arXiv subjects

Sergio E. Aguilar-Gutierrez

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio E. Aguilar-Gutierrez.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Finite-cutoff geometry from double-scaled SYK

We develop a finite-cutoff holographic description of the double-scaled SYK (DSSYK) model. We construct microscopic deformations of Kourkoulou-Maldacena and thermofield-double SYK states whose double-scaling limits reproduce a lower-dimensional analogue of $\text{T}\overline{\text{T}}$ and $\text{T}\overline{\text{T}}+Λ_2$ deformations, which we denote $T^2$ and $T^2+Λ_1$, respectively. The ensemble-averaged theory describes wormhole states in finite-cutoff sine dilaton gravity, and finite-cutoff anti-de Sitter and de Sitter geometries in the low- and high-energy regimes, respectively. The analysis includes both perturbative and non-perturbative solutions to the energy spectrum flow equation, and the regions behind and beyond the respective horizons. Only the perturbative branch admits physical quantum states. We study how to incorporate end-of-the-world (ETW) branes in the finite cutoff holographic dictionary. The ETW brane leads to an additional boundary theory deformation, which leads to black hole or eternal traversable wormhole geometries depending on the existence of normalizable bound states. We extend the finite cutoff length evaluations for constant mean curvature (CMC) slices, and interpret them as complexity in the boundary theory. We discuss possible extensions with matter. Our results provide a microscopic framework for studying the finite-cutoff boundaries, CMC slices and branes in the holographic dictionary of DSSYK.

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arXiv2026

Deforming the Double-Scaled SYK & Reaching the Stretched Horizon From Finite Cutoff Holography

We study the properties of the double-scaled SYK (DSSYK) model under chord Hamiltonian deformations based on finite cutoff holography for general dilaton gravity theories with Dirichlet boundaries. The formalism immediately incorporates a lower-dimensional analog of $\text{T}\bar{\text{T}}(+Λ_2)$ deformations, denoted $T^2(+Λ_1)$, as special cases. In general, the deformation mixes the chord basis of the Hilbert space in the seed theory, which we order through the Lanczos algorithm. The resulting Krylov complexity for the Hartle-Hawking state represents a wormhole length at a finite cutoff in the bulk. We study the thermodynamic properties of the deformed theory; the growth of Krylov complexity; the evolution of $n$-point correlation functions with matter chords; and the entanglement entropy between the double-scaled algebras of the DSSYK model for a given chord state. The latter, in the triple-scaling limit, manifests as the minimal codimension-two area in the bulk following the Ryu-Takayanagi formula. By performing a sequence of $T^2$ and $T^2+Λ_1$ deformations in the upper tail of the energy spectrum in the deformed DSSYK, we concretely realize the cosmological stretched horizon proposal in de Sitter holography by Susskind. We discuss other extensions with sine dilaton gravity, end-of-the-world branes, and the Almheiri-Goel-Hu model.

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arXiv2026

q-Askey Deformations of Double-Scaled SYK

We construct families of deformations of the double-scaled SYK (DSSYK) model and investigate their bulk interpretation. We introduce microscopic deformations of the SYK model which, after ensemble averaging and in the double-scaling limit, are described by a transfer matrix encoding the recurrence relations of basic orthogonal polynomials in the q-Askey scheme. For certain families of deformations in the semiclassical limit at finite temperature, the chord number (encoding Krylov complexity) corresponds to the length of an Einstein-Rosen bridge connecting an End-Of-The-World brane to an anti-de Sitter asymptotic boundary. By increasing one of the deformation parameters, the models eventually exhibit discrete energy levels, signaling a new geometric transition in sine dilaton gravity. Via the SYK-Schur duality, Krylov complexity also admits a representation-theoretic interpretation as the spread of the SU(2) spin in the index of an $\mathcal{N}=2$ SU(2) gauge theory. We study the operator algebras of the deformed theories. The algebras can be type II$_1$ or type I$_\infty$ factors, depending on the operators that are included. The entanglement entropy between the type II$_1$ algebras for a pure state manifests as an extremal surface through the Ryu-Takayanagi formula. We discuss connections between our results and the emergence of baby universes in the bulk.

