arXiv subjects

Neil Lambert

Publications and source records attributed to Neil Lambert.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Quantum Effects in Supersymmetric Galilean Yang-Mills

We study the quantum dynamics of supersymmetric Galilean Yang-Mills (SGYM), with a focus on three dimensions where there is a classical scale symmetry. This is believed to be the worldvolume theory describing D2-branes within type IIA non-relativistic string theory and arises as a non-relativistic limit of maximally supersymmetric (relativistic) Yang-Mills. Unlike the relativistic case, we find that SGYM only admits perturbative dynamical excitations on the Coulomb branch. We show that in three dimensions the classical scale symmetry is broken at one-loop due to logarithmic divergences. These cannot be regulated without introducing additional marginal deformations, and we present evidence that the theory is asymptotically free once these are included. In particular our analysis suggests that three-dimensional SGYM flows to a strongly coupled non-relativistic M2-brane theory.

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arXiv2026

Compactifying the Sen Action: Six Dimensions

The Sen action for self-dual fields has been generalised by Hull to include two metrics which allows it to be defined on generic manifolds. In this paper we consider Kaluza-Klein compactifications of this action. The existence of two metrics presents novel challenges as there are two Kaluza-Klein towers of fields. We show that to find a consistent truncation one must include zero-modes associated to each of the two towers. Although this naively leads to a doubling of the massless degrees of freedom we show that on-shell this is not the case. We also discuss a deformation of the Sen action to include an additional form-field but which does not lead to new degrees of freedom on-shell but which arises naturally upon compactification.

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arXiv2025

Quantising Chiral Bosons On Riemann Surfaces

Sen's action in two dimensions governs a chiral boson coupled to a two-dimensional metric together with a second chiral boson that couples to a flat two-dimensional metric. This second scalar decouples from the physical degrees of freedom. The generalisation of this action to one in which the second chiral scalar couples to an arbitrary second metric is used to formulate the theory on an arbitrary two-dimensional manifold. We use this action with both metrics Riemannian (or complex) to formulate the path integral on any Riemann surface. We calculate the partition function in this way and check the result with that calculated using canonical quantisation, and then extend this to multiple chiral bosons. The partition function for chiral scalars taking values on a rational torus is a sum of terms, each of which is the product of two holomorphic functions, one a function of the modulus of the first metric and the other a function of the modulus of the second metric. In particular, for the case of chiral bosons moving on a torus defined by an even self-dual lattice, the partition function is a single product of two such holomorphic functions, not a sum of such terms. This is applied to the heterotic string to give a world-sheet action whose quantisation is modular invariant and free from anomalies. We discuss modular invariance for the moduli of both metrics and the extension to higher genus Riemann surfaces.

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arXiv2025

The CFT of Sen's Formulation of Chiral Gauge Fields

Sen's action for chiral bosons in 2 dimensions describes two chiral scalars, one of which couples to the physical metric and one of which couples to a flat metric. It has a generalisation in which the flat metric is replaced by an arbitrary second metric and so can be formulated on any curved world-sheet. When the two metrics are equal, the theory reduces to a $\beta \gamma$ system, giving a non-unitary $c=2$ conformal field theory. We argue that the relation between this and the theory of two chiral bosonic scalars of the same chirality can be viewed as a \lq bosonisation'. We show that the standard vertex operators for the chiral scalars are vertex operators and line operators in the Sen formulation and derive the formulation in the Sen theory of correlation functions in the chiral scalar theory. The flat space Sen theory can be coupled to two different world-sheet metrics in such a way that one scalar couples to one metric and the other to the other metric, so obtaining the general formulation with two metrics. In $d=4k+2$ dimensions, the bi-metric action for a $2k$-form gauge field with self-dual field strength reduces, when the two metrics are equal, to a conformal field theory with a $BF$-type action, except that $B$ is a self-dual $d/2$-form and $F$ is a $d/2$-form field strength, $F=dP$. The self-duality of $B$ means that this is not a topological theory but instead represents two self-dual gauge fields. This has a generalisation to a democratic action for $p$-form gauge fields in any dimension.

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arXiv2025

The M5-Brane Limit of Eleven-Dimensional Supergravity

We construct the M5-brane limit of eleven-dimensional supergravity. The resulting action is invariant under Galilean boosts and has a local scale symmetry. We also consider the limit of the equations of motion where we recover a Poisson-like equation arising from an M5-brane source but which does not follow from the non-relativistic action. We argue that the resulting theory describes gravitational fluctuations around a stack of M5-branes, represented by a trivial Minkowskian spacetime, but where the number of M5-branes is determined by the flux of a Lagrange multiplier field.

