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David Kutasov

Publications and source records attributed to David Kutasov.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2019

Strings, Symmetric Products, $T \bar{T}$ deformations and Hecke Operators

We derive a formula for the torus partition sum of the symmetric product of $T\bar T$ deformed CFT's, using previous work on long strings in (deformed) $AdS_3$, and universality. The result is given by an integral transform of the partition function for the block of the symmetric product, summed over its Hecke transforms, and is manifestly modular invariant. The spectrum is interpretable as a gas of multiply wound long strings with a particular orientation.

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arXiv2019

$T \bar{T},J \bar T$, $T \bar{J}$ Partition Sums From String Theory

We calculate the torus partition sum of a general $CFT_2$ with left and right moving conserved currents $J$ and $\bar J$, perturbed by a combination of the irrelevant operators $T\bar T$, $J\bar T$ and $T\bar J$. We use string theory techniques to write it as an integral transform of the partition sum of the unperturbed CFT with chemical potentials for the left and right moving conserved charges. The resulting expression transforms in the right way under the modular group, and reproduces the known spectrum of these models. We also derive a formula for the partition function of deformed $CFT_2$ with non-vanishing chemical potential.

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arXiv2019

$T\bar{T}$, $J\bar{T}$, $T\bar{J}$ and String Theory

We calculate the spectrum of a two dimensional CFT on a cylinder, perturbed by a general linear combination of $T\bar{T}$, $J\bar{T}$ and $T\bar{J}$, by utilizing the relation of this problem to certain solvable single trace current-current deformations of the worldsheet theory of strings on $AdS_3$. We show that this spectrum is well behaved (i.e. the energies are real) if and only if the dual bulk geometry is well behaved (i.e. the signature of the bulk spacetime is $(1,2)$ and there are no closed timelike curves). We also comment on the relations of string theory on $AdS_3$ and its deformations to symmetric product CFT's, matrix string theory, and a black hole description of highly excited fundamental strings.

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arXiv2019

Modular covariance and uniqueness of $J\bar{T}$ deformed CFTs

We study families of two dimensional quantum field theories, labeled by a dimensionful parameter $μ$, that contain a holomorphic conserved $U(1)$ current $J(z)$. We assume that these theories can be consistently defined on a torus, so their partition sum, with a chemical potential for the charge that couples to $J$, is modular covariant. We further require that in these theories, the energy of a state at finite $μ$ is a function only of $μ$, and of the energy, momentum and charge of the corresponding state at $μ=0$, where the theory becomes conformal. We show that under these conditions, the torus partition sum of the theory at $μ=0$ uniquely determines the partition sum (and thus the spectrum) of the perturbed theory, to all orders in $μ$, to be that of a $μJ\bar T$ deformed conformal field theory (CFT). We derive a flow equation for the $J\bar{T}$ deformed partition sum, and use it to study non-perturbative effects. We find non-perturbative ambiguities for any non-zero value of $μ$, and comment on their possible relations to holography.

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arXiv2019

Modular invariance and uniqueness of $T\bar{T}$ deformed CFT

Any two dimensional quantum field theory that can be consistently defined on a torus is invariant under modular transformations. In this paper we study families of quantum field theories labeled by a dimensionful parameter $t$, that have the additional property that the energy of a state at finite $t$ is a function only of $t$ and of the energy and momentum of the corresponding state at $t=0$, where the theory becomes conformal. We show that under this requirement, the partition sum of the theory at $t=0$ uniquely determines the partition sum (and thus the spectrum) of the perturbed theory, to all orders in $t$, to be that of a $T\bar T$ deformed CFT. Non-perturbatively, we find that for one sign of $t$ (for which the energies are real) the partition sum is uniquely determined, while for the other sign we find non-perturbative ambiguities. We characterize these ambiguities and comment on their possible relations to holography.

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arXiv2018

$J\bar{T}$ deformed $CFT_2$ and String Theory

We study two dimensional conformal field theory with a left-moving conserved current $J$, perturbed by an irrelevant, Lorentz symmetry breaking operator with the quantum numbers of $J\bar{T}$, using a combination of field and string theoretic techniques. We show that the spectrum of the theory has some interesting features, which may shed light on systems of interest for holography and black hole physics.

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arXiv2017

Holography Beyond 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 a certain irrelevant operator of dimension $(2,2)$. We show that for two point functions of local operators in the infrared CFT, conformal perturbation theory in this irrelevant operator has a finite radius of convergence in momentum space, and one can use it to flow up the renormalization group. The spectral density develops an imaginary part above a certain critical value of the spectral parameter; this appears to be related to the non-locality of the theory. In position space, conformal perturbation theory has a vanishing radius of convergence; the leading non-perturbative effect is an imaginary part of the two point function.

