arXiv subjects

Stefan Hollands

Publications and source records attributed to Stefan Hollands.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Black hole uniqueness theorems in higher dimensional spacetimes

We review uniqueness theorems as well as other general results about higher dimensional black hole spacetimes. This includes in particular theorems about the topology of higher dimensional spacetimes, theorems about their symmetries (rigidity theorem), and the classification of supersymmetric black holes. We outline the basic ideas underlying the proofs of these statements, and we also indicate ways to generalize some of these results to more general contexts, such as more complicated theories.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2012

Black hole uniqueness theorems and new thermodynamic identities in eleven dimensional supergravity

We consider stationary, non-extremal black holes in 11-dimensional supergravity having isometry group $\mathbb{R} \times U(1)^8$. We prove that such a black hole is uniquely specified by its angular momenta, its electric charges associated with the various 7-cycles in the manifold, together with certain moduli and vector valued winding numbers characterizing the topological nature of the spacetime and group action. We furthermore establish interesting, non-trivial, relations between the thermodynamic quantities associated with the black hole. These relations are shown to be a consequence of the hidden $E_{8(+8)}$ symmetry in this sector of the solution space, and are distinct from the usual "Smarr-type" formulas that can be derived from the first law of black hole mechanics. We also derive the "physical process" version of this first law applicable to a general stationary black hole spacetime without any symmetry assumptions other than stationarity, allowing in particular arbitrary horizon topologies. The work terms in the first law exhibit the topology of the horizon via the intersection numbers between cycles of various dimensions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

The operator product expansion converges in perturbative field theory

We show, within the framework of the Euclidean $ϕ^4$-quantum field theory in four dimensions, that the Wilson operator product expansion (OPE) is not only an asymptotic expansion at short distances as previously believed, but even converges at arbitrary finite distances. Our proof rests on a detailed estimation of the remainder term in the OPE, of an arbitrary product of composite fields, inserted as usual into a correlation function with further "spectator fields". The estimates are obtained using a suitably adapted version of the method of renormalization group flow equations. Convergence follows because the remainder is seen to become arbitrarily small as the OPE is carried out to sufficiently high order, i.e. to operators of sufficiently high dimension. Our results hold for arbitrary, but finite, loop orders. As an interesting side-result of our estimates, we can also prove that the "gradient expansion" of the effective action is convergent.

hep-th↗

arXiv2011

Horizon area-angular momentum inequality in higher dimensional spacetimes

We consider $n$-dimensional spacetimes which are axisymmetric--but not necessarily stationary (!)--in the sense of having isometry group $U(1)^{n-3}$, and which satisfy the Einstein equations with a non-negative cosmological constant. We show that any black hole horizon must have area $A \ge 8π|J_+ J_-|^\half$, where $J_\pm$ are distinguished components of the angular momentum corresponding to linear combinations of the rotational Killing fields that vanish somewhere on the horizon. In the case of $n=4$, where there is only one angular momentum component $J_+=J_-$, we recover an inequality of 1012.2413 [gr-qc]. Our work can hence be viewed as a generalization of this result to higher dimensions. In the case of $n=5$ with horizon of topology $S^1 \times S^2$, the quantities $J_+=J_-$ are the same angular momentum component (in the $S^2$ direction). In the case of $n=5$ with horizon topology $S^3$, the quantities $J_+, J_-$ are the distinct components of the angular momentum. We also show that, in all dimensions, the inequality is saturated if the metric is a so-called ``near horizon geometry''. Our argument is entirely quasi-local, and hence also applies e.g. to any stably outer marginally trapped surface.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2011