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arXiv2024

Reciprocal Non-Relativistic Decoupling Limits of String Theory and M-Theory

It has recently been realised that there are supersymmetry-preserving non-relativistic decoupling limits associated with each half-BPS object in String Theory and M-Theory. We argue that, given a $p$-brane and a $q$-brane for which there is a quarter-BPS intersecting configuration, the $p$-brane decoupling limit of the $q$-brane's worldvolume QFT is necessarily equal to the reciprocal $q$-brane decoupling limit of the $p$-brane's worldvolume theory. This is explicitly shown for the cases of the D0-D4 and D1-D3 systems. As an application of this idea, we use the reciprocal pair of limits in the M2-M5 system to describe the dynamics of interacting self-dual strings in the six-dimensional $\mathcal{N}=(2,0)$ theory. We also discuss the limits of the dual gravitational theories and, using symmetries, argue that the duality is maintained by the limits.

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arXiv2024

Non-Relativistic Intersecting Branes, Newton-Cartan Geometry and AdS/CFT

We discuss non-relativistic variants of four-dimensional ${\cal N}$=4 super-Yang-Mills theory obtained from generalised Newton-Cartan geometric limits of D3-branes in ten-dimensional spacetime. We argue that the natural interpretation of these limits is that they correspond to non-relativistic D1-branes or D3-branes intersecting the original D3-branes. The resulting gauge theories have dynamics that reduce to quantum mechanics on monopole moduli space or two-dimensional sigma-models on Hitchin moduli space respectively. We show that these theories possess interesting infinite-dimensional symmetries and we discuss the dual $AdS$ geometries.

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arXiv2024

Non-Relativistic M2-Branes and the AdS/CFT Correspondence

A non-relativistic limit of the AdS/CFT correspondence is studied in the context of M2-branes. On the field theory side this corresponds to a near-BPS limit of ABJM that localises onto solutions of Hitchin's equations. It is shown that the symmetries of the theory include an infinite-dimensional enhancement of the spatial symmetry algebra corresponding to time-dependent holomorphic transformations. Taking the limit of the gravitational dual splits the geometry into three 'large' directions and eight 'small' directions and corresponds to the Membrane-Newton-Cartan limit of eleven-dimensional supergravity. This has the effect of reducing the $AdS_4$ factor to an $AdS_2$ factor for the near-horizon limit of the M2-brane metric. Evidence is presented that the duality is maintained after the limit.

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arXiv2023

Duality and Fluxes in the Sen Formulation of Self-Dual Fields

In Sen's formulation of self-dual fields one finds two closed forms: $H^{(g)}$ and $H^{(s)}$. Only the former couples to sources and the spacetime metric. The latter has the wrong sign kinetic term but decouples and hence might be regarded as an unphysical artifact. In this letter we illustrate how an electromagnetic duality associated to the potential for $H^{(s)}$ gives rise to a T-like duality in the partition function for $H^{(g)}$. We then compute the partition function on a (4k+2)-dimensional torus highlighting its dependence on the choice of flux of $H^{(s)}$. Lastly we compute the two-point function of Wilson Surface operators.

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arXiv2022

RG Flows and Symmetry Enhancement in Five-Dimensional Lifshitz Gauge Theories

Lagrangian gauge theories with a z=2 Lifshitz scaling provide a family of interacting, asymptotically free five-dimensional field theories. We examine some of their quantum properties, extending previous results to include matter. We present no-go theorems that, in the absence of constraints, such theories cannot admit a spinorial supersymmetry or a boost symmetry. However, we argue that there exist renormalization group flows whose fixed points can admit supersymmetry and boosts, i.e. super-Schrodinger symmetry. We also present examples of Lifshitz gauge theories with a scalar supersymmetry.

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arXiv2021

Non-Lorentzian $SU(1,n)$ Spacetime Symmetry in Various Dimensions

We discuss non-Lorentzian Lagrangian field theories in $2n-1$ dimensions that admit an $SU(1,n)$ spacetime symmetry which includes a scaling transformation. These can be obtained by a conformal compactification of a $2n$-dimensional Minkowskian conformal field theory. We discuss the symmetry algebra, its representations including primary fields and unitarity bounds. We also give various examples of free theories in a variety of dimensions and a discussion of how to reconstruct the parent $2n$-dimensional theory.

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arXiv2021

A Path Integral for the Chiral-Form Partition Function

Starting from the recent action proposed by Sen [1,2], we evaluate the partition function of the compact chiral boson on a two-dimensional torus using a path-integral formulation. Crucially, we use a Wick-rotation procedure obtained from a complex deformation of the physical spacetime metric. This directly reproduces the expected result including general characteristics for the theta functions. We also present results for the chiral 2-form potential in six dimensions which can be readily extended to 4k+2 dimensions.

