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P. Sundell

Publications and source records attributed to P. Sundell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

FRW and domain walls in higher spin gravity

We present exact solutions to Vasiliev's bosonic higher spin gravity equations in four dimensions with positive and negative cosmological constant that admit an interpretation in terms of domain walls, quasi-instantons and Friedman-Robertson-Walker (FRW) backgrounds. Their isometry algebras are infinite dimensional higher-spin extensions of spacetime isometries generated by six Killing vectors. The solutions presented are obtained by using a method of holomorphic factorization in noncommutative twistor space and gauge functions. In interpreting the solutions in terms of Fronsdal-type fields in spacetime, a field-dependent higher spin transformation is required, which is implemented at leading order. To this order, the scalar field solves Klein-Gordon equation with conformal mass in (anti) de Sitter space. We interpret the FRW solution with de Sitter asymptotics in the context of inflationary cosmology and we expect that the domain wall and FRW solutions are associated with spontaneously broken scaling symmetries in their holographic description. We observe that the factorization method provides a convenient framework for setting up a perturbation theory around the exact solutions, and we propose that the nonlinear completion of particle excitations over FRW and domain wall solutions requires black hole-like states.

hep-th

Stability of non-homegeneous models and fine tuning of initial state

We apply phase space analysis to inhomogeneous cosmological model given by Lemaître-Tolman model. We describe some general conditions required to interpret the model stable enough and, in the present paper, apply them to two special cases: dust filled homogeneous model with and without cosmological constant. We find that such stability explaining all present astrophysical observations can not be achieved due to instabilities in phase space. This hints that non-homogeneous models are not likely to be physically viable, although any conclusive analysis requires more realistic modeling of non-homogeneous universe.

astro-ph.CO

On Singleton Composites in Non-compact WZW Models

We examine the so(2,D-1) WZW model at the subcritical level -(D-3)/2. It has a singular vacuum vector at Virasoro level 2. Its decoupling constitutes an affine extension of the equation of motion of the (D+1)-dimensional conformal particle, i.e. the scalar singleton. The admissible (spectrally flowed) representations contain the singleton and its direct products, consisting of massless and massive particles in AdS_D. In D=4 there exists an extended model containing both scalar and spinor singletons of sp(4). Its realization in terms of 4 symplectic-real bosons contains the spinor-oscillator constructions of the 4D singletons and their composites. We also comment on the prospects of relating gauged versions of the models to the phase-space quantization of partonic branes and higher-spin gauge theory.

hep-th

Singleton Strings

In this note, we briefly introduce singleton representations and discuss their relevance to the study of string and brane configurations in AdS space, their tensionless limit and the connection with higher-spin gauge theory. We then discuss the main properties of subcritical SO(D-1,2) WZW models featuring singletons and their composites as primary fields. After a suitable gauging, these models are good candidates for a fundamental, partonic description of tensionless branes in AdS. Their massless sector provides an affine Lie-algebraic setting for the study of higher-spin symmetries. Based on hep-th/0508124, hep-th/0701051 and work in progress.

hep-th

Brane Partons and Singleton Strings

We examine p-branes in AdS(D) in two limits where they exhibit partonic behavior: rotating branes with energy concentrated to cusp-like solitons; tensionless branes with energy distributed over singletonic partons on the Dirac hypercone. Evidence for a smooth transition from cusps to partons is found. First, each cusp yields D-2 normal-coordinate bound states with protected frequencies (for p>2 there are additional bound states); and can moreover be related to a short open p-brane whose tension diverges at the AdS boundary leading to a decoupled singular CFT at the ``brane at the end-of-the-universe''. Second, discretizing the closed p-brane and keeping the number N of discrete partons finite yields an sp(2N)-gauged phase-space sigma model giving rise to symmetrized N-tupletons of the minimal higher-spin algebra ho_0(D-1,2)\supset so(D-1,2). The continuum limit leads to a 2d chiral sp(2)-gauged sigma model which is critical in D=7; equivalent a la Bars-Vasiliev to an su(2)-gauged spinor string; and furthermore dual to a WZW model in turn containing a topological \hat{so}(6,2)_{-2}/(\hat{so}(6)\oplus \hat\so(2))_{-2} coset model with a chiral ring generated by singleton-valued weight-0 spin fields. Moreover, the two-parton truncation can be linked via a reformulation a la Cattaneo-Felder-Kontsevich to a topological open string on the phase space of the D-dimensional Dirac hypercone. We present evidence that a suitable deformation of the open string leads to the Vasiliev equations based on vector oscillators and weak sp(2)-projection. Geometrically, the bi-locality reflects broken boundary-singleton worldlines, while Vasiliev's intertwiner kappa can be seen to relate T and R-ordered deformations of the boundary and the bulk of the worldsheet, respectively.

