for the $TOOO$ and those for the $OOOO$, both in the general (conformal) and dual-conformal/conformal (dcc) cases, is presented. We show that in all the cases the Lauricella functions are homogenous solutions of such systems of equations, also described as parametric 4K integrals of modified Bessel functions.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

Holographic Principle, Cosmological Constant and Cyclic Cosmology

The holographic principle provides a deep insight into quantum gravity and resolves the fine-tuning crisis concerning the cosmological constant. Holographic dark energy introduces new ultra-violet (UV) and infra-red (IR) cutoffs into quantum gravity which are necessarily strongly related. The equation of state for dark energy $ω= p/ρ$ is discussed from the holographic point of view. The phantom option of $ω< -1$ is resurrected, as in an earlier cyclic cosmology. Such a cyclic model can, however, equally use the cosmological constant with $ω= -1$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2019

On Some Hypergeometric Solutions of the Conformal Ward Identities of Scalar 4-point Functions in Momentum Space

We discuss specific hypergeometric solutions of the conformal Ward identities (CWI's) of scalar 4-point functions of primary fields in momentum space, in $d$ spacetime dimensions. We determine such solutions using various dual conformal ansätze (DCA's). We start from a generic dual conformal correlator, and require it to be conformally covariant in coordinate space. The two requirements constrain such solutions to take a unique hypergeometric form. They describe correlators which are at the same time conformal and dual conformal in any dimension. These specific ansätze also show the existence of a link between 3- and 4-point functions of a CFT for such class of exact solutions, similarly to what found for planar ladder diagrams. We show that in $d=4$ only the box diagram and its melonic variants, in free field theory, satisfies such conditions, the remaining solutions being nonperturbative. We then turn to the analysis of some approximate high energy fixed angle solutions of the CWI's which also in this case take the form of generalized hypergeometric functions. We show that they describe the behaviour of the 4-point functions at large energy and momentum transfers, with a fixed $-t/s$. The equations, in this case, are solved by linear combinations of Lauricella functions of 3 variables and can be rewritten as generalized 4K integrals. In both cases the CWI's alone are sufficient to identify such solutions and their special connection with generalized hypergeometric systems of equations.

hep-th↗

arXiv2019

Exact Correlators from Conformal Ward Identities in Momentum Space and Perturbative Realizations

The general solution of the conformal Ward identities (CWI's) in momentum space, and their matching to perturbation theory, allows to uncover some specific characteristics of the breaking of conformal symmetry, induced by the anomaly. It allows to compare perturbative features of the 1-particle irreducible (1PI, nonlocal) anomaly action with the prediction of a similar (but exact) nonlocal action identified by the CWI's. The two predictions can be exactly matched at the level of 3-point functions. The analysis of the $TJJ$ and $TTT$ shows that both approaches - based either on 1PI or on the exact solutions of the CWI's - predict massless (dynamical) scalar exchanges in 3-point functions as the signature of the conformal anomaly. In a local formulation such 1PI actions exhibit a ghost in the spectrum which may induce ghost condensation. We also discuss alternative approaches, which take to Wess-Zumino forms of the action with an asymptotic dilaton, which should be considered phenomenological alternatives to the exact nonlocal action. If derived by a Weyl gauging, they also include a ghost in the spectrum. The two formulations, nonlocal and of WZ type, can be unified under the assumption that they describe the same anomaly phenomenon at two separate (UV/IR) ends of the renormalization group flow, possibly separated by a vacuum rearrangement at an intermediate scale. A similar analysis is presented for an $\mathcal{N}=1$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. We comment on the possibile cosmological implications of such quasi Nambu-Goldstone modes as ultralight dilatons and axions.

hep-ph↗

arXiv1996

NLO Conformal Symmetry in the Regge Limit of QCD

We show that a scale invariant approximation to the next-to-leading order BFKL kernel, constructed via transverse momentum diagrams, has a simple conformally invariant representation in impact parameter space i.e. K(r1,r2,r1',r2') = g^4 N^2 ln^4[(|r1-r1'||r2-r2'|)/(|r1-r2'||r2-r1'|)] That a conformally invariant representation exists is shown first by relating the kernel directly to Feynman diagrams contributing to two photon diffractive dissociation.

hep-ph↗