arXiv subjects

Simon Caron-Huot

Publications and source records attributed to Simon Caron-Huot.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

When does the gluon reggeize?

We propose the eikonal approximation as a simple and reliable tool to analyze relativistic high-energy processes, provided that the necessary subtleties are accounted for. An important subtlety is the need to include eikonal phases for a rapidity-dependent collection of particles, as embodied by the Balitsky-JIMWLK rapidity evolution equation. In the first part of this paper, we review how the phenomenon of gluon reggeization and the BFKL equations can be understood simply (but not too simply) in the eikonal approach. We also work out some previously overlooked implications of BFKL dynamics, including the observation that starting from four loops it is incompatible with a recent conjecture regarding the structure of infrared divergences. In the second part of this paper, we propose that in the strict planar limit the theory can be developed to all orders in the coupling with no reference at all to the concept of "reggeized gluon." Rather, one can work directly with a finite, process-dependent, number of Wilson lines. We demonstrate consistency of this proposal by an exact computation in N=4 super Yang-Mills, which shows that in processes mediated with two Wilson lines the reggeized gluon appears in the weak coupling limit as a resonance whose width is proportional to the coupling. We also provide a precise operator definition of Lipatov's integrable spin chain, which is manifestly integrable at any value of the coupling as a result of the duality between scattering amplitudes and Wilson loops in this theory.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Adjoint BFKL at finite coupling: a short-cut from the collinear limit

In the high energy Regge limit, the six gluons scattering amplitude is controlled by the adjoint BFKL eigenvalue and impact factor. In this paper we determine these two building blocks at any value of the 't Hooft coupling in planar $\cal{N}$=4 SYM theory. This is achieved by means of analytic continuations from the collinear limit, where similar all loops expressions were recently established. We check our predictions against all available data at weak and strong coupling.

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arXiv2015

Solvable Relativistic Hydrogenlike System in Supersymmetric Yang-Mills Theory

The classical Kepler problem, as well as its quantum mechanical version, the Hydrogen atom, enjoy a well-known hidden symmetry, the conservation of the Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector, which makes these problems superintegrable. Is there a relativistic quantum field theory extension that preserves this symmetry? In this Letter we show that the answer is positive: in the non-relativistic limit, we identify the dual conformal symmetry of planar $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills with the well-known symmetries of the Hydrogen atom. We point out that the dual conformal symmetry offers a novel way to compute the spectrum of bound states of massive $W$ bosons in the theory. We perform nontrivial tests of this setup at weak and strong coupling, and comment on the possible extension to arbitrary values of the coupling.

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arXiv2014

Iterative structure of finite loop integrals

In this paper we develop further and refine the method of differential equations for computing Feynman integrals. In particular, we show that an additional iterative structure emerges for finite loop integrals. As a concrete non-trivial example we study planar master integrals of light-by-light scattering to three loops, and derive analytic results for all values of the Mandelstam variables $s$ and $t$ and the mass $m$. We start with a recent proposal for defining a basis of loop integrals having uniform transcendental weight properties and use this approach to compute all planar two-loop master integrals in dimensional regularization. We then show how this approach can be further simplified when computing finite loop integrals. This allows us to discuss precisely the subset of integrals that are relevant to the problem. We find that this leads to a block triangular structure of the differential equations, where the blocks correspond to integrals of different weight. We explain how this block triangular form is found in an algorithmic way. Another advantage of working in four dimensions is that integrals of different loop orders are interconnected and can be seamlessly discussed within the same formalism. We use this method to compute all finite master integrals needed up to three loops. Finally, we remark that all integrals have simple Mandelstam representations.

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arXiv2013

Three-loop octagons and n-gons in maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

We study the S-matrix of planar $\mathcal{N}=4$ supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory when external momenta are restricted to a two-dimensional subspace of Minkowski space. We find significant simplifications and new, interesting structures for tree and loop amplitudes in two-dimensional kinematics; in particular, the higher-point amplitudes we consider can be obtained from those with lowest-points by a collinear uplifting. Based on a compact formula for one-loop N${}^2$MHV amplitudes, we use an equation proposed previously to compute, for the first time, the complete two-loop NMHV and three-loop MHV octagons, which we conjecture to uplift to give the full $n$-point amplitudes up to simpler logarithmic terms or dilogarithmic terms.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Dual-Conformal Regularization of Infrared Loop Divergences and the Chiral Box Expansion

We revisit the familiar construction of one-loop scattering amplitudes via generalized unitarity in light of the recently understood properties of loop integrands prior to their integration. We show how in any four-dimensional quantum field theory, the integrand-level factorization of infrared divergences leads to twice as many constraints on integral coefficients than are visible from the integrated expressions. In the case of planar, maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills amplitudes, we demonstrate that these constraints are both sufficient and necessary to imply the finiteness and dual-conformal invariance of the ratios of scattering amplitudes. We present a novel regularization of the scalar box integrals which makes dual-conformal invariance of finite observables manifest term by term, and describe how this procedure can be generalized to higher loop-orders. Finally, we describe how the familiar scalar boxes at one-loop can be upgraded to `chiral boxes' resulting in a manifestly infrared-factorized, box-like expansion for all one-loop integrands in planar, N=4 super Yang-Mills. Accompanying this note is a Mathematica package which implements our results, and allows for the efficient numerical evaluation of any one-loop amplitude or ratio function.