hep-th

On an Exact Cosmological Solution of Higher Spin Gauge Theory

We review our recent exact solution to four-dimensional higher spin gauge theory invariant under a higher spin extension of SO(3,1) and we comment on its cosmological interpretation. We find an effective Einstein-scalar field theory that admits this solution, and we highlight the significance of the Einstein frame and what we call higher spin frame in the cosmological interpretation of the solution. We also compare the properties of the solution with those based on an Einstein-scalar system that arises in a consistent truncation of gauged N=8,D=4 supergravity.

hep-th

An Exact Solution of 4D Higher-Spin Gauge Theory

We give a one-parameter family of exact solutions to four-dimensional higher-spin gauge theory invariant under a deformed higher-spin extension of SO(3,1) and parameterized by a zero-form invariant. All higher-spin gauge fields vanish, while the metric interpolates between two asymptotically AdS4 regions via a dS3-foliated domainwall and two H3-foliated Robertson-Walker spacetimes -- one in the future and one in the past -- with the scalar field playing the role of foliation parameter. All Weyl tensors vanish, including that of spin two. We furthermore discuss methods for constructing solutions, including deformation of solutions to pure AdS gravity, the gauge-function approach, the perturbative treatment of (pseudo-)singular initial data describing isometric or otherwise projected solutions, and zero-form invariants.

hep-th

On Higher Spins with a Strong Sp(2,R) Condition

We report on an analysis of the Vasiliev construction for minimal bosonic higher-spin master fields with oscillators that are vectors of SO(D-1,2) and doublets of Sp(2,R). We show that, if the original master field equations are supplemented with a strong Sp(2,R) projection of the 0-form while letting the 1-form adjust to the resulting Weyl curvatures, the linearized on-shell constraints exhibit both the proper mass terms and a geometric gauge symmetry with unconstrained, traceful parameters. We also address some of the subtleties related to the strong projection and the prospects for obtaining a finite curvature expansion.

hep-th

Multi-Spin Giants

We examine spherical p-branes in AdS_m x S^n, that wrap an S^p in either AdS_m (p=m-2) or S^n (p=n-2). We first construct a two-spin giant solution expanding in S^n and has spins both in AdS_m and S^n. For (m,n)={(5,5),(4,7),(7,4)}, it is 1/2 supersymmetric, and it reduces to the single-spin giant graviton when the AdS spin vanishes. We study some of its basic properties such as instantons, non-commutativity, zero-modes, and the perturbative spectrum. All vibration modes have real and positive frequencies determined uniquely by the spacetime curvature, and evenly spaced. We next consider the (0+1)-dimensional sigma-models obtained by keeping generally time-dependent transverse coordinates, describing warped product of a breathing-mode and a point-particle on S^n or AdS_m x S^1. The BPS bounds show that the only spherical supersymmetric solutions are the single and the two-spin giants. Moreover, we integrate the sigma-model and separate the canonical variables. We quantize exactly the point-particle part of the motion, which in local coordinates gives Poschl-Teller type potentials, and calculate its contribution to the anomalous dimension.

hep-th

AdS_3 OM theory and the self-dual string or Membranes ending on the Five-brane

We describe properties of the M-theory five-brane containing $Q$ coincident self-dual strings on its worldvolume. This is the five-brane description of Q membranes ending on the five-brane. In particular, we consider a Maldacena-like low energy limit in the six-dimensional worldvolume which yields a near `horizon' description of the self-dual string using light open membranes, i.e. OM theory, in an AdS_3 x S^3 geometry.