Massless interacting quantum fields in deSitter spacetime

We generalize key aspects of arXiv:1010.5367 (and also arXiv:1010.5327) to the case of {\em massless} $λϕ^{2n}$ quantum field theory on deSitter spacetime. As in that paper, our key objective is to derive a suitable "Mellin-Barnes-type" representation of deSitter correlation functions in a deSitter-invariant state, which holds to arbitrary orders in perturbation theory, and which incorporates renormalization. The representation is suitable for the study of large distance/time properties of correlation functions. It is arrived at via an analytic continuation from the corresponding objects on the sphere, and, as in the massive case, relies on the use of graph-polynomials and their properties, as well as other tools. However, the perturbation expansion is organized somewhat differently in the massless case, due to the well-known subtleties associated with the "zero-mode" of the quantum field. In particular, the correlation functions do not possess a well-defined limit as the self-coupling constant of the field goes to zero, reflecting the well-known non-existence of a deSitter invariant state in the free massless scalar theory. We establish that generic correlation functions cannot grow more than polynomially in proper time for large time-like separations of the points. Our results thus leave open the possibility of quantum induced IR-instabilities of deSitter spacetime on very large time-scales.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

Correlators, Feynman diagrams, and quantum no-hair in deSitter spacetime

We provide a parametric representation for position-space Feynman integrals of a massive, self-interacting scalar field in deSitter spacetime, for an arbitrary graph. The expression is given as a multiple contour integral over a kernel whose structure is determined by the set of all trees (or forests) within the graph, and it belongs to a class of generalized hypergeometric functions. We argue from this representation that connected deSitter $n$-point vacuum correlation functions have exponential decay for large proper time-separation, and also decay for large spatial separation, to arbitrary orders in perturbation theory. Our results may be viewed as an analog of the so-called cosmic-no-hair theorem in the context of a quantized test scalar field. This work has significant overlap with a paper by Marolf and Morrison, which is being released simultaneously.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

On the derivation of the Boltzmann equation in quantum field theory: Flat spacetime

In this paper, we analyze in a mathematically rigorous fashion the validity of the Boltzmann transport equation within quantum field theory. We work within the specific model of a hermitian, scalar field with polynomial self-interaction in two-dimensional Minkowski space. Our main results are as follows: Firstly, that one can obtain a non-perturbative, exact integro-differential equation for the number densities, which we called the pre-Boltzmann equation. We secondly take the long-time-dilute-medium limit of this equation, to obtain a simpler equation. This limiting equation is qualitatively similar to the Boltzmann equation, but it involves additional re-scattering terms. These terms disappear if perform a perturbation expansion in the coupling constant and ignore the loop corrections (Born approximation). If loop corrections are included, then we argue that for consistency, one must also keep corresponding rescattering terms which are normally ignored. Our analysis is hence of potential relevance for physical applications of the Boltzmann equation wherein loop effects are essential, such as in the standard scenario of baryogensis in the Early Universe. Our analysis is performed in the context of flat spacetime, but in such a way that the main ingredients can be transferred, straightforwardly to the case of a curved spacetime of Robertson-Walker-type. Our main technical tools are methods from constructive quantum field theory, as well as a general method called "projection technique". This turns out to give convergent expansions, and a rather elegant way of organizing the combinatorics of the various quantum field theoretic expansions in the analysis.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Further restrictions on the topology of stationary black holes in five dimensions

We place further restriction on the possible topology of stationary asymptotically flat vacuum black holes in 5 spacetime dimensions. We prove that the horizon manifold can be either a connected sum of Lens spaces and "handles" $S^1 \times S^2$, or the quotient of $S^3$ by certain finite groups of isometries (with no "handles"). The resulting horizon topologies include Prism manifolds and quotients of the Poincare homology sphere. We also show that the topology of the domain of outer communication is a cartesian product of the time direction with a finite connected sum of $\mathbb R^4,S^2 \times S^2$'s and $CP^2$'s, minus the black hole itself. We do not assume the existence of any Killing vector beside the asymptotically timelike one required by definition for stationarity.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2010

All Vacuum Near-Horizon Geometries in $D$-dimensions with $(D-3)$ Commuting Rotational Symmetries

