arXiv subjects

William Cottrell

Publications and source records attributed to William Cottrell.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2018

How to Build the Thermofield Double State

Given two copies of any quantum mechanical system, one may want to prepare them in the thermofield double state for the purpose of studying thermal physics or black holes. However, the thermofield double is a unique entangled pure state and may be difficult to prepare. We propose a local interacting Hamiltonian for the combined system whose ground state is approximately the thermofield double. The energy gap for this Hamiltonian is of order the temperature. Our construction works for any quantum system satisfying the Eigenvalue Thermalization Hypothesis.

hep-th↗

arXiv2018

Comments on $T \bar T$ double trace deformations and boundary conditions

We study the UV dynamics of $\mu T \bar T$ deformed conformal field theories formulated as a deformation of generating functions. We explore the issue of non-perturbative completion of the $\mu$ expansion by deriving an integral expression using the Fourier/Legendre transform technique, and show that it is more natural to impose Neumann, as opposed to the Dirichlet, boundary condition, for the metric at the cut-off surface recently proposed by McGough, Mezei, and Verlinde. We also comment on interesting connection to boundary conformal field theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Stability and boundedness in AdS/CFT with double trace deformations II: Vector Fields

We extend the analysis of boundedness and stability, initiated for scalar fields in anti de Sitter space in a previous work, to the case of vector fields. We show that the double trace deformation of Marolf and Ross is distinct from the double trace deformation of Witten. The former gives rise to an $SL(2,{\bf R})$ family of theories whereas the latter gives rise to an independent $SL(2,{\bf Z})$. We analyze the finite temperature two-point correlation function of current operators and infer the susceptibility and spectrum of low lying states. We discuss various physical features exhibited by these theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Gravitational Decoupling and Picard-Lefschetz

In this work, we consider tunneling between non-metastable states in gravitational theories. Such processes arise in various contexts, e.g., in inflationary scenarios where the inflaton potential involves multiple fields or multiple branches. They are also relevant for bubble wall nucleation in some cosmological settings. However, we show that the transition amplitudes computed using the Euclidean method generally do not approach the corresponding field theory limit as $M_{p}\rightarrow \infty$. This implies that in the Euclidean framework, there is no systematic expansion in powers of $G_{N}$ for such processes. Such considerations also carry over directly to no-boundary scenarios involving Hawking-Turok instantons. In this note, we illustrate this failure of decoupling in the Euclidean approach with a simple model of axion monodromy and then argue that the situation can be remedied with a Lorentzian prescription such as the Picard-Lefschetz theory. As a proof of concept, we illustrate with a simple model how tunneling transition amplitudes can be calculated using the Picard-Lefschetz approach.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Complexity is Simple

In this note we investigate the role of Lloyd's computational bound in holographic complexity. Our goal is to translate the assumptions behind Lloyd's proof into the bulk language. In particular, we discuss the distinction between orthogonalizing and `simple' gates and argue that these notions are useful for diagnosing holographic complexity. We show that large black holes constructed from series circuits necessarily employ simple gates, and thus do not satisfy Lloyd's assumptions. We also estimate the degree of parallel processing required in this case for elementary gates to orthogonalize. Finally, we show that for small black holes at fixed chemical potential, the orthogonalization condition is satisfied near the phase transition, supporting a possible argument for the Weak Gravity Conjecture first advocated in Brown et al.

hep-th↗

arXiv2017

Stability and boundedness in AdS/CFT with double trace deformations

Scalar fields on the bulk side of AdS/CFT correspondence can be assigned unconventional boundary conditions, related to the conventional one by Legendre transform. One can further perform double trace deformations which relate the two boundary conditions via renormalization group flow. Thinking of these operators as $S$ and $T$ transformations, respectively, we explore the $SL(2,{\bf R})$ family of models which naively emerges from repeatedly applying these operations. Depending on the parameters, the effective masses vary and can render the theory unstable. However, unlike in the $SL(2,{\bf Z})$ structure previously seen in the context of vector fields in $AdS_4$, some of the features arising from this exercise, such as the vacuum susceptibility, turns out to be scheme dependent. We explain how scheme independent physical content can be extracted in spite of some degree of scheme dependence in certain quantities.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Weak Gravity Conjecture and Extremal Black Holes