hep-th

Holography in 4D (Super) Higher Spin Theories and a Test via Cubic Scalar Couplings

The correspondences proposed previously between higher spin gauge theories and free singleton field theories were recently extended into a more complete picture by Klebanov and Polyakov in the case of the minimal bosonic theory in D=4 to include the strongly coupled fixed point of the 3d O(N) vector model. Here we propose an N=1 supersymmetric version of this picture. We also elaborate on the role of parity in constraining the bulk interactions, and in distinguishing two minimal bosonic models obtained as two different consistent truncations of the minimal N=1 model that retain the scalar or the pseudo-scalar field. We refer to these models as the Type A and Type B models, respectively, and conjecture that the latter is holographically dual to the 3d Gross-Neveu model. In the case of the Type A model, we show the vanishing of the three-scalar amplitude with regular boundary conditions. This agrees with the O(N) vector model computation of Petkou, thereby providing a non-trivial test of the Klebanov-Polyakov conjecture.

hep-th

Superspace Formulation of 4D Higher Spin Gauge Theory

Interacting AdS_4 higher spin gauge theories with N \geq 1 supersymmetry so far have been formulated as constrained systems of differential forms living in a twistor extension of 4D spacetime. Here we formulate the minimal N=1 theory in superspace, leaving the internal twistor space intact. Remarkably, the superspace constraints have the same form as those defining the theory in ordinary spacetime. This construction generalizes straightforwardly to higher spin gauge theories N>1 supersymmetry.

hep-th

Massless Higher Spins and Holography

We treat free large N superconformal field theories as holographic duals of higher spin (HS) gauge theories expanded around AdS spacetime with radius R. The HS gauge theories contain massless and light massive AdS fields. The HS current correlators are written in a crossing symmetric form including only exchange of other HS currents. This and other arguments point to the existence of a consistent truncation to massless HS fields. A survey of massless HS theories with 32 supersymmetries in D=4,5,7 (where the 7D results are new) is given and the corresponding composite operators are discussed. In the case of AdS_4, the cubic couplings of a minimal bosonic massless HS gauge theory are described. We examine high energy/small tension limits giving rise to massless HS fields in the Type IIB string on AdS_5 x S^5 and M theory on AdS_{4/7} x S^{7/4}. We discuss breaking of HS symmetries to the symmetries of ordinary supergravity, and a particularly natural Higgs mechanism in AdS_5 x S^5 and AdS_4 x S^7 where the HS symmetry is broken by finite g_{YM}. In AdS_5 x S^5 it is shown that the supermultiplets of the leading Regge trajectory cross over into the massless HS spectrum. We propose that g_{YM}=0 corresponds to a critical string tension of order 1/R^2 and a finite string coupling of order 1/N. In AdS_7 x S^4 we give a rotating membrane solution coupling to the massless HS currents, and describe these as limits of Wilson surfaces in the A_{N-1}(2,0) SCFT, expandable in terms of operators with anomalous dimensions that are asymptotically small for large spin. The minimal energy configurations have semi-classical energy E=s for all s and the geometry of infinitely stretched strings with energy and spin density concentrated at the endpoints.

hep-th

On N=1,2,4 Higher Spin Gauge Theories in Four Dimensions

We study N=1,2,4 higher spin superalgebras in four dimensions and higher spin gauge theories based on them. We extend the existing minimal N=2,4 theories and find a minimal N=1 theory. Utilizing the basic structure of the minimal N=8 theory, we express the full field equations for the N=1,2,4 theories in a universal form without introducing Kleinian operators. We also use a non-minimal N=4 higher spin algebra tensored with U(3) to describe a higher spin extension of N=4 supergravity coupled to the massless vector multiplets arising in the KK spectrum of 11D supergravity on the N=3 supersymmetric AdS_4 x N^{010} background. The higher spin theory also contains a triplet of vector multiplets which may play a role in the super-Higgs effect in which N=4 is broken down to N=3.

