Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

David Kutasov

Publications and source records attributed to David Kutasov.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Interpolating between single and double trace $T\bar T$ by moving LST into the bulk

We describe a large class of theories that continuously interpolate between single and double trace $T\bar T$ deformations of AdS$_3$/CFT$_2$. It is obtained by starting with the spacetime $M_3$, which interpolates between AdS$_3$ in the IR and a linear dilaton spacetime in the UV, and imposing a UV cutoff on the radial direction. When the cutoff is deep in the AdS$_3$ region of $M_3$, this leads to double trace $T\bar T$. When it goes to infinity, we recover the single trace deformed theory. We present a large class of possible boundary conditions on the dilaton, and compute the resulting black hole spectrum in a few examples. In all these constructions, to leading order in the low energy expansion, the resulting spectrum is that of a single $+$ double trace deformed CFT, but at higher orders the different theories have different spectra. In one of the examples that we analyze, the full theory is single $+$ double trace $T\bar T$ deformed CFT. Another gives rise to an interesting spectrum, that consists of an infinite set of energy bands.

hep-th↗
arXiv2026

On Cosmological Singularities in String Theory

We study the time evolution of a $3+1$ dimensional spacetime, where space is a large three-sphere, due to small perturbations of the background fields. We focus on two classes of deformations. One corresponds on the worldsheet to time-dependent non-abelian Thirring deformations. The other to perturbations of the radius of the three-sphere. In the former case, we find that small deformations generically lead to big-bang and big-crunch singularities, near which the spacetime becomes highly anisotropic. We argue that string theory likely resolves these singularities. In the latter case, general solutions have the property that the radius of the three-sphere goes to infinity at a finite time, but there are no solutions in which it collapses to zero. We also discuss the interplay of these spacetime properties with the corresponding worldsheet RG flows.

hep-th↗
arXiv2025

Horowitz-Polchinski Solutions at Large $k$

In arXiv:2509.02905 [hep-th], we introduced an approximation that allows one to study Horowitz-Polchinski backgrounds beyond the weak coupling regime. In this paper we describe the resulting solutions, and discuss a few related issues.

hep-th↗
arXiv2025

From Horowitz -- Polchinski to Thirring and Back

We propose a new approach for studying $d+1$ dimensional Euclidean Schwarzschild black holes with Hawking temperature near the Hagedorn temperature and Horowitz-Polchinski solutions. The worldsheet theory that describes some of these backgrounds is strongly coupled. We use its underlying affine $SU(2)_L\times SU(2)_R$ symmetry to continue to weak coupling, by varying the level of the current algebra from the small value relevant for black holes and HP solutions to a large value. In this limit, one can describe the dynamics by a solvable effective field theory, and the non-geometric features of the original problem are geometrized. The resulting construction is closely related to previous work on the non-abelian Thirring model, and sheds light on both problems.

hep-th↗
arXiv2025

Effective $AdS_3/CFT_2$

In arXiv:2109.00065, it was pointed out that superstring theory on $AdS_3$ with $(NS,NS)$ $B$-field background and $R_{AdS}/l_s=\sqrt k<1$ is dual to a symmetric product CFT deformed by an operator in the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ twisted sector. We generalize the analysis of arXiv:2109.00065 to $k>1$, and show that the resulting picture matches that discussed in the bosonic case in arXiv:2110.07535. We argue that in the critical case, $k=1$ hep-th/0503121, the $\mathbb{Z}_2$ twisted deformation remains non-trivial. This resolves some confusions in the literature.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

CFT Correlators from (0,2) Heterotic String

In \cite{Giveon:2024fhz}, we argued that the (0,2) heterotic string gives rise in spacetime to left and right-moving symmetric product CFT's. In this paper we confirm this claim by showing that it computes correlation functions in these CFT's.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

N=2 Heterotic Strings Revisited

We show that $1+1$ dimensional vacua of the $(0,2)$ heterotic string have many properties in common with more recently studied physical systems. The free theory exhibits a symmetric product CFT structure. The single-string Hilbert space splits into sectors labeled by the string winding, $w$, that contain purely left-moving (for $w>0$) and right-moving (for $w<0$) excitations. These sectors exhibit infinite-dimensional left and right-moving symmetry algebras, respectively, with central extensions that depend on $w$. String interactions between left and right-movers appear to lead to a $T\bar T$ deformation of the free theory.

