arXiv subjects

Volker Schomerus

Publications and source records attributed to Volker Schomerus.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Thermal One-point Functions and Asymptotic CFT Data: QFT in AdS

We investigate the thermal partition and one-point functions of the three-dimensional conformal field theory dual to a massive interacting scalar field in AdS$_4$. Using thermal inversion formulas, we determine the asymptotic behaviour of the spectral density and OPE coefficients involving heavy operators at fixed spin. We first analyse these CFT data for the generalised free field, corresponding to the non-interacting bulk theory. Then we compute the first-order perturbative corrections induced by the cubic and quartic bulk interactions. The thermal observables considered here probe a sector associated with operators of large dimension and, in the bulk description, a regime dominated by states with large particle number. This regime remains comparatively unexplored even in generalised free field theory. Remarkably, the asymptotic formulas obtained from thermal inversion remain quantitatively accurate far from the asymptotic regime, describing CFT data reliably already at intermediate conformal weights. Our results show that this feature survives the inclusion of bulk interactions and provide new analytic control over heavy-state data in conformal field theories.

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arXiv2025

Interface Correlators in Symmetric Product Orbifolds

Symmetric product orbifolds provide a controlled environment to explore generic features of gauge theory and holography. The tractability of these theories lies in the complete characterisation of their gauge structure through holomorphic covering maps. In this paper, we introduce a novel class of generalised covering maps, which define a universal family of interfaces between symmetric product orbifolds. These interfaces coincide with the holographic interfaces that were recently proposed as duals to AdS$_2$ branes in pure NSNS AdS$_3$ backgrounds. The new covering-map description enables efficient evaluation of interface correlators via a generalisation of the Lunin-Mathur method. To organise these computations, we derive a generalised Riemann-Hurwitz formula for interface coverings and introduce novel diagrammatic rules that systematically classify these maps. The new framework allows us to define a concrete grand-canonical ensemble that has the correct properties to compute correlation functions dual to open string scattering amplitudes. Using the generalised Riemann-Hurwitz formula, we explicitly show that the correlators of the ensemble structurally match string perturbation theory to all orders in the string coupling.

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arXiv2025

Analytic results in conformal field theory

Since the 1980s, many exact results have been discovered in $2d$ CFT, from critical exponents to correlation functions to complete solutions of certain models. In $d>2$, there is a wealth of numerical results as well as promising analytic approaches, but comparably fewer exact answers. The aim of this conference was to review the most promising analytic methods and results in CFT in any dimension. In particular we tried to understand to which extent the $2d$ methods can be extended to $d>2$, and what is missing to exactly solve $d>2$ CFTs.

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arXiv2025

Holographic Interfaces in Symmetric Product Orbifolds

The study of non-local operators in gauge theory and holography, such as line-operators or interfaces, has attracted significant attention. Two-dimensional symmetric product orbifolds are close cousins of higher-dimensional gauge theory. In this work, we construct a novel family of interfaces in symmetric product orbifolds. These may be regarded as two-dimensional analogues of Wilson-line operators or Karch-Randall interfaces at the same time. The construction of the interfaces entails the choice of boundary conditions of the seed theory. For a generic seed theory, we construct the boundary states associated to the interfaces via the folding trick, compute their overlaps and extract the spectrum of interface changing operators through modular transformation. Then, we specialise to the supersymmetric four-torus $\mathbb{T}^4$ and show that the corresponding interfaces of the symmetric product orbifold are dual to $AdS_2$ branes in the tensionless limit of type IIB superstring theory on $AdS_3 \times S^3 \times \mathbb{T}^4$.

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arXiv2025

Heavy-Heavy-Light Asymptotics from Thermal Correlators

We revisit the calculation of spectral densities and heavy-heavy-light (HHL) operator product expansion (OPE) coefficients in three-dimensional conformal field theories using thermal one-point functions on $S^1 \times S^2$. A central element of our analysis is a new inversion formula for one-point functions which is derived via Casimir differential equations. We develop systematic expansions of the spectral density and HHL OPE coefficients in the regime of large $Δ_H$. We validate our analytic tools by comparing the results with the partial wave expansions of thermal one-point functions in free field theories. The algorithms developed for these expansions make full use of Casimir recursion relations, thereby extending their applicability into the heavy exchange regime. In the end, we observe excellent agreement with our analytic predictions and an improvement of up to three orders of magnitude compared to all previous leading order estimates of the CFT data even for moderate values of $Δ_H$.

