arXiv subjects

Herman Verlinde

Publications and source records attributed to Herman Verlinde.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Poking Holes in AdS/CFT: Bulk Fields from Boundary States

We propose an intrinsic CFT definition of local bulk operators in AdS3/CFT2 in terms of twisted Ishibashi boundary states. The bulk field Phi(X) creates a cross cap, a circular hole with opposite edge points identified, in the CFT space-time. The size of the hole is parameterized by the holographic radial coordinate y. Our definition is state-independent, non-perturbative, and does not presume or utilize a semi-classical bulk geometry. We argue that, at large central charge, the matrix element between highly excited states satisfies the bulk wave equation in the AdS black hole background.

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arXiv2014

Conformal Bootstrap, Universality and Gravitational Scattering

We use the conformal bootstrap equations to study the non-perturbative gravitational scattering between infalling and outgoing particles in the vicinity of a black hole horizon in AdS. We focus on irrational 2D CFTs with large $c$ and only Virasoro symmetry. The scattering process is described by the matrix element of two light operators (particles) between two heavy states (BTZ black holes). We find that the operator algebra in this regime is (i) universal and identical to that of Liouville CFT, and (ii) takes the form of an exchange algebra, specified by an R-matrix that exactly matches with the scattering amplitude of 2+1 gravity. The R-matrix is given by a quantum 6j-symbol and the scattering phase by the volume of a hyperbolic tetrahedron. We comment on the relevance of our results to scrambling and the holographic reconstruction of the bulk physics near black hole horizons.

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arXiv2014

Covariant Non-Commutative Space-Time

We introduce a covariant non-commutative deformation of 3+1-dimensional conformal field theory. The deformation depends on a short-distance scale \ell_p, and thus breaks scale invariance, but preserves all space-time isometries. The non-commutative algebra is defined on space-times with non-zero constant curvature, i.e. dS_4 or AdS_4. The construction makes essential use of the representation of CFT tensor operators as polynomials in an auxiliary polarization tensor. The polarization tensor takes active part in the non-commutative algebra, which for dS_4 takes the form of so(5,1), while for AdS_4 it assembles into so(4,2). The structure of the non-commutative correlation functions hints that the deformed theory contains gravitational interactions and a Regge-like trajectory of higher spin excitations.

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arXiv2013

Geometric RG Flow

We define geometric RG flow equations that specify the scale dependence of the renormalized effective action Gamma[g] and the geometric entanglement entropy S[x] of a QFT, considered as functionals of the background metric g and the shape x of the entanglement surface. We show that for QFTs with AdS duals, the respective flow equations are described by Ricci flow and mean curvature flow. For holographic theories, the diffusion rate of the RG flow is much larger, by a factor R_{AdS}^2/\ell_s^2, than the RG resolution length scale. To derive our results. we employ the Hamilton-Jacobi equations that dictate the dependence of the total bulk action and the minimal surface area on the geometric QFT boundary data.

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arXiv2013

Behind the Horizon in AdS/CFT

We extend the recent proposal of Papadodimas and Raju of a CFT construction of operators inside the black hole interior to arbitrary non-maximally mixed states. Our construction builds on the general prescription given in earlier work, based on ideas from quantum error correction. We indicate how the CFT state dependence of the interior modes can be removed by introducing an external system, such as an observer, that is entangled with the CFT.

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arXiv2013

Gravity Amplitudes from a Gaussian Matrix Model

We reformulate MHV scattering amplitudes in 4D gauge theory and supergravity as correlation functions of bilinear operators in a supersymmetric gaussian matrix model. The model retains the symmetries of an S(4) of radius L and the matrix variables are represented as linear operators acting on a finite-dimensional Hilbert space. Bilinear fields of the model generate a current algebra. In the large N double scaling limit where l_pl ~ L / sqrt(N) is held fixed, there is an emergent flat 4D space-time with a built in short distance cutoff.