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arXiv2026

$T^2$ deformations in the double-scaled SYK model: Stretched horizon thermodynamics

We study T$^2$-deformations in the DSSYK model \emph{after} performing ensemble averaging, to learn about the properties of its bulk dual geometry according to finite cutoff holography. We first derive the flow equation for generic holographic quantum mechanical systems dual to dilaton gravity theories without requiring AdS asymptotic boundaries, resulting in a new dictionary entry relating the boundary deformation parameter to the bulk radial boundary cutoff. Applying the results to the DSSYK model, we show that the T$^2$ deformation can probe regions of positive and approximately constant curvature in sine dilaton gravity. The dS$_2$ stretched horizon holographic proposal by Susskind \cite{Susskind:2021esx} is recovered as the radial cutoff approaches the horizons of the bulk dual. The thermodynamic quantities of the system exhibit enhanced growth in this limit. In the deformed boundary theory, we uncover phase transitions from thermodynamically stable to unstable configurations depending on its temperature, which also scrambles information at a (hyper-)fast rate in terms of its out-of-time-ordered correlator.

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arXiv2026

Relational path integral, effective actions and quantum frame covariance in gravity

We propose a relational bundle-geometric formulation of the gravitational path integral by invoking the new tool of quantum reference frames (QRFs), which in gravity are gauge-covariant coordinate systems constructed from the available field content. Formulated in terms of relational (frame-dressed) observables, this yields a manifestly gauge-invariant path integral without ghosts and anomalies, and in which observables and their correlators are local to a frame. While eliminating the need for gauge fixing, it is equivalent to Faddeev-Popov versions in which the QRF is gauge-fixed, recovering certain previous proposals. A key feature is its covariance under QRF changes: it is a perspective-neutral path integral which encodes all internal QRF perspectives and the transformations between them. This leads to several qualitative predictions: local correlators and time evolution of relational observables in one QRF perspective become fuzzy in another, and a new spectrum of relational vacua arises. Comprised of frame-dependent no-boundary and asymptotic ground states, a vacuum from one perspective appears generally excited in another. Finally, we construct gauge-invariant, yet frame-dependent effective actions by coupling sources exclusively to relational observables, setting the stage for a relational definition of renormalization.

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arXiv2026

Cosmological Entanglement Entropy from the von Neumann Algebra of Double-Scaled SYK & Its Connection with Krylov Complexity

We investigate entanglement entropy between the pair of type II$_1$ algebras of the double-scaled SYK (DSSYK) model given a chord state, its holographic interpretation as generalized horizon entropy; particularly in the (anti-)de Sitter ((A)dS) space limits of the bulk dual; and its connection with Krylov complexity. The density matrices in this formalism are operators in the algebras, which are specified by the choice of global state; and there exists a trace to evaluate their von Neumann entropy since the algebras are commutants of each other, which leads to a notion of algebraic entanglement entropy. We match it in triple-scaling limits to an area computed through a Ryu-Takayanagi formula in (A)dS$_2$ space with entangling surfaces at the asymptotic timelike or spacelike boundaries respectively; providing a first-principles example of holographic entanglement entropy for (A)dS$_2$ space. This result reproduces the Bekenstein-Hawking and Gibbons-Hawking entropy formulas for specific entangling regions points, while it decreases for others. This construction does not display some of the puzzling features in dS holography. The entanglement entropy remains real-valued since the theory is unitary, and it depends on the Krylov spread complexity of the Hartle-Hawking state. At last, we discuss higher dimensional extensions.