Motivated by the desire to improve our understanding of the Weak Gravity Conjecture, we compute the one-loop correction of charged particles to the geometry and entropy of extremal black holes in 4d. We find that fermion loops provide evidence for the necessity of the `magnetic' WGC cutoff. Moreover, for a certain regime of black holes, we find entropy corrections with unusual area scaling. The corrections are reduced when supersymmetry is present, and disappear in ${\cal N}=4$ supergravity. We further provide some speculative arguments that in a theory with only sub-extremal particles, classical Reissner-Nordstrom black holes actually possess an infinite microcanonical entropy, though only a finite amount is visible to an external observer.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Tunneling in Axion Monodromy

The Coleman formula for vacuum decay and bubble nucleation has been used to estimate the tunneling rate in models of axion monodromy in recent literature. However, several of Coleman's original assumptions do not hold for such models. Here we derive a new estimate with this in mind using a similar Euclidean procedure. We find that there are significant regions of parameter space for which the tunneling rate in axion monodromy is not well approximated by the Coleman formula. However, there is also a regime relevant to large field inflation in which both estimates parametrically agree. We also briefly comment on the applications of our results to the relaxion scenario.

hep-th↗

arXiv2016

Resolved gravity duals of ${\cal N}=4$ quiver field theories in 2+1 dimensions

We generalize the construction by Aharony, Hashimoto, Hirano, and Ouyang of ${\cal N}=4$ quiver gauge theory with gauge group $U(N+M) \times U(N)$, $k$ fundamentals charged under $U(N)$ and bi-fundamentals, to the case with gauge group $\prod_{i=1}^{\hat k} U(N_i)$ with $k_i$ fundamentals charged under $U(N_i)$. This construction is facilitated by considering the resolved $ALE_{\hat k} \times TN_{k}$ background in M-theory including non-trivial fluxes through the resolved 4-cycles in the geometry. We also describe the M-theory lift of the IIA Page charge quantization condition. Finally, we clarify the role of string corrections in various regimes of parameter space.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Dynamics of ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetric field theories in 2+1 dimensions and their gravity dual

In this note we consider ${\cal N}=4$ SYM theories in 2+1 dimensions with gauge group $U(N)\times U(M)$ and $k$ hypermultiplets charged under the $U(N)$. When $k > 2(N-M)$, the theory flows to a superconformal fixed point in the IR. Theories with $k <2(N-M)$, on the other hand, flows to strong coupling. We explore these theories from the perspective of gravity dual. We find that the gravity duals of theories with $k < (N-M)$ contain enhancons even in situations where repulson singularities are absent. We argue that supergravity description is unreliable in the region near these enhancon points. Instead, we show how to construct reliable sugra duals to particular points on the Coulomb branch where the enhancon is screened. We explore how these singularities reappear as one moves around in Coulomb branch and comment on possible field theory interpretation of this phenomenon. In analyzing gauge/gravity duality for these models, we encountered one unexpected surprise, that the condition for the supergravity solution to be reliable and supersymmetric is somewhat weaker than the expectation from field theory. We also discuss similar issues for theories with $k=0$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Intersecting D3-D3' system at finite temperature

We analyze the dynamics of intersecting D3/D3' brane system overlapping in 1+1 dimensions, in a holographic treatment where $N$ D3-branes are manifested as anti-de-Sitter Schwartzschild geometry, and the D3'-brane is treated as a probe. We extract the thermodynamic equation of state from the set of embedding solutions, and analyze the stability at the perturbative and the non-perturbative level. We review a systematic procedure to resolve local instabilities and multi-valuedness in the equations of state based on classic ideas of convexity in microcanonical ensumble. We then identify a run-away behavior which was not noticed previously for this system.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

On Axionic Field Ranges, Loopholes and the Weak Gravity Conjecture

In this short note we clarify some aspects of the impact that the Weak Gravity Conjecture has on models of (generalized) natural inflation. We address in particular certain technical and conceptual concerns recently raised regarding the stringent constraints and conclusions found in our previous work (arXiv:1503.04783). We also point out the difficulties faced by attempts to evade these constraints. These new considerations improve the understanding of the quantum gravity constraints we found and further support the conclusion that it remains challenging for axions to drive natural inflation.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Fencing in the Swampland: Quantum Gravity Constraints on Large Field Inflation

In this note we show that models of natural inflation based on closed string axions are incompatible with the weak gravity conjecture (WGC). Specifically, we use T-duality in order to map the bounds on the charge-to-mass ratio of particles imposed by the WGC, to constraints on the ratio between instanton actions and axion decay constants. We use this connection to prove that if the WGC holds, even when multiple axions are present and mix with each other, one cannot have large axion decay constants while remaining in a regime of perturbative control. We also discuss the extension of the WGC to discrete symmetries and its possible impact on models with axion monodromy, and the distinction between the strong and mild versions of the WGC. Finally, we offer some speculations regarding the import of these results to the general theory of inflation.