We explicitly construct all stationary, non-static, extremal near horizon geometries in $D$ dimensions that satisfy the vacuum Einstein equations, and that have $D-3$ commuting rotational symmetries. Our work generalizes [arXiv:0806.2051] by Kunduri and Lucietti, where such a classification had been given in $D=4,5$. But our method is different from theirs and relies on a matrix formulation of the Einstein equations. Unlike their method, this matrix formulation works for any dimension. The metrics that we find come in three families, with horizon topology $S^2 \times T^{D-4}$, or $S^3 \times T^{D-5}$, or quotients thereof. Our metrics depend on two discrete parameters specifying the topology type, as well as $(D-2)(D-3)/2$ continuous parameters. Not all of our metrics in $D \ge 6$ seem to arise as the near horizon limits of known black hole solutions.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2009

Perturbative Quantum Field Theory via Vertex Algebras

In this paper, we explain how perturbative quantum field theory can be formulated in terms of (a version of) vertex algebras. Our starting point is the Wilson-Zimmermann operator product expansion (OPE). Following ideas of a previous paper [arXiv:0802.2198], we consider a consistency (essentially associativity) condition satisfied by the coefficients in this expansion. We observe that the information in the OPE coefficients can be repackaged straightforwardly into "vertex operators" and that the consistency condition then has essentially the same form as the key condition in the theory of vertex algebras. We develop a general theory of perturbations of the algebras that we encounter, similar in nature to the Hochschild cohomology describing the deformation theory of ordinary algebras. The main part of the paper is devoted to the question how one can calculate the perturbations corresponding to a given interaction Lagrangian (such as $λφ^4$) in practice, using the consistency condition and the corresponding non-linear field equation. We derive graphical rules, which display the vertex operators (i.e., OPE coefficients) in terms of certain multiple series of hypergeometric type.

math-ph↗

arXiv2009

A uniqueness theorem for stationary Kaluza-Klein black holes

We prove a uniqueness theorem for stationary $D$-dimensional Kaluza-Klein black holes with $D-2$ Killing fields, generating the symmetry group ${\mathbb R} \times U(1)^{D-3}$. It is shown that the topology and metric of such black holes is uniquely determined by the angular momenta and certain other invariants consisting of a number of real moduli, as well as integer vectors subject to certain constraints.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

On the `Stationary Implies Axisymmetric' Theorem for Extremal Black Holes in Higher Dimensions

All known stationary black hole solutions in higher dimensions possess additional rotational symmetries in addition to the stationary Killing field. Also, for all known stationary solutions, the event horizon is a Killing horizon, and the surface gravity is constant. In the case of non-degenerate horizons (non-extremal black holes), a general theorem was previously established [gr-qc/0605106] proving that these statements are in fact generally true under the assumption that the spacetime is analytic, and that the metric satisfies Einstein's equation. Here, we extend the analysis to the case of degenerate (extremal) black holes. It is shown that the theorem still holds true if the vector of angular velocities of the horizon satisfies a certain "diophantine condition," which holds except for a set of measure zero.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2008

A tale of two superpotentials: Stability and Instability in Designer Gravity

We investigate the stability of asymptotically anti-de Sitter gravity coupled to tachyonic scalar fields with mass at or slightly above the Breitenlohner-Freedman bound. The boundary conditions in these ``designer gravity'' theories are defined in terms of an arbitrary function W. Previous work had suggested that the energy in designer gravity is bounded below if i) W has a global minimum and ii) the scalar potential admits a superpotential P. More recently, however, certain solutions were found (numerically) to violate the proposed energy bound. We resolve the discrepancy by observing that a given scalar potential can admit two possible branches of the corresponding superpotential, P_{\pm}. When there is a P_- branch, we rigorously prove a lower bound on the energy; the P_+ branch alone is not sufficient. Our numerical investigations i) confirm this picture, ii) confirm other critical aspects of the (complicated) proofs, and iii) suggest that the existence of P_- may in fact be necessary (as well as sufficient) for the energy of a designer gravity theory to be bounded below.

hep-th↗

arXiv2007

A Uniqueness theorem for 5-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell black holes