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arXiv2017

A Solvable Irrelevant Deformation of $AdS_3/CFT_2$

Recently we proposed a universal solvable irrelevant deformation of $AdS_3/CFT_2$ duality, which leads in the ultraviolet to a theory with a Hagedorn entropy [1]. In this note we provide a worldsheet description of this theory as a coset CFT, and compare its spectrum to the field theory predictions of [2,3].

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arXiv2016

Stringy Horizons II

We show that the spectrum of normalizable states on a Euclidean SL(2,R)/U(1) black hole exhibits a duality between oscillator states and wound strings. This duality generalizes the FZZ correspondence, which can be thought of as an identification between a normalizable mode of dilaton gravity and a mode of the tachyon with winding number one around the Euclidean time circle. It implies that normalizable states on a large Euclidean black hole have support at widely separated scales. In particular, localized states that are extended over the cap of the cigar (the Euclidian analog of the black hole atmosphere) have a component that is localized near the tip of the cigar (the analog of the stretched horizon). As a consequence of this duality, the states exhibit a transition as a function of radial excitation level. From the perspective of a low energy probe, low lying states are naturally thought of as oscillator states in the black hole atmosphere, while at large excitation level they are naturally described as wound strings. As the excitation level increases, the size of the states first decreases and then increases. This behavior is expected to be a general feature of black hole horizons in string theory.

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arXiv2015

Supersymmetric Renyi Entropy in $CFT_2$ and $AdS_3$

We show that in any two dimensional conformal field theory with (2, 2) supersymmetry one can define a supersymmetric analog of the usual Renyi entropy of a spatial region A. It differs from the Renyi entropy by a universal function (which we compute) of the central charge, Renyi parameter n and the geometric parameters of A. In the limit $n \to1$ it coincides with the entanglement entropy. Thus, it contains the same information as the Renyi entropy but its computation only involves correlation functions of chiral and anti-chiral operators. We also show that this quantity appears naturally in string theory on $AdS_3$.

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arXiv2015

Three-Charge Black Holes and Quarter BPS States in Little String Theory

We show that the system of $k$ NS5-branes wrapping $\mathbb{T}^4\times S^1$ has non-trivial vacuum structure. Different vacua have different spectra of 1/4 BPS states that carry momentum and winding around the $S^1$. In one vacuum, such states are described by black holes; in another, they can be thought of as perturbative BPS states in Double Scaled Little String Theory. In general, both kinds of states are present. We compute the degeneracy of perturbative BPS states exactly, and show that it differs from that of the corresponding black holes. We comment on the implication of our results to the black hole microstate program, UV/IR mixing in Little String Theory, string thermodynamics, the string/black hole transition, and other issues.

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arXiv2015

Constraining de Sitter Space in String Theory

We argue that the heterotic string does not have classical vacua corresponding to de Sitter space-times of dimension four or higher. The same conclusion applies to type II vacua in the absence of RR fluxes. Our argument extends prior supergravity no-go results to regimes of high curvature. We discuss the interpretation of the heterotic result from the perspective of dual type II orientifold constructions. Our result suggests that the genericity arguments used in string landscape discussions should be viewed with caution.

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arXiv2015

Stringy Horizons

We argue that classical $(α')$ effects qualitatively modify the structure of Euclidean black hole horizons in string theory. While low energy modes experience the geometry familiar from general relativity, high energy ones see a rather different geometry, in which the Euclidean horizon can be penetrated by an amount that grows with the radial momentum of the probe. We discuss this in the exactly solvable SL(2,R)/U(1) black hole, where it is a manifestation of the black hole/Sine-Liouville duality.

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arXiv2014

Comments on Quantum Higgs Vacua

We study two-dimensional N=(4,4) supersymmetric gauge theories which do not have classical Higgs branches, but are believed to have isolated quantum Higgs vacua. We provide arguments for the existence of such vacua based on brane dynamics in string theory and the supersymmetric partition sums of the gauge theories.

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arXiv2014

(0,2) Dynamics From Four Dimensions

We study (0,2) supersymmetric two-dimensional theories obtained by compactifying four-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric theories on a two-torus, with a magnetic field for a global U(1) symmetry, and present evidence that Seiberg duality in four dimensions leads to an identification of different models of this type.

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arXiv2014

(0,2) ADE Models From Four Dimensions

Four dimensional N=1 supersymmetric gauge theories with unitary gauge groups and matter in the adjoint and fundamental representations give rise to a series of non-trivial fixed points with an ADE classification. Many of these models exhibit generalizations of Seiberg duality. Upon compactification on a two-torus with suitable background fields for global U(1) symmetries, they flow at long distances to two dimensional theories with (0,2) supersymmetry. We study these theories, focusing on the two dimensional analogs of the four dimensional dualities.

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arXiv2014

Exceptional N=1 Duality

Four dimensional N=1 supersymmetric gauge theory with gauge group SU(N_c) and matter in the adjoint and fundamental representations gives rise to a series of fixed points with an ADE classification. The A and D series exhibit generalizations of Seiberg duality. We propose a similar duality for the E7 theory.

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