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arXiv2013

Bekenstein-Hawking Entropy as Topological Entanglement Entropy

Black holes in 2+1 dimensions enjoy long range topological interactions similar to those of non-abelian anyon excitations in a topologically ordered medium. Using this observation, we compute the topological entanglement entropy of BTZ black holes, via the established formula S_top = log(S^a_0), with S_b^a the modular S-matrix of the Virasoro characters chi_a(tau). We find a precise match with the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. This result adds a new twist to the relationship between quantum entanglement and the interior geometry of black holes. We generalize our result to higher spin black holes, and again find a detailed match. We comment on a possible alternative interpretation of our result in terms of boundary entropy.

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arXiv2013

Passing through the Firewall

We propose that black hole information is encoded in non-local correlations between microscopic interior and exterior degrees of freedom. We give a simple qubit representation of this proposal, and show herein that for every black hole state, the apparent firewall can be removed via a universal, state independent unitary transformation. A central element in our discussion is the distinction between virtual qubits, which are in a specified vacuum state, and real qubits, that carry the free quantum information of the black hole. We outline how our proposal may be realized in AdS/CFT

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arXiv2013

Black Hole Information as Topological Qubits

The principle of balanced holography, introduced in [1], posits that black hole information is stored in non-local correlations between the interior and exterior. Based on this concept, we propose that black hole information decomposes into elementary units in the form of topological qubits, and is protected from local sources of decoherence. The topological protection mechanism ensures that the horizon of an evaporating black hole stays young and smooth.

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arXiv2012

Black Hole Entanglement and Quantum Error Correction

It was recently argued by Almheiri et al that black hole complementarity strains the basic rules of quantum information theory, such as monogamy of entanglement. Motivated by this argument, we develop a practical framework for describing black hole evaporation via unitary time evolution, based on a holographic perspective in which all black hole degrees of freedom live on the stretched horizon. We model the horizon as a unitary quantum system with finite entropy, and do not postulate that the horizon geometry is smooth. We then show that, with mild assumptions, one can reconstruct local effective field theory observables that probe the black hole interior, and relative to which the state near the horizon looks like a local Minkowski vacuum. The reconstruction makes use of the formalism of quantum error correcting codes, and works for black hole states whose entanglement entropy does not yet saturate the Bekenstein-Hawking bound. Our general framework clarifies the black hole final state proposal, and allows a quantitative study of the transition into the "firewall" regime of maximally mixed black hole states.

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arXiv2012

Instantons, Twistors, and Emergent Gravity

Motivated by potential applications to holography on space-times of positive curvature, and by the successful twistor description of scattering amplitudes, we propose a new dual matrix formulation of N = 4 gauge theory on S(4). The matrix model is defined by taking the low energy limit of a holomorphic Chern-Simons theory on CP(3|4), in the presence of a large instanton flux. The theory comes with a choice of S(4) radius L and a parameter N controlling the overall size of the matrices. The flat space variant of the 4D effective theory arises by taking the large N scaling limit of the matrix model, with l_pl^2 ~ L^2 / N held fixed. Its massless spectrum contains both spin one and spin two excitations, which we identify with gluons and gravitons. As shown in the companion paper, the matrix model correlation functions of both these excitations correctly reproduce the corresponding MHV scattering amplitudes. We present evidence that the scaling limit defines a gravitational theory with a finite Planck length. In particular we find that in the l_pl -> 0 limit, the matrix model makes contact with the CSW rules for amplitudes of pure gauge theory, which are uncontaminated by conformal supergravity. We also propose a UV completion for the system by embedding the matrix model in the physical superstring.

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arXiv2011

Super Yang-Mills Theory as a Twistor Matrix Model

We introduce a covariant finite regulator for N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory on S^4. Our formulation is based on holomorphic Chern-Simons theory on twistor space. By switching on a large background flux, the twistor space dissolves into a fuzzy geometry, with a finite number of points. The large N continuum limit of the matrix model naturally approaches ordinary N = 4 SYM. We comment on the relation between our model and the 4D quantum Hall effect.