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arXiv2012

Jumpstarting the all-loop S-matrix of planar N=4 super Yang-Mills

We derive a set of first-order differential equations obeyed by the S-matrix of planar maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory. The equations, based on the Yangian symmetry of the theory, involve only finite and regulator-independent quantities and uniquely determine the all-loop S-matrix. When expanded in powers of the coupling they give derivatives of amplitudes as single integrals over lower-loop, higher-point amplitudes/Wilson loops. We outline a derivation for the equations using the Operator Product Expansion for Wilson loops. We apply them on a few examples at two- and three-loops, reproducing a recent result on the two-loop NMHV hexagon and fixing previously undermined coefficients in a recent Ansatz for the three-loop MHV hexagon. In addition, we consider amplitudes restricted to a two-dimensional subspace of Minkowski space and derive a particularly simple set of partially closed equations in that case.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Superconformal symmetry and two-loop amplitudes in planar N=4 super Yang-Mills

Scattering amplitudes in superconformal field theories do not enjoy this symmetry, because the definition of asymptotic states involve a notion of infinity. Concentrating on planar $\mathcal{N}=4$ Yang-Mills, we consider a generalization of scattering amplitudes which depends on twice as many Grassmann variables. We conjecture that it restores at least half of the superconformal symmetries, and all of the dual superconformal symmetries. The object arises naturally as the dual of a null polygonal Wilson loop in an $(x,θ,\barθ)$ superspace. We support the conjecture by using it to obtain the total differential of all $n$-point two-loop MHV amplitudes, and showing that the result passes consistency checks. Potential all-loop constraints are also discussed.

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arXiv2011

Fluctuation, dissipation, and thermalization in non-equilibrium AdS_5 black hole geometries

We give a simple recipe for computing dissipation and fluctuations (commutator and anti-commutator correlation functions) for non-equilibrium black hole geometries. The recipe formulates Hawking radiation as an initial value problem, and is suitable for numerical work. We show how to package the fluctuation and dissipation near the event horizon into correlators on the stretched horizon. These horizon correlators determine the bulk and boundary field theory correlation functions. In addition, the horizon correlators are the components of a horizon effective action which provides a quantum generalization of the membrane paradigm. In equilibrium, the analysis reproduces previous results on the Brownian motion of a heavy quark. Out of equilibrium, Wigner transforms of commutator and anti-commutator correlation functions obey a fluctuation-dissipation relation at high frequency.

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arXiv2010

The All-Loop Integrand For Scattering Amplitudes in Planar N=4 SYM

We give an explicit recursive formula for the all L-loop integrand for scattering amplitudes in N=4 SYM in the planar limit, manifesting the full Yangian symmetry of the theory. This generalizes the BCFW recursion relation for tree amplitudes to all loop orders, and extends the Grassmannian duality for leading singularities to the full amplitude. It also provides a new physical picture for the meaning of loops, associated with canonical operations for removing particles in a Yangian-invariant way. Loop amplitudes arise from the "entangled" removal of pairs of particles, and are naturally presented as an integral over lines in momentum-twistor space. As expected from manifest Yangian-invariance, the integrand is given as a sum over non-local terms, rather than the familiar decomposition in terms of local scalar integrals with rational coefficients. Knowing the integrands explicitly, it is straightforward to express them in local forms if desired; this turns out to be done most naturally using a novel basis of chiral, tensor integrals written in momentum-twistor space, each of which has unit leading singularities. As simple illustrative examples, we present a number of new multi-loop results written in local form, including the 6- and 7-point 2-loop NMHV amplitudes. Very concise expressions are presented for all 2-loop MHV amplitudes, as well as the 5-point 3-loop MHV amplitude. The structure of the loop integrand strongly suggests that the integrals yielding the physical amplitudes are "simple", and determined by IR-anomalies. We briefly comment on extending these ideas to more general planar theories.