hep-th

Analysis of Higher Spin Field Equations in Four Dimensions

The minimal bosonic higher spin gauge theory in four dimensions contains massless particles of spin s=0,2,4,.. that arise in the symmetric product of two spin 0 singletons. It is based on an infinite dimensional extension of the AdS_4 algebra a la Vasiliev. We derive an expansion scheme in which the gravitational gauge fields are treated exactly and the gravitational curvatures and the higher spin gauge fields as weak perturbations. We also give the details of an explicit iteration procedure for obtaining the field equations to arbitrary order in curvatures. In particular, we highlight the structure of all the quadratic terms in the field equations.

hep-th

7D Bosonic Higher Spin Theory: Symmetry Algebra and Linearized Constraints

We construct the minimal bosonic higher spin extension of the 7D AdS algebra SO(6,2), which we call hs(8*). The generators, which have spin s=1,3,5,..., are realized as monomials in Grassmann even spinor oscillators. Irreducibility, in the form of tracelessness, is achieved by modding out an infinite dimensional ideal containing the traces. In this a key role is played by the tree bilinear traces which form an SU(2)_K algebra. We show that gauging of hs(8*) yields a spectrum of physical fields with spin s=0,2,4,...which make up a UIR of hs(8*) isomorphic to the symmetric tensor product of two 6D scalar doubletons. The scalar doubleton is the unique SU(2)_K invariant 6D doubleton. The spin s\geq 2 sector comes from an hs(8*)-valued one-form which also contains the auxiliary gauge fields required for writing the curvature constraints in covariant form. The physical spin s=0 field arises in a separate zero-form in a `quasi-adjoint' representation of hs(8*). This zero-form also contains the spin s\geq 2 Weyl tensors, i.e. the curvatures which are non-vanishing on-shell. We suggest that the hs(8*) gauge theory describes the minimal bosonic, massless truncation of M theory on AdS_7\times S^4 in an unbroken phase where the holographic dual is given by N free (2,0) tensor multiplets for large N.

hep-th

Massive Dualities in Six Dimensions

We study compactifications of string theory and M-theory to six dimensions with background fluxes. The nonzero fluxes lead to additional mass parameters. We derive the S- and T-duality rules for the corresponding (massive) supergravity theories. Specifically, we investigate the massive T-duality between Type IIA superstring theory compactified on K3 with background fluxes and Type IIB superstring theory compactified on K3. Furthermore, we generalise to the massive case the 6D 'string-string' S-duality between M-theory on K3 x S^1 and the Heterotic String on T^4. Whereas in the case of massive T--duality the mass parameters are in the fundamental representation of the U-duality group O(4,20) we find that in the case of massive S-duality they are in the 3-index antisymmetric representation. In the latter case the mass parameters involved extend those of Kaloper and Myers. We apply our duality rules to massive brane solutions, like the domain wall solutions corresponding to the mass parameters and find new massive brane solutions. Finally, we discuss the higher-dimensional interpretation of the dualities and brane solutions.

hep-th

Towards Massless Higher Spin Extension of D=5, N=8 Gauged Supergravity

The AdS_5 superalgebra PSU(2,2|4) has an infinite dimensional extension, which we denote by hs(2,2|4). We show that the gauging of hs(2,2|4) gives rise to a spectrum of physical massless fields which coincides with the symmetric tensor product of two AdS_5 spin-1 doubletons (i.e. the N=4 SYM multiplets living on the boundary of AdS_5). This product decomposes into levels \ell=0,1,2,..,\infty of massless supermultiplets of PSU(2,2|4). In particular, the D=5, N=8 supergravity multiplet arises at level \ell=0. In addition to a master gauge field, we construct a master scalar field containing the s=0,1/2 fields, the anti-symmetric tensor field of the gauged supergravity and its higher spin analogs. We define the linearized constraints and obtain the linearized field equations of the full spectrum, including those of D=5,N=8 gauged supergravity and in particular the self-duality equations for the 2-form potentials of the gauged supergravity (forming a 6-plet of SU(4)), and their higher spin cousins with s=2,3,...,\infty.

hep-th