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arXiv2026

Probing the Chaos to Integrability Transition in Double-Scaled SYK

We investigate how a thermodynamical first-order phase transition affects the dynamical chaotic behaviour of a given model. To this effect, we analyze the model of Berkooz, Brukner, Jia and Mamroud that interpolates between the double-scaled SYK model and an integrable chord Hamiltonian. This model exhibits a first-order transition, characterized by a kink in the free energy, between the chaotic and quasi-integrable phases, with the branch of subdominant saddles interpolating between them. We characterize the dynamical behavior across the phase diagram using the chord number, Krylov complexity, and operator size. The chord number, which is proportional to the Krylov state complexity in the classical limit, exhibits a discontinuous transition from linear to quadratic growth at the transition point. Similarly, the Krylov operator complexity and the operator size, as scrambling diagnostics, exhibit discontinuous transitions from exponential to quadratic growth. We also discuss a possible holographic interpretation of the model.

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arXiv2026

Geometry of Chord Intertwiner, Multiple Shocks and Switchback in Double-Scaled SYK

We revisit the bulk Hilbert space interpretation of chords in the double-scaled SYK (DSSYK) model and introduce a notion of intertwiner that constructs bulk states from states with fixed boundary conditions. This leads to an isometric map that factorizes the one-particle bulk Hilbert space into a tensor product of two boundary Hilbert spaces without particle insertion. The map enables a systematic derivation of a family of correlation functions with arbitrary finite amount of matter insertions, relevant for capturing the switchback effect-a feature of holographic complexity. We further develop a path integral framework that describes multiple shockwave configurations in the semiclassical limit. For the two-body scattering processes in semi-classical regime, we show it exhibits sub-maximal chaos at finite temperature, consistent with the scramblon dynamics associated with the "fake disk" geometry. The effective "fake temperature" governing this behavior emerges from the semiclassical limit of the quantum $6 j$-symbol associated with the out-of-time-order correlator. We further analyze multi-shockwave configurations and derive precise conditions under which the switchback effect is realized, both in terms of the total chord number and the Krylov complexity of precursor operators. Our results clarify the structure of correlation functions with multiple operator insertions, their bulk interpretation in terms of shockwave geometries in the semiclassical regime, and provide a microscopic derivation of the switchback effect in the DSSYK model.

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arXiv2026

Krylov operator complexity in holographic CFTs: Smeared boundary reconstruction and the dual proper radial momentum

Motivated by bulk reconstruction of smeared boundary operators, we study the Krylov complexity of local and non-local primary CFT$_d$ operators from the local bulk-to-bulk propagator of a minimally-coupled massive scalar field in Rindler-AdS$_{d+1}$ space. We derive analytic and numerical evidence on how the degree of non-locality in the dual CFT$_d$ observable affects the evolution of Krylov complexity and the Lanczos coefficients. Curiously, the near-horizon limit matches with the same observable for conformally-coupled probe scalar fields inserted at the asymptotic boundary of AdS$_{d+1}$ space. Our results also show that the evolution of the growth rate of Krylov operator complexity in the CFT$_d$ takes the same form as to the proper radial momentum of a probe particle inside the bulk to a good approximation. The exact equality only occurs when the probe particle is inserted in the asymptotic boundary or in the horizon limit. Our results capture a prosperous interplay between Krylov complexity in the CFT, thermal ensembles at finite bulk locations and their role in the holographic dictionary.

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arXiv2025

Entanglement and factorization in axion-de Sitter universes

We study extremal codimension-two areas and late-time bulk correlators between a pair of asymptotically de Sitter space universes connected through an Euclidean axion wormhole, in arbitrary dimensions. Assuming the validity of the de Sitter (dS)/conformal field theory (CFT) correspondence, we describe factorized Hilbert spaces for the putative boundary theories at $\mathcal{I}^+$ in each of the universes based on the asymptotically dS isometries. This allow us to we interpret the extremal areas as complex-valued holographic entanglement entropy between the microscopic duals. Later, we evaluate two-point correlation functions for heavy particles detected near $\mathcal{I}^+$. The Euclidean wormhole saddle point is responsible for finiteness of the correlators. The results are compatible with the boundary dual being non-unitary and having a large Hilbert space dimension. At last, we dimensionally reduce these geometries in terms of dilaton-gravity theory with conformally coupled matter.