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arXiv2021

Gauging Discrete Symmetries of $T_N$-theories in Five Dimensions

We study the gauging of a discrete $\mathbb{Z}_3$ symmetry in the five-dimensional superconformal $T_N$ theories. We argue that this leads to an infinite sequence of five-dimensional superconformal theories with either $E_6 \times SU(N)$ or $SU(3)\times SU(N)$ global symmetry group. In the $M$-theory realisation of $T_N$ theories as residing at the origin in the Calabi-Yau orbifolds ${\mathbb{C}^3 \over {\mathbb{Z}_N \times \mathbb{Z}_N}}$ we identify the $\mathbb{Z}_3$ symmetry geometrically and the new theories arise from $M$-theory on the non-Abelian orbifolds $({\mathbb{C}^3 \over {\mathbb{Z}_N \times \mathbb{Z}_N}})/{\mathbb{Z}_3}$. On the other hand, in the $(p,q)$ 5-brane web description in Type IIB theory, the symmetry combines the $U$-duality symmetry with a rotation in space, defining a so-called $U$-fold background, where the $E_6$ symmetry is manifest.

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arXiv2021

Five-Dimensional Path Integrals for Six-Dimensional Conformal Field Theories

In this paper we derive Ward-Takahashi identities from the path integral of supersymmetric five-dimensional field theories with an $SU(1,3)$ spacetime symmetry in the presence of instantons. We explicitly show how $SU(1,3)$ is enhanced to $SU(1,3)\times U(1)$ where the additional $U(1)$ acts non-perturbatively. Solutions to such Ward-Takahashi identities were previously obtained from correlators of six-dimensional Lorentzian conformal field theories but where the instanton number was replaced by the momentum along a null direction. Here we study the reverse procedure whereby we construct correlation functions out of towers of five-dimensional operators which satisfy the Ward-Takahashi identities of a six-dimensional conformal field theory. This paves the way to computing observables in six dimensions using five-dimensional path integral techniques. We also argue that, once the instanton sector is included into the path integral, the coupling of the five-dimensional Lagrangian must be quantised, leaving no free continuous parameters.

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arXiv2021

Instanton Worldlines in Five-Dimensional $\Omega$-Deformed Gauge Theory

We discuss the Bosonic sector of a class of supersymmetric non-Lorentzian five-dimensional gauge field theories with an $SU(1,3)$ conformal symmetry. These actions have a Lagrange multiplier which imposes a novel $\Omega$-deformed anti-self-dual gauge field constraint. Using a generalised 't Hooft ansatz we find the constraint equation linearizes allowing us to construct a wide class of explicit solutions. These include finite action configurations that describe worldlines of anti-instantons which can be created and annihilated. We also describe the dynamics on the constraint surface.

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arXiv2020

Five-Dimensional Non-Lorentzian Conformal Field Theories and their Relation to Six-Dimensions

We study correlation functions in five-dimensional non-Lorentzian theories with an $SU(1,3)$ conformal symmetry. Examples of such theories have recently been obtained as $\Omega$-deformed Yang-Mills Lagrangians arising from a null reduction of six-dimensional superconformal field theories on a conformally compactified Minkowski space. The correlators exhibit a rich structure with many novel properties compared to conventional correlators in Lorentzian conformal field theories. Moreover, identifying the instanton number with the Fourier mode number of the dimensional reduction offers a hope to formulate six-dimensional conformal field theories in terms of five-dimensional Lagrangian theories. To this end we show that the Fourier decompositions of six-dimensional correlation functions solve the Ward identities of the the $SU(1,3)$ symmetry, although more general solutions are possible. Conversely we illustrate how one can reconstruct six-dimensional correlation functions from those of a five-dimensional theory, and do so explicitly at 2- and 3-points. We also show that, in a suitable decompactification limit $\Omega\to 0$, the correlation functions become those of the DLCQ description.

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arXiv2020

Non-Lorentzian Avatars of (1,0) Theories

We construct five-dimensional non-Lorentzian Lagrangian gauge field theories with an SU(1,3) conformal symmetry and 12 (conformal) supersymmetries. Such theories are interesting in their own right but can arise from six-dimensional (1,0) superconformal field theories on a conformally compactified Minkowski spacetime. In the limit that the conformal compactification is removed the Lagrangians we find give field theory formulations of DLCQ constructions of six-dimensional (1,0) conformal field theories.

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arXiv2020

Null Reductions of M5-Branes

We perform a general reduction of an M5-brane on a spacetime that admits a null Killing vector, including couplings to background 4-form fluxes and possible twisting of the normal bundle. We give the non-abelian extension of this action and present its supersymmetry transformations. The result is a class of supersymmetric non-lorentzian gauge theories in 4+1 dimensions, which depend on the geometry of the six-dimensional spacetime. These can be used for DLCQ constructions of M5-branes reduced on various manifolds.

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