In a previous paper arXiv:0707.2775 [gr-qc] we showed that stationary asymptotically flat vacuum black hole solutions in 5 dimensions with two commuting axial Killing fields can be completely characterized by their mass, angular momentum, a set of real moduli, and a set of winding numbers. In this paper we generalize our analysis to include Maxwell fields.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2007

Uniqueness theorem for 5-dimensional black holes with two axial Killing fields

We show that two stationary, asymptotically flat vacuum black holes in 5 dimensions with two commuting axial symmetries are identical if and only if their masses, angular momenta, and their ``rod structures'' coincide. We also show that the horizon must be topologically either a 3-sphere, a ring, or a Lens-space. Our argument is a generalization of constructions of Morisawa and Ida (based in turn on key work of Maison) who considered the spherical case, combined with basic arguments concerning the nature of the factor manifold of symmetry orbits.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

Asymptotic generators of fermionic charges and boundary conditions preserving supersymmetry

We use a covariant phase space formalism to give a general prescription for defining Hamiltonian generators of bosonic and fermionic symmetries in diffeomorphism invariant theories, such as supergravities. A simple and general criterion is derived for a choice of boundary condition to lead to conserved generators of the symmetries on the phase space. In particular, this provides a criterion for the preservation of supersymmetries. For bosonic symmetries corresponding to diffeomorphisms, our prescription coincides with the method of Wald et al. We then illustrate these methods in the case of certain supergravity theories in $d=4$. In minimal AdS supergravity, the boundary conditions such that the supercharges exist as Hamiltonian generators of supersymmetry transformations are unique within the usual framework in which the boundary metric is fixed. In extended ${\mathcal N}=4$ AdS supergravity, or more generally in the presence of chiral matter superfields, we find that there exist many boundary conditions preserving ${\mathcal N}=1$ supersymmetry for which corresponding generators exist. These choices are shown to correspond to a choice of certain arbitrary boundary ``superpotentials,'' for suitably defined ``boundary superfields.'' We also derive corresponding formulae for the conserved bosonic charges, such as energy, in those theories, and we argue that energy is always positive, for any supersymmetry-preserving boundary conditions. We finally comment on the relevance and interpretation of our results within the AdS-CFT correspondence.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

A Higher Dimensional Stationary Rotating Black Hole Must be Axisymmetric

A key result in the proof of black hole uniqueness in 4-dimensions is that a stationary black hole that is ``rotating''--i.e., is such that the stationary Killing field is not everywhere normal to the horizon--must be axisymmetric. The proof of this result in 4-dimensions relies on the fact that the orbits of the stationary Killing field on the horizon have the property that they must return to the same null geodesic generator of the horizon after a certain period, $P$. This latter property follows, in turn, from the fact that the cross-sections of the horizon are two-dimensional spheres. However, in spacetimes of dimension greater than 4, it is no longer true that the orbits of the stationary Killing field on the horizon must return to the same null geodesic generator. In this paper, we prove that, nevertheless, a higher dimensional stationary black hole that is rotating must be axisymmetric. No assumptions are made concerning the topology of the horizon cross-sections other than that they are compact. However, we assume that the horizon is non-degenerate and, as in the 4-dimensional proof, that the spacetime is analytic.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2006

The operator product expansion for perturbative quantum field theory in curved spacetime

We present an algorithm for constructing the Wilson operator product expansion (OPE) for perturbative interacting quantum field theory in general Lorentzian curved spacetimes, to arbitrary orders in perturbation theory. The remainder in this expansion is shown to go to zero at short distances in the sense of expectation values in arbitrary Hadamard states. We also establish a number of general properties of the OPE coefficients: (a) they only depend (locally and covariantly) upon the spacetime metric and coupling constants, (b) they satisfy an associativity property, (c) they satisfy a renormalization group equation, (d) they satisfy a certain microlocal wave front set condition, (e) they possess a ``scaling expansion''. The latter means that each OPE coefficient can be written as a sum of terms, each of which is the product of a curvature polynomial at a spacetime point, times a Lorentz invariant Minkowski distribution in the tangent space of that point. The algorithm is illustrated in an example.

gr-qc↗