hep-th↗
arXiv2023

On Time-Dependent Backgrounds In 1+1 Dimensional String Theory

In perturbative string theory, one is generally interested in asymptotic observables, such as the S-matrix in flat spacetime, and boundary correlation functions in anti-de Sitter spacetime. However, there are backgrounds in which such observables do not exist. We study examples of such backgrounds in 1+1 dimensional string theory. In these examples, the Liouville wall accelerates and can become spacelike in the past and/or future. When that happens, the corresponding null infinity, at which the standard scattering states are defined, is shielded by the Liouville wall. We compute scattering and particle production amplitudes in these backgrounds in the region in parameter space where the wall remains timelike, and discuss the continuation of this picture to the spacelike regime. We also discuss the physics from the point of view of the dynamics of free fermions in backgrounds with a time-dependent Fermi surface.

hep-th↗
arXiv2023

Comments on Single-Trace $T\bar T$ Holography

We explore the holographic duality between string theory in backgrounds that interpolate between asymptotically linear dilaton spacetime in the UV and $AdS_3$ in the IR, and single-trace $T\bar T$ deformed CFT. In particular, we explain how the deformation of states in the boundary theory is reflected in the bulk geometry, and show that the coupling above which the deformed energy of the $SL(2,\mathbb{R})$ invariant ground state of the IR CFT becomes complex is a maximal coupling.

hep-th↗
arXiv2022

On Small Black Holes in String Theory

We discuss the worldsheet sigma-model whose target space is the $d+1$ dimensional Euclidean Schwarzschild black hole. We argue that in the limit where the Hawking temperature of the black hole, $T$, approaches the Hagedorn temperature, $T_H$, it can be described in terms of a generalized version of the Horowitz-Polchinski effective theory. For $d\geq6$, where the Horowitz-Polchinski EFT [1,2] does not have suitable solutions, the modified effective Lagrangian allows one to study the black hole CFT in an expansion in powers of $d-6$ and $T_H-T$. At $T=T_H$, the sigma model is non-trivial for all $d>6$. It exhibits an enhanced $SU(2)$ symmetry, and is described by a non-abelian Thirring model with a radially dependent coupling. The resulting picture connects naturally to the results of [3-5], that relate Schwarzschild black holes in flat spacetime at large $d$ to the two dimensional black hole. We also discuss an analogous open string system, in which the black hole is replaced by a system of two separated D-branes connected by a throat. In this system, the asymptotic separation of the branes plays the role of the inverse temperature. At the critical separation, the system is described by a Kondo-type model, which again exhibits an enhanced $SU(2)$ symmetry. At large $d$, the brane system gives rise to the hairpin brane [6].

hep-th↗
arXiv2022

Winding Tachyons and Stringy Black Holes

We study string theory on $\mathbb{R}^d\times \mathbb{S}^1$. For applications to thermodynamics, the circumference of the $\mathbb{S}^1$ is the inverse temperature, $β$. We show that for $d=6$, the low energy effective field theory at the inverse Hagedorn temperature, $β=β_H$, has a one parameter family of normalizable spherically symmetric solutions that break the winding symmetry around the $\mathbb{S}^1$. The resulting backgrounds exhibit an enhanced symmetry, with the symmetry breaking pattern $SU(2)_L\times SU(2)_R\to SU(2)_{\rm diagonal}$. The effective field theory analysis of these backgrounds is reliable for some range of parameters. More generally, they are described by a worldsheet CFT, which corresponds to the free theory on $\mathbb{R}^6\times \mathbb{S}^1$ perturbed by a non-abelian Thirring deformation with an $r$-dependent coupling. We propose that, in a certain scaling limit, string theory in these backgrounds is described by the $SL(2,\mathbb{R})/U(1)$ cigar, and provides a thermodynamic description of weakly coupled highly excited fundamental strings. We also discuss the relation of these backgrounds to Euclidean black holes with near-Hagedorn Hawking temperature, and possible generalizations to other $d$.