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arXiv2024

Comb Channel Lightcone Bootstrap II: Triple-Twist Anomalous Dimensions

We advance the multipoint lightcone bootstrap and compute anomalous dimensions of triple-twist operators at large spin. In contrast to the well-studied double-twist operators, triple-twist primaries are highly degenerate so that their anomalous dimension is encoded in a matrix. At large spin, the degeneracy becomes infinite and the matrix becomes an integral operator. We compute this integral operator by studying a particular non-planar crossing equation for six-point functions of scalar operators in a lightcone limit. The bootstrap analysis is based on new formulas for six-point lightcone blocks in the comb-channel. For a consistency check of our results, we compare them to perturbative computations in the epsilon expansion of $ϕ^3$ and $ϕ^4$ theory. In both cases, we find perfect agreement between perturbative results and bootstrap predictions. As a byproduct of our studies, we complement previous results on triple-twist anomalous dimensions in scalar $ϕ^3$ and $ϕ^4$ theory at first and second order in epsilon, respectively.

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arXiv2024

Thermal One-point Functions and Their Partial Wave Decomposition

In this work we address partial wave decompositions of thermal one-point functions in conformal field theories on $S^1 \times S^{d-1}$. With the help of Casimir differential equations we develop efficient algorithms to compute the relevant conformal blocks for an external field of arbitrary spin and with any spin exchange along the thermal circle, at least in three dimensions. This is achieved by identifying solutions to the Casimir equations with a special class of spherical functions in the harmonic analysis of the conformal group. The resulting blocks are then applied to study the decomposition of one-point functions of the scalar $ϕ^2$ and the stress tensor $T$ for a three-dimensional free scalar field $ϕ$. We are able to read off averaged OPE coefficients into exchanged fields of high weight and spin for a complete set of tensor structures. We also extract an asymptotic behaviour of conformal blocks and use it to analyse the density of heavy-heavy-light OPE coefficients for spinning operators, comparing it with semi-classical predictions, such as the dimensions of operators at large charge.

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arXiv2024

Lining up a Positive Semi-Definite Six-Point Bootstrap

In this work we initiate a positive semi-definite numerical bootstrap program for multi-point correlators. Considering six-point functions of operators on a line we reformulate the crossing symmetry equation for a pair of comb-channel expansions as a semi-definite programming problem. We provide two alternative formulations of this problem. At least one of them turns out to be amenable to numerical implementation. Through a combination of analytical and numerical techniques we obtain rigorous bounds on CFT data in the triple-twist channel for several examples.

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arXiv2024

Engineering Perturbative String Duals for Symmetric Product Orbifold CFTs

Constructing a holographic string theory dual for a CFT in the perturbative, weakly coupled regime is a holy grail for gauge/string dualities that would not only open the door for proofs of the AdS/CFT correspondence but could also provide novel examples of string duals with and without supersymmetry. In this work we consider some marginal perturbation of a family of symmetric product orbifolds in two dimensions. From their correlation functions we engineer a bosonic string theory whose amplitudes are shown to reproduce the CFT correlation function order-by-order both in the coupling and in $1/N$. Our derivation does not require to compute and compare correlation functions explicitly but rather relies on a sequence of identities that can be derived using path integral methods. The bosonic string theory we engineer is based on the field content of the Kac-Wakimoto representation of strings in $AdS_3$ with $k$ units of pure NSNS flux, but the interaction terms we obtain are different. They include current algebra preserving interaction terms with one unit of spectral flow.

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arXiv2023

Multipoint Lightcone Bootstrap from Differential Equations

One of the most striking successes of the lightcone bootstrap has been the perturbative computation of the anomalous dimensions and OPE coefficients of double-twist operators with large spin. It is expected that similar results for multiple-twist families can be obtained by extending the lightcone bootstrap to multipoint correlators. However, very little was known about multipoint lightcone blocks until now, in particular for OPE channels of comb topology. Here, we develop a systematic theory of lightcone blocks for arbitrary OPE channels based on the analysis of Casimir and vertex differential equations. Most of the novel technology is developed in the context of five- and six-point functions. Equipped with new expressions for lightcone blocks, we analyze crossing symmetry equations and compute OPE coefficients involving two double-twist operators that were not known before. In particular, for the first time, we are able to resolve a discrete dependence on tensor structures at large spin. The computation of anomalous dimensions for triple-twist families from six-point crossing equations will be addressed in a sequel to this work.

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arXiv2023

The Multi-Regge Limit from the Wilson Loop OPE

The finite remainder function for planar, color-ordered, maximally helicity violating scattering processes in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory possesses a non-vanishing multi-Regge limit that depends on the choice of a Mandelstam region. We analyze the combined multi-Regge collinear limit in all Mandelstam regions through an analytic continuation of the Wilson loop OPE. At leading order, the former is determined by the gluon excitation of the Gubser-Klebanov-Polyakov string. We illustrate the general procedure at the example of the heptagon remainder function at two loops. In this case, the continuation of the leading order terms in the Wilson loop OPE suffices to determine the two-loop multi-Regge heptagon functions in all Mandelstam regions from their symbols. The expressions we obtain are fully consistent with recent results by Del Duca et al.