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arXiv2010

Evidence for F(uzz) Theory

We show that in the decoupling limit of an F-theory compactification, the internal directions of the seven-branes must wrap a non-commutative four-cycle S. We introduce a general method for obtaining fuzzy geometric spaces via toric geometry, and develop tools for engineering four-dimensional GUT models from this non-commutative setup. We obtain the chiral matter content and Yukawa couplings, and show that the theory has a finite Kaluza-Klein spectrum. The value of 1/alpha_(GUT) is predicted to be equal to the number of fuzzy points on the internal four-cycle S. This relation puts a non-trivial restriction on the space of gauge theories that can arise as a limit of F-theory. By viewing the seven-brane as tiled by D3-branes sitting at the N fuzzy points of the geometry, we argue that this theory admits a holographic dual description in the large N limit. We also entertain the possibility of constructing string models with large fuzzy extra dimensions, but with a high scale for quantum gravity.

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arXiv2010

Loop and surface operators in N=2 gauge theory and Liouville modular geometry

Recently, a duality between Liouville theory and four dimensional N=2 gauge theory has been uncovered by some of the authors. We consider the role of extended objects in gauge theory, surface operators and line operators, under this correspondence. We map such objects to specific operators in Liouville theory. We employ this connection to compute the expectation value of general supersymmetric 't Hooft-Wilson line operators in a variety of N=2 gauge theories.

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arXiv2009

Holographic Gauge Mediation

We discuss gravitational backgrounds where supersymmetry is broken at the end of a warped throat, and the SUSY-breaking is transmitted to the Standard Model via gauginos which live in (part of) the bulk of the throat geometry. We find that the leading effect arises from splittings of certain "messenger mesons," which are adjoint KK-modes of the D-branes supporting the Standard Model gauge group. This picture is a gravity dual of a strongly coupled field theory where SUSY is broken in a hidden sector and transmitted to the Standard Model via a relative of semi-direct gauge mediation.

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arXiv2008

A Massive Study of M2-brane Proposals

We test the proposals for the worldvolume theory of M2-branes by studying its maximally supersymmetric mass-deformation. We check the simplest prediction for the mass-deformed theory on N M2-branes: that there should be a set of discrete vacua in one-to-one correspondence with partitions on N. For the mass-deformed Lorentzian three-algebra theory, we find only a single classical vacuum, casting doubt on its M2-brane interpretation. For the mass-deformed ABJM theory, we do find a discrete set of solutions, but these are more numerous than predicted. We discuss possible resolutions of this puzzling discrepancy. We argue that the classical vacuum solutions of the mass-deformed ABJM theory display properties of fuzzy three-spheres, as expected from their gravitational dual interpretation.

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arXiv2008

D2 or M2? A Note on Membrane Scattering

Motivated by a physical interpretation of its correlation functions as membrane scattering amplitudes, we re-address whether the Lorentzian BLG theory can be quantized such that it preserves SO(8) superconformal symmetry. We find that this appears to be possible. While the model seems to adequately reproduce protected quantities such as chiral primary amplitudes and the four derivative effective action, we conclude that, as understood at present, it gives a relatively unpractical parametrization of the IR dynamics of M2-branes.

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arXiv2008

Supersymmetric Yang-Mills Theory From Lorentzian Three-Algebras

We show that by adding a supersymmetric Faddeev-Popov ghost sector to the recently constructed Bagger-Lambert theory based on a Lorentzian three algebra, we obtain an action with a BRST symmetry that can be used to demonstrate the absence of negative norm states in the physical Hilbert space. We show that the combined theory, expanded about its trivial vacuum, is BRST equivalent to a trivial theory, while the theory with a vev for one of the scalars associated with a null direction in the three-algebra is equivalent to a reformulation of maximally supersymmetric 2+1 dimensional Yang-Mills theory in which there a formal SO(8) superconformal invariance.

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