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arXiv2025

Evolution With(out) Time: Relational Holography & BPS Complexity Growth in $\mathcal{N}=2$ Double-Scaled SYK

How do we describe non-trivial bulk measurements relative to an observer (i.e. relationally) when both the observer and the system it probes may/may not evolve in time? How can we interpret this holographically; particularly for zero-energy BPS states in supersymmetric theories? We address these questions, in the $\mathcal{N}=2$ double-scaled SYK model and its putative bulk dual by: (i) formulating a holographic procedure in the language of quantum reference frames to gravitationally dress bulk observables to ``clocks'' parametrized by both boundary time and R-charge; and (ii) proposing a \emph{new measure of Krylov complexity} with R-charge in the boundary theory that probes zero-energy BPS states. Holographically, this proposal reproduces a relational bulk observable, a BPS wormhole length. We contrast this to the Krylov complexity for Hartle-Hawking states with non-trivial time flow. The latter reproduces the same observable as for the bosonic DSSYK in the semiclassical limit, while its quantum fluctuations can capture supersymmetric corrections depending on the specific initial state.

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arXiv2025

Symmetry Sectors in Chord Space and Relational Holography in the DSSYK

In holography, gauging symmetries of the boundary theory leads to important modifications in the bulk. In this work, we study constraints to gauge symmetry sectors in the chord Hilbert space of the double-scaled SYK (DSSYK) with matter, and we connect them to different proposals of its bulk dual. These sectors include chord parity symmetry, corresponding to End-Of-The-World (ETW) branes and Euclidean wormholes in sine dilaton gravity; and relative time-translations in a doubled DSSYK model (resulting from a single DSSYK with an infinitely heavy matter chord) used in de Sitter holography. We define and evaluate partition functions and thermal correlation functions of the ETW brane and Euclidean wormhole systems in the boundary theory. We deduce the holographic dictionary by matching geodesic lengths in the bulk with the spread complexity of the parity-gauged DSSYK. The Euclidean wormholes of fixed size are perturbatively stable, and their baby universe Hilbert space is non-trivial only when matter is added. We conclude studying the constraints in the path integral of the doubled DSSYK. We derive the gauge invariant operator algebra of one of the DSSYKs dressed to the other one and discuss its holographic interpretation.

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arXiv2025

Building the Holographic Dictionary of the DSSYK from Chords, Complexity & Wormholes with Matter

In this work, we formulate the holographic dictionary for the double-scaled SYK (DSSYK) model with matter operators. Based on the two-sided Hartle-Hawking (HH) state, we derive several properties of the DSSYK model, without making assumptions about the specific dual theory, including its semiclassical thermodynamics, correlation functions, and Krylov complexity. We derive these quantities from the saddle points of the DSSYK path integral preparing the HH state. We also construct a Lanczos algorithm that simultaneously evaluates Krylov state and operator complexity in the two-sided Hamiltonian system including finite temperature effects. In the semiclassical limit, both measures are encoded in the saddle points of the path integral. They have a bulk interpretation in terms of minimal geodesic lengths in an effective AdS$_2$ space with matter backreaction. Different saddle points correspond to geodesic distances with different evolution, and they display different scrambling properties. We also discuss about the quantization of the bulk theory dual to the DSSYK model. At last, we formulate the double-scaled algebra in bulk terms, and the dual entry of the proper radial momentum of a bulk probe.

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arXiv2025

Quasinormal modes and complexity in saddle-dominated SU(N) spin systems

We study SU($N$) spin systems that mimic the behavior of particles in $N$-dimensional de Sitter space for $N=2,3$. Their Hamiltonians describe a dynamical system with hyperbolic fixed points, leading to emergent quasinormal modes at the quantum level. These manifest as quasiparticle peaks in the density of states. For a particle in 2-dimensional de Sitter, we find both principal and complementary series densities of states from a PT-symmetric version of the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model, having two hyperbolic fixed points in the classical phase space. We then study different spectral and dynamical properties of this class of models, including level spacing statistics, two-point functions, squared commutators, spectral form factor, Krylov operator and state complexity. We find that, even though the early-time properties of these quantities are governed by the saddle points -- thereby in some cases mimicking corresponding properties of chaotic systems, a close look at the late-time behavior reveals the integrable nature of the system.

