arXiv subjects

Ivo Sachs

Publications and source records attributed to Ivo Sachs.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2022

Analytical evaluation of AdS${}_4$ Witten diagrams as flat space multi-loop Feynman integrals

We describe a systematic approach for the evaluation of Witten diagrams for multi-loop scattering amplitudes of a conformally coupled scalar $ϕ^4$-theory in Euclidean AdS$_4$, by recasting the Witten diagrams as flat space Feynman integrals. We derive closed form expressions for the anomalous dimensions for all double-trace operators up to the second order in the coupling constant. We explain the relation between the flat space unitarity methods and the discontinuities of the short distance expansion on the boundary of Witten diagrams.

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arXiv2022

Dark Energy and the Spinning Superparticle

We revisit the theory of background fields constructed on the BRST-algebra of a spinning particle with $\mathcal{N}=4$ worldline supersymmetry, whose spectrum contains the graviton but no other fields. On a generic background, the closure of the BRST algebra implies the vacuum Einstein equations with a cosmological constant that is undetermined. On the other hand, in the "vacuum" background with no metric, the cohomology is given by a collection of free scalar- and vector fields. Only certain combinations of linear excitations, necessarily involving a vector field, can be extended beyond the linear level with the vector field inducing an Einstein metric.

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arXiv2021

Proca Theory from the Spinning Worldline

We obtain Proca field theory from the quantisation of the $\mathcal{N}=2$ supersymmetric worldline upon supplementing the graded BRST-algebra with an extra multiplet of oscillators. The linearised theory describes the BV-extended spectrum of Proca theory, together with a Stückelberg field. When coupling the theory to background fields we derive the Proca equations, arising as consistency conditions in the BRST procedure. We also explore non-abelian modifications, complexified vector fields as well as coupling to a dilaton field. We propose a cubic action on the space of BRST-operators which reproduces the known Proca action.

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arXiv2021

On deformations and extensions of $\text{Diff}(S^2)$

We investigate the algebra of vector fields on the sphere. First, we find that linear deformations of this algebra are obstructed under reasonable conditions. In particular, we show that $hs[λ]$, the one-parameter deformation of the algebra of area-preserving vector fields, does not extend to the entire algebra. Next, we study some non-central extensions through the embedding of $\mathfrak{v}\mathfrak{e}\mathfrak{c}\mathfrak{t}(S^2)$ into $\mathfrak{v}\mathfrak{e}\mathfrak{c}\mathfrak{t}(\mathbb{C}^*)$. For the latter, we discuss a three parameter family of non-central extensions which contains the symmetry algebra of asymptotically flat and asymptotically Friedmann spacetimes at future null infinity, admitting a simple free field realization.

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arXiv2021

QFT with Stubs

The BV-Laplacian $Δ$ in quantum field theory is singular, by construction, but can be regularized by deforming the classical BV-action. Taking inspiration from string theory we describe a non-local deformation of the latter by adding stubs to the interaction vertices while keeping classical BV-invariance manifest. This is achieved using a version of homotopy transfer resulting in a non-polynomial action for which the quantum master equation is now well defined and will be satisfied by adding additional vertices at loop level. The latter can be defined with the help of standard regularization schemes and is independent of the definition of $Δ$. In particular, the determination of anomalies reduces to the standard text-book calculation. Finally, we describe how the deformed (quantum) action can be obtained as a canonical transformation. As an example, we illustrate this procedure for quantum electrodynamics.

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arXiv2021

Loops in dS/CFT

We consider the semi-classical expansion of the Bunch-Davies wavefunction with future boundary condition in position space for a real scalar field, conformally coupled to a classical de Sitter background in the expanding Poincaré patch with quartic selfinteraction. In the future boundary limit the wave function takes the form of the generating functional of a Euclidean conformal field theory for which we calculate the anomalous dimensions of the double trace deformations at one loop order using results obtained from Euclidean Anti de Sitter space. We find analytic expressions for some subleading twist operators and an algorithm to obtain expressions for general twist.

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arXiv2020

A Worldline Theory for Supergravity

The $\cal{N}=4$ supersymmetric spinning particle admits several consistent quantizations, related to the gauging of different subgroups of the $SO(4)$ $R$-symmetry on the worldline. We construct the background independent BRST quantization for all of these choices which are shown to reproduce either the massless NS-NS spectrum of the string, or Einstein theory with or without the antisymmetric tensor field and/or dilaton corresponding to different restrictions. Quantum consistency of the worldline implies equations of motion for the background which, in addition to the admissible string backgrounds, admit Einstein manifolds with or whithout a cosmological constant. The vertex operators for the Kalb-Ramond, graviton and dilaton fields are obtained from the linear variations of the BRST charge. They produce the physical states by action on the diffeomorphism ghost states.

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arXiv2019

On Non-Perturbative Unitarity in Gravitational Scattering

We argue that the tree-level graviton-scalar scattering in the Regge limit is unitarized by non-perturbative effects within General Relativity. At Planckian energy the back reaction of the incoming graviton on the background geometry produces a non-perturbative plane wave which, in turn, softens the UV-behavior. Our amplitude then interpolates between the perturbative graviton-scalar scattering at low energy and scattering on a classical plane wave in the Regge limit.