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arXiv2010

Finite-size effects on the radiative energy loss of a fast parton in hot and dense strongly interacting matter

We consider finite-size effects on the radiative energy loss of a fast parton moving in a finite temperature strongly interacting medium, using the light cone path integral formalism put forward by Zakharov. We present a convenient reformulation of the problem which makes possible its exact numerical analysis. This is done by introducing the concept of a radiation rate in the presence of finite-size effects. This effectively extends the finite-temperature approach of AMY (Arnold, Moore, and Yaffe) to include interference between vacuum and medium radiation. We compare results with those obtained in the regime considered by AMY, with those obtained at leading order in an opacity expansion, and with those obtained deep in the LPM (Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal) regime.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Spinor Helicity and Dual Conformal Symmetry in Ten Dimensions

The spinor helicity formalism in four dimensions has become a very useful tool both for understanding the structure of amplitudes and also for practical numerical computation of amplitudes. Recently, there has been some discussion of an extension of this formalism to higher dimensions. We describe a particular implementation of the spinor-helicity method in ten dimensions. Using this tool, we study the tree-level S-matrix of ten dimensional super Yang-Mills theory, and prove that the theory enjoys a dual conformal symmetry. Implications for four-dimensional computations are discussed.

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arXiv2010

Notes on the scattering amplitude / Wilson loop duality

We consider the duality between the four-dimensional S-matrix of planar maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory and the expectation value of polygonal shaped Wilson loops in the same theory. We extend the duality to amplitudes with arbitrary helicity states by introducing a suitable supersymmetric extension of the Wilson loop. We show that this object is determined by a host of recursion relations, which are valid at tree level and at loop level for a certain "loop integrand" defined within the Lagrangian insertion procedure. These recursion relations reproduce the BCFW ones obeyed by tree-level scattering amplitudes, as well as their extension to loop integrands which appeared recently in the literature, establishing the duality to all orders in perturbation theory. Finally, we propose that a certain set of finite correlation functions can be used to compute all first derivatives of the logarithm of MHV amplitudes.

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arXiv2010

Loops and trees

We investigate relations between loop and tree amplitudes in quantum field theory that involve putting on-shell some loop propagators. This generalizes the so-called Feynman tree theorem which is satisfied at 1-loop. Exploiting retarded boundary conditions, we give a generalization to L-loop expressing the loops as integrals over the on-shell phase space of exactly L particles. We argue that the corresponding integrand for L>2 does not involve the forward limit of any physical tree amplitude, except in planar gauge theories. In that case we explicitly construct the relevant physical amplitude. Beyond the planar limit, abandoning direct integral representations, we propose that loops continue to be determined implicitly by the forward limit of physical connected trees, and we formulate a precise conjecture along this line. Finally, we set up technology to compute forward amplitudes in supersymmetric theories, in which specific simplifications occur.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2010

Hydrodynamic Long-Time tails From Anti de Sitter Space

For generic field theories at finite temperature, a power-law falloff of correlation functions of conserved currents at long times is a prediction of non-linear hydrodynamics. We demonstrate, through a one-loop computation in Einstein gravity in Anti de Sitter space, that this effect is reproduced by the dynamics of black hole horizons. The result is in agreement with the gauge-gravity correspondence.

hep-th↗

arXiv2010

O(g) plasma effects in jet quenching

We consider the bremsstrahlung energy loss of high energy partons moving in the quark-gluon plasma, at weak coupling. We show that the rates for these processes receive large O(g) corrections from classical (nonabelian) plasma physics effects, which are calculated. In the high-energy (deep LPM) regime these corrections can be absorbed in a change of the transverse momentum broadening coefficient $\hat{q}$, which we give to the next-to-leading order. The correction is large even at relatively weak couplings $α_s\sim 0.1$, as is typically found for such effects, signaling difficulties with the perturbative expansion. Our approach is based on an effective "Euclideanization" property of classical physics near the light-cone, which allows an effective theory approach based on dimensional reduction and suggests a new possibility for the nonperturbative lattice study of these effects.

hep-ph↗

arXiv2009

A way to estimate the heavy quark thermalization rate from the lattice

The thermalization rate of a heavy quark is related to its momentum diffusion coefficient. Starting from a Kubo relation and using the framework of the heavy quark effective theory, we argue that in the large-mass limit the momentum diffusion coefficient can be defined through a certain Euclidean correlation function, involving color-electric fields along a Polyakov loop. Furthermore, carrying out a perturbative computation, we demonstrate that the spectral function corresponding to this correlator is relatively flat at small frequencies. Therefore, unlike in the case of several other transport coefficients, for which the narrowness of the transport peak makes analytic continuation from Euclidean lattice data susceptible to severe systematic uncertainties, it appears that the determination of the heavy quark thermalization rate could be relatively well under control.

hep-lat↗

arXiv2008

On supersymmetry at finite temperature

We consider the effective theories governing the sensitivity to the plasma of certain high-energy observables in supersymmetric plasmas, and point out that they preserve supersymmetry. Our findings generalize previous observations on symptotic thermal masses in weakly coupled plasmas, to both the real and imaginary parts of self-energies, on the light cone and away from it, in weakly and strongly interacting theories. All observed supersymmetry violations due to thermal effects vanish faster than $E^{-2}$ in the high energy limit.

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