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arXiv2025

Relational dynamics in axion-de Sitter universes

We study the evolution of codimension-one maximal volume and related geometric observables according to a pair of dynamical reference frames (i.e. observers) in asymptotically de Sitter universes in the presence of axion matter. This sources a Euclidean wormhole entangling the two universes, thereby changing the spacetime topology. The system is prepared in a two-copy Hartle-Hawking state by slicing a Euclidean wormhole. We derive the evolution of codimension-one observables anchored to the worldline reference frame in each universe. We investigate how the axion charge competes with the cosmological constant in the evolution of the observables. The maximal volume increases nearly exponentially for low axion charge, while it decreases to a vanishing value for the maximal axion charge allowed by de Sitter space.

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arXiv2025

A teleportation protocol in Schwarzschild-de Sitter space

We propose a new information transfer protocol for de Sitter space, using black holes as energy reservoirs. We consider antipodal observers in pure de Sitter space in the Bunch-Davis state. They can store Hawking modes from the cosmological horizon in a box. Alternatively, due to thermal fluctuations in de Sitter space, black holes formed through a pair-creation {process can be used} as energy reservoirs. We focus on the Nariai black hole case, which corresponds to an equilibrium state. Once the black hole is produced, energy pulses can be released into its interior, opening a traversable wormhole. We provide bounds for the amount of information that can be transferred. Specializing in (1+1)-dimensions, we explore how the teleportation protocol leads to an explicit geometric description of the information transmitted through an island region. The protocol uncovers quantum information aspects of de Sitter space, independently of any particular realization of de Sitter space holography.

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arXiv2025

$\text{T}\overline{\text{T}}$ deformations from AdS$_2$ to dS$_2$

We revisit the formalism of $\text{T}\overline{\text{T}}$ deformations for quantum theories that are holographically dual to two-dimensional dilaton-gravity theories with Dirichlet boundary conditions. To better understand the microscopics of de Sitter space, we focus on deformations for which the dual bulk geometry flows from Anti-de Sitter to de Sitter space. We explore two distinct ways to achieve this: either through so-called centaur geometries that interpolate between AdS$_2$ and dS$_2$, or by a spherical dimensional reduction of $\text{T}\overline{\text{T}} + Λ_2$ theories that were proposed to give a microscopic interpretation of three-dimensional de Sitter entropy. We derive the microscopic energy spectrum, heat capacities, and deformed Cardy expressions for the thermodynamic entropy in the canonical and microcanonical ensembles for these two setups. In both setups a signature of the change from AdS to dS is that the heat capacity at a fixed deformation parameter of the boundary system changes sign, indicating the existence of a thermodynamically unstable de Sitter patch. Our findings provide important consistency conditions for holographic models of the dS$_2$ static patch.

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arXiv2024

A multiverse model in $T^2$ dS wedge holography

We construct a multiverse model where empty AdS$_{d+1}$ space is cut off by a pair of accelerated dS$_d$ space universes, at a finite AdS boundary cutoff which we treat as a $T^2$ deformation in the holographic dual, and one in the AdS interior, the IR brane{; and denote the construction as $T^2$ dS wedge holography}. We glue together several copies of this configuration along the UV cutoff and the IR branes in a periodic matter. To provide the model with dynamics similar to those of near Nariai black holes used in other multiverse toy models{, we specialize to $d=2$ and} add dS JT gravity as an intrinsic gravity theory on the IR branes. We then study the entanglement entropy with respect to a finite cutoff observer, who finds a Page curve transition due to an entanglement island connecting the UV cutoff and IR brane. This process involves the coarse-graining of information outside the causally accessible region to the observer. Our model provides an explicit realization of entanglement between IR and UV degrees of freedom encoded in the multiverse.

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