hep-th↗
arXiv2022

Asymptotically Free AdS3/CFT2

We propose a new $AdS_3/CFT_2$ duality, in which the bulk string theory has a target spacetime $AdS_3$ times a squashed three-sphere $S^3_\flat$, and the dual $CFT_2$ is a symmetric product of sigma models on $R_ϕ\times S^3_\flat$, deformed by a $ϕ$-dependent $Z_2$ twist operator. The duality maps the asymptotic region of $AdS_3$ to the region $ϕ\to\infty$, where the twist interaction in the $CFT_2$ turns off. The $AdS_3$ backgrounds in question have $R_{AdS}<\ell_s$, and so lie on the string side of the string/black hole correspondence transition. As a consequence, the high energy density of states consists of a string gas in $AdS_3$ rather than an ensemble of BTZ black holes. This property allows us to derive the dual $CFT_2$ by a systematic analysis of the worldsheet string theory on $AdS_3$.

hep-th↗
arXiv2020

Comments on D3-Brane Holography

We revisit the idea that the quantum dynamics of open strings ending on $N$ D3-branes in the large $N$ limit can be described at large `t Hooft coupling by classical closed string theory in the background created by the D3-branes in asymptotically flat spacetime. We study the resulting thermodynamics and compute the Hagedorn temperature and other properties of the D3-brane worldvolume theory in this regime. We also consider the theory in which the D3-branes are replaced by negative branes and show that its thermodynamics is well behaved. We comment on the idea that this theory can be thought of as an irrelevant deformation of $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM, and on its relation to $T\bar T$ deformed $CFT_2$.

hep-th↗
arXiv2020

Strings in Irrelevant Deformations of $AdS_3/CFT_2$

We generalize our recent analysis [2006.13249] of probe string dynamics to the case of general single-trace $T\bar T$, $J\bar T$ and $T\bar J$ deformations. We show that in regions in coupling space where the bulk geometry is smooth, the classical trajectories of such strings are smooth and approach the linear dilaton boundary at either the far past or the far future. These trajectories give rise to quantum scattering states with arbitrarily high energies. When the bulk geometry has closed timelike curves (CTC's), the trajectories are singular for energies above a critical value $E_c$. This singularity occurs in the region with CTC's, and the value of $E_c$ agrees with that read off from the dual boundary theory for all values of the couplings and charges.

hep-th↗
arXiv2020

$T\bar T$, Black Holes and Negative Strings

String theory on $AdS_3$ has a solvable single-trace irrelevant deformation that is closely related to $T\bar T$. For one sign of the coupling, it leads to an asymptotically linear dilaton spacetime, and a corresponding Hagedorn spectrum. For the other, the resulting spacetime has a curvature singularity at a finite radial location, and an upper bound on the energies of states. Beyond the singularity, the signature of spacetime is flipped and there is an asymptotically linear dilaton boundary at infinity. We study the properties of black holes and fundamental strings in this spacetime, and find a sensible picture. The singularity does not give rise to a hard ultraviolet wall for excitations -- one must include the region beyond it to understand the theory. The size of black holes diverges as their energy approaches the upper bound, as does the location of the singularity. Fundamental strings pass smoothly through the singularity, but if their energy is above the upper bound, their trajectories are singular. From the point of view of the boundary at infinity, this background can be thought of as a vacuum of Little String Theory which contains a large number of negative strings.

hep-th↗
arXiv2020

$T\bar T$ and LST

It was recently shown that the theory obtained by deforming a general two dimensional conformal theory by the irrelevant operator $T\bar T$ is solvable. In the context of holography, a large class of such theories can be obtained by studying string theory on $AdS_3$. We show that a certain $T\bar T$ deformation of the boundary $CFT_2$ gives rise in the bulk to string theory in a background that interpolates between $AdS_3$ in the IR and a linear dilaton spacetime in the UV, i.e. to a two dimensional vacuum of Little String Theory. This construction provides holographic duals for a large class of vacua of string theory in asymptotically linear dilaton spacetimes, and sheds light on the UV behavior of $T\bar T$ deformed $CFT_2$. It may provide a step towards holography in flat spacetime.

hep-th↗
arXiv2020

Entanglement Beyond $\rm AdS$

We continue our study of string theory in a background that interpolates between $AdS_3$ in the infrared and a linear dilaton spacetime $R^{1,1}\times R_ϕ$ in the UV. This background corresponds via holography to a $CFT_2$ deformed by an operator of dimension $(2,2)$. We discuss the structure of spatial entanglement in this model, and compare it to the closely related $T\bar T$ deformed $CFT_2$.

hep-th↗