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arXiv2019

On Finite-Size D-Branes in Superstring Theory

We test exact marginality of the deformation describing the blow-up of a zero-size D(-1) brane bound to a background of D3-branes by analyzing the equations of motion of superstring field theory to third order in the size. In the process we review the derivation of the instanton profile from string theory, extending it to include $α'$- corrections.

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arXiv2019

Classical Open String Amplitudes and Boundary String Field Theory

Abstract: We show that boundary string field theory realizes the minimal model of open string field theory. More precisely, we observe that the expansion of the (co)homological vector field, $Q$ of boundary string field theory in the cohomology of its linear part reproduces the S-matrices of perturbative string theory. In mathematical terms, boundary string field theory realizes the minimal model map of the cohomological perturbation lemma.

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arXiv2019

Homotopy Algebras in String Field Theory

Homotopy algebra and its involutive generalisation plays an important role in the construction of string field theory. I will review recent progress in these applications of homotopy algebra and its relation to moduli spaces.

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arXiv2019

Quantum $ϕ^4$ Theory in AdS${}_4$ and its CFT Dual

We compute the two- and four-point holographic correlation functions up to the second order in the coupling constant for a scalar $ϕ^4$ theory in four-dimensional Euclidean anti-de Sitter space. Analytic expressions for the anomalous dimensions of the leading twist operators are found at one loop, both for Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions.

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arXiv2018

Loops in Anti-de Sitter Space

We obtain analytic results for the four-point amplitude, at one loop, of an interacting scalar field theory in four-dimensional, Euclidean anti-de Sitter space without exerting any conformal field theory knowledge. For the two-point function, we provide analytic expressions up to two loops. In addition, we argue that the critical exponents of correlation functions near the conformal boundary of anti-de Sitter space provide the necessary data for the renormalization conditions, thus replacing the usual on-shell condition.

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arXiv2018

Complete superspace classification of three-dimensional Chern-Simons-matter theories coupled to supergravity

For extended $\mathcal{N}\leq 8$ supersymmetry we classify all possible gauge groups for a scalar multiplet allowed by the algebras of global and local supersymmetry in three dimensions. A detailed discussion of supersymmetry enhancement is included. For the corresponding topologically massive gravity with negative cosmological constant the mass of the graviton is determined algebraically as a function of $\mathcal{N}$ and the possible gauge couplings.

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arXiv2018

Einstein gravity from the ${\N=4}$ spinning particle

We obtain a manifestly background independent BRST quantization of the $\N=4$ supersymmetric spinning particle. We show that nilpotency of the BRST charge $Q$ implies the Einstein equations admitting a cosmological constant of indefinite sign. The physical graviton states are given by the vertex operator, obtained by an infinitesimal variation of $Q$, acting on diffeomorphism ghost states. In addition, the tree-point graviton scattering vertex is correctly reproduced by the worldline computation with these vertex operators.

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arXiv2018

$\mathbb{Z}_2$ boundary twist fields and the moduli space of D-branes

We revisit the boundary conformal field theory of twist fields. Based on the equivalence between twisted bosons on a circle and the orbifold theory at the critical radius, we provide a bosonized representation of boundary twist fields and thus a free field representation of the latter. One advantage of this formulation is that it considerably simplifies the calculation of correlation functions involving twist fields. At the same time this also gives access to higher order terms in the operator product expansions of the latter which, in turn, allows to explore the moduli space of marginal deformation of bound states of D-branes. In the process we also generalize some results on correlation functions with excited twist fields.

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arXiv2017

One Loop Tadpole in Heterotic String Field Theory

We compute the off-shell 1-loop tadpole amplitude in heterotic string field theory. With a special choice of cubic vertex, we show that this amplitude can be computed exactly. We obtain explicit and elementary expressions for the Feynman graph decomposition of the moduli space, the local coordinate map at the puncture as a function of the modulus, and the $b$-ghost insertions needed for the integration measure. Recently developed homotopy algebra methods provide a consistent configuration of picture changing operators. We discuss the consequences of spurious poles for the choice of picture changing operators.

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arXiv2017

Minimal $\cal N=4$ topologically massive supergravity

Using the superconformal framework, we construct a new off-shell model for $\cal N=4$ topologically massive supergravity which is minimal in the sense that it makes use of a single compensating vector multiplet and involves no free parameter. As such, it provides a counterexample to the common lore that two compensating multiplets are required within the conformal approach to supergravity with eight supercharges in diverse dimensions. This theory is an off-shell $\cal N=4$ supersymmetric extension of chiral gravity. All of its solutions correspond to non-conformally flat superspaces. Its maximally supersymmetric solutions include the so-called critical (4,0) anti-de Sitter superspace introduced in arXiv:1205.4622, and well as warped critical (4,0) anti-de Sitter superspaces. We also propose a dual formulation for the theory in which the vector multiplet is replaced with an off-shell hypermultiplet. Upon elimination of the auxiliary fields belonging to the hypermultiplet and imposing certain gauge conditions, the dual action reduces to the one introduced in arXiv:1605.00103.

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