arXiv subjects

Himanshu Raj

Publications and source records attributed to Himanshu Raj.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Mass deformations of 5d SCFTs via holography

Using six-dimensional Euclidean $F(4)$ gauged supergravity we construct a holographic renormalization group flow for a CFT on $S^5$. Numerical solutions to the BPS equations are obtained and the free energy of the theory on $S^5$ is determined holographically by calculation of the renormalized on-shell supergravity action. In the process, we deal with subtle issues such as holographic renormalization and addition of finite counterterms. We then propose a candidate field theory dual to these solutions. This tentative dual is a supersymmetry-preserving deformation of the strongly-coupled non-Lagrangian SCFT derived from the D4-D8 system in string theory. In the IR, this theory is a mass deformation of a $USp(2N)$ gauge theory. A localization calculation of the free energy is performed for this IR theory, which for reasonably small values of the deformation parameter is found to match with the free energy calculated holographically.

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arXiv2017

A note on sphere free energy of $p$-form gauge theory and Hodge duality

We consider a free $p$-form gauge theory on a $d$-dimensional sphere of radius $R$ and calculate its free energy. We perform the calculation for generic values of $p$ and obtain the free energy as a function of $d, p$ and $R$. The result contains a $\log R$ term with coefficient proportional to $\left(2p+2-d \right)$, which is consistent with lack of conformal invariance for $p$ form theories in dimensions other than $2p+2$. We also compare the result for $p$-form and $(d-p-2)$-form theory which are classically Hodge dual to each other in $d$ dimensions and find that they agree for odd values of $d$. Instead, for even $d$, we find that the results disagree by an amount that is consistent with the reported values in the literature.

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arXiv2017

On non-supersymmetric conformal manifolds: field theory and holography

We discuss the constraints that a conformal field theory should enjoy to admit exactly marginal deformations, i.e. to be part of a conformal manifold. In particular, using tools from conformal perturbation theory, we derive a sum rule from which one can extract restrictions on the spectrum of low spin operators and on the behavior of OPE coefficients involving nearly marginal operators. We then consider conformal field theories admitting a gravity dual description, and as such a large-$N$ expansion. We discuss the relation between conformal perturbation theory and loop expansion in the bulk, and show how such connection could help in the search for conformal manifolds beyond the planar limit. Our results do not rely on supersymmetry, and therefore apply also outside the realm of superconformal field theories.

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arXiv2017

Janus solutions in six-dimensional gauged supergravity

Motivated by an analysis of the sub-superalgebras of the five-dimensional superconformal algebra $F(4)$, we search for the holographic duals to co-dimension one superconformal defects in 5d CFTs which have $SO(4,2) \oplus U(1)$ bosonic symmetry. In particular, we look for domain wall solutions to six-dimensional $F(4)$ gauged supergravity coupled to a single vector multiplet. It is found that supersymmetric domain wall solutions do not exist unless there is a non-trivial profile for one of the vector multiplet scalars which is charged under the gauged $SU(2)$ R-symmetry. This non-trivial profile breaks the $SU(2)$ to $U(1)$, thus matching expectations from the superalgebra analysis. A consistent set of BPS equations is then obtained and solved numerically. While the numerical solutions are generically singular and thought to be dual to boundary CFTs, it is found that for certain fine-tuned choices of parameters regular Janus solutions may be obtained.

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arXiv2017

Broken current anomalous dimensions, conformal manifolds and RG flows

We consider deformations of a conformal field theory that explicitly break some global symmetries of the theory. If the deformed theory is still a conformal field theory, one can exploit the constraints put by conformal symmetry to compute broken currents anomalous dimensions. We consider several instances of this scenario, using field theory techniques and also holographic ones, where necessary. Field theoretical methods suffice to discuss examples of symmetry-breaking deformations of the $O(N )$ model in $d=4-ε$ dimensions. Holography is instrumental, instead, for computing current anomalous dimensions in $β$-deformed superconformal field theories, and in a class of supersymmetric RG flows at large $N$.

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arXiv2016

Scalar Multiplet Recombination at Large N and Holography

We consider the coupling of a free scalar to a single-trace operator of a large N CFT in d dimensions. This is equivalent to a double-trace deformation coupling two primary operators of the CFT, in the limit when one of the two saturates the unitarity bound. At leading order, the RG-flow has a non-trivial fixed point where multiplets recombine. We show this phenomenon in field theory, and provide the holographic dual description. Free scalars correspond to singleton representations of the AdS algebra. The double-trace interaction is mapped to a boundary condition mixing the singleton with the bulk field dual to the single-trace operator. In the IR, the singleton and the bulk scalar merge, providing just one long representation of the AdS algebra.

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arXiv2015

A goldstino at the bottom of the cascade

Working within a five-dimensional consistent truncation of type IIB supergravity dimensionally reduced on $T^{1,1}$, we consider supersymmetry breaking solutions with the asymptotics of the supersymmetric Klebanov-Strassler background. There exists a two-parameter family of such solutions. Within this family, we show that those (and only those) solutions related to antiD-branes at the tip of the conifold correspond to dual field theory vacua where a goldstino mode is present and supercurrent Ward identities hold. Our findings do not depend on the IR singularity of the dual backgrounds, nor on its resolution. As such, they constitute an independent, necessary check for the existence of supersymmetry breaking vacua in the conifold cascading gauge theory. Our analysis relies on a holographic derivation of the Ward identities which has a wider applicability, beyond the specific system and symmetries considered here.

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arXiv2014

On the smoothness of multi center coplanar black hole and membrane horizons

We study the differentiability of the metric and other fields at any of the horizons of multi center Reissner-Nordstrom black hole solutions in $d \ge 5$ and of multi center $M2$ brane solutions. The centers are distributed in a plane in transverse space, hence termed coplanar. We construct the Gaussian null co-ordinate system for the neighborhood of a horizon by solving the geodesic equations in expansions of (appropriate powers of) the affine parameter. Organizing the harmonic functions that appear in the solution in terms of what can be called generalized Gegenbauer polynomials is key to obtaining the solution to the geodesic equations in a compact and manageable form. We then compute the metric and other fields in the Gaussian null co-ordinate system and find that the differentiability of the coplanar solution is \emph{identical to} the differentiability of the collinear solution (centers distributed on a line in transverse space). The results of this paper thus run counter to a suggestion in the literature that posits reduction in the degree of smoothness to accompany reduction in symmetries. We end the paper with a conjecture on the degree of smoothness of the most general multi center solution, the one with centers distributed arbitrarily and hence possessing no transverse spatial isometries.

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