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arXiv2022

Defect Conformal Blocks from Appell Functions

We develop a group theoretical formalism to study correlation functions in defect conformal field theory, with multiple insertions of bulk and defect fields. This formalism is applied to construct the defect conformal blocks for three-point functions of scalar fields. Starting from a configuration with one bulk and one defect field, for which the correlation function is determined by conformal symmetry, we explore two possibilities, adding either one additional defect or bulk field. In both cases it is possible to express the blocks in terms of classical hypergeometric functions, though the case of two bulk and one defect field requires Appell's function $F_4$.

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arXiv2022

Universal Spinning Casimir Equations and Their Solutions

Conformal blocks are a central analytic tool for higher dimensional conformal field theory. We employ Harish-Chandra's radial component map to construct universal Casimir differential equations for spinning conformal blocks in any dimension $d$ of Euclidean space. Furthermore, we also build a set of differential ``shifting'' operators that allow to construct solutions of the Casimir equations from certain seeds. In the context of spinning four-point blocks of bulk conformal field theory, our formulas provide an elegant and far reaching generalisation of existing expressions to arbitrary tensor fields and arbitrary dimension $d$. The power of our new universal approach to spinning blocks is further illustrated through applications to defect conformal field theory. In the case of defects of co-dimension $q=2$ we are able to construct conformal blocks for two-point functions of symmetric traceless bulk tensor fields in both the defect and the bulk channel. This opens an interesting avenue for applications to the defect bootstrap. Finally, we also derive the Casimir equations for bulk-bulk-defect three-point functions in the bulk channel.

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arXiv2021

Gaudin Models and Multipoint Conformal Blocks III: Comb channel coordinates and OPE factorisation

We continue the exploration of multipoint scalar comb channel blocks for conformal field theories in 3D and 4D. The central goal here is to construct novel comb channel cross ratios that are well adapted to perform projections onto all intermediate primary fields. More concretely, our new set of cross ratios includes three for each intermediate mixed symmetry tensor exchange. These variables are designed such that the associated power series expansion coincides with the sum over descendants. The leading term of this expansion is argued to factorise into a product of lower point blocks. We establish this remarkable factorisation property by studying the limiting behaviour of the Gaudin Hamiltonians that are used to characterise multipoint conformal blocks. For six points we can map the eigenvalue equations for the limiting Gaudin differential operators to Casimir equations of spinning four-point blocks.

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arXiv2021

Gaudin Models and Multipoint Conformal Blocks II: Comb channel vertices in 3D and 4D

It was recently shown that multi-point conformal blocks in higher dimensional conformal field theory can be considered as joint eigenfunctions for a system of commuting differential operators. The latter arise as Hamiltonians of a Gaudin integrable system. In this work we address the reduced fourth order differential operators that measure the choice of 3-point tensor structures for all vertices of 3- and 4-dimensional comb channel conformal blocks. These vertices come associated with a single cross ratio. Remarkably, we identify the vertex operators as Hamiltonians of a crystallographic elliptic Calogero-Moser-Sutherland model that was discovered originally by Etingof, Felder, Ma and Veselov. Our construction is based on a further development of the embedding space formalism for mixed-symmetry tensor fields. The results thereby also apply to comb channel vertices of 5- and 6-point functions in arbitrary dimension.

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arXiv2021

Conformal Hypergeometry and Integrability

Conformal field theories play a central role in modern theoretical physics with many applications to the understanding of phase transitions, gauge theories and even the quantum physics of gravity, through Maldacena's celebrated holographic duality. The key analytic tool in the field is the so-called conformal partial wave expansion, i.e. a Fourier-like decomposition of physical quantities into a basis of partial waves for the conformal group SO(1,d+1). This text provides an non-technical introduction to conformal field theory and the conformal bootstrap program with some focus on the mathematical aspects of conformal partial wave expansions. It emphasises profound relations with modern hypergeometry, group theory and integrable models of Gaudin and Calogero-Sutherland type.

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arXiv2021

Gaudin Models and Multipoint Conformal Blocks: General Theory

The construction of conformal blocks for the analysis of multipoint correlation functions with $N > 4$ local field insertions is an important open problem in higher dimensional conformal field theory. This is the first in a series of papers in which we address this challenge, following and extending our short announcement in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 021602]. According to Dolan and Osborn, conformal blocks can be determined from the set of differential eigenvalue equations that they satisfy. We construct a complete set of commuting differential operators that characterize multipoint conformal blocks for any number $N$ of points in any dimension and for any choice of OPE channel through the relation with Gaudin integrable models we uncovered in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 021602]. For 5-point conformal blocks, there exist five such operators which are worked out smoothly in the dimension $d$.

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arXiv2021

From Gaudin Integrable Models to $d$-dimensional Multipoint Conformal Blocks

In this work we initiate an integrability-based approach to multipoint conformal blocks for higher dimensional conformal field theories. Our main observation is that conformal blocks for $N$-point functions may be considered as eigenfunctions of integrable Gaudin Hamiltonians. This provides us with a complete set of differential equations that can be used to evaluate multipoint blocks.

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