hep-th↗

arXiv2015

Comments on s-rule violating configurations in field theory

We explicitly construct a configuration of ${\cal N}=4$ supersymmetry Yang-Mills theory with gauge group $U(N)$ on an interval on length $L$ with a D5-like boundary condition on one end and an NS5-like boundary condition on the other. For $N>1$, such a configuration violates the $s$-rule and is non-supersymmetric. We compute the energy relative to the BPS bound of these configurations and find that it is proportional to $N(N^2-1) g_{YM4}^{-2} L^{-3}$.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

Solitons on intersecting 3-Branes II: a holographic perspective

We study the low energy effective theory of two sets of D3-branes overlapping in 1+1 dimensions, recently considered by Mintun, Polchinski, and Sun. In the original treatment by MPS, by studying the properties of magnetic solitons, the low energy effective field theory was found to require some ultraviolet completion, possibly involving full string dynamics. Recently in a companion paper, it was shown that by scaling the angle between the D3-branes and the D3'-branes in the zero slope limit in specific way, one can find simpler effective field theory which consists of a single tower of Regge trajectory states and yet is ultraviolet complete and non-singular. In this article, we study this model by further studying a limit which recovers the MPS dynamics from this non-singular construction. We approach this issue from a holographic perspective, where we consider a stack of $N$ D3-branes overlapping with a single D3'-brane, and treat that D3'-brane as a probe in the $AdS_5 \times S^5$ dual. In general, the D3'-brane probe supports a magnetic monopole as a non-singular soliton configuration, but in the limit where the MPS dynamics is recovered, the soliton degenerates. This is consistent with the idea that the effective dynamics in the MPS setup is incomplete, but that it can be completed with a single tower of Regge trajectory states.

hep-th↗

arXiv2014

On The Quasi-streamfunction Formalism for Waves and Vorticity

The quasi-streamfunction (Psi) formalism proposed by Kim et. al. (J.W. Kim, K.J. Bai, R.C. Ertekin, W.C. Webster, J. Eng. Math. 40, 17 (2001)) provides a natural framework for systematically studying zero-vorticity waves over arbitrary bathymetry. The modified Psi-formalism developed here discards the original constraints of zero-vorticity by allowing for vertical vorticity which is the case of most interest for coastal dynamics. The problem is reformulated in terms of two dynamical equations on the boundary supplemented by one equation that represents a kinematic constraint in the interior of the domain. In this framework, the kinematic constraint can be solved to express Psi in terms of canonically-conjugated variables. The formalism is demonstrated for horizontally homogeneous flows over mild topography, where asymptotic formulations for the Hamiltonian and Lagrangian functions are derived based on the Helmholz-Hodge decomposition. For potential flows, the asymptotic form of the Hamiltonian is identical to previous results. The Lagrangian function is also expressed as an expansion in terms of the surface height and its time derivative and compared with Zakharov's formalism where agreement is found for one-dimensional wave scattering.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2014

Solitons on intersecting 3-branes

We consider a system consisting of a pair of D3 branes intersecting each other along a line such that half of the 16 supersymmetries are preserved. We then study the existence of magnetic monopole solutions corresponding to a D1-brane suspended between these D3 branes. We consider this problem in the zero slope limit where the tilt of the D3-branes is encoded in the uniform gradient of the adjoint scalar field. Such a system is closely related to the non-abelian flux background considered originally by van Baal. We provide three arguments supporting the existence of a single magnetic monopole solution. We also comment on the relation between our construction and a recent work by Mintun, Polchinski, and Sun.

hep-th↗

arXiv2013

Gravity dual of dynamically broken supersymmetry

We study a renormalization group flow of ABJM theory embedded into the warped A_8 geometry and explore the dependence of the vacuum structure on the parameters of the theory. This model has a product group gauge structure U(N)xU(n+l) and comes equipped with discrete parameters N, l and k, a continuous parameter b related to the ratio of the Yang-Mills coupling for the two gauge groups, and one dimensionful parameter gYM^2 setting the overall scale. A supersymmetric supergravity solution exists when Q=N-l(l-k)/2k-k/24 is positive and is interpretable as a RG flow from a Yang-Mills like UV fixed point to a superconformal IR fixed point with free energy of order Q^3/2. The fate of the theory when Q is taken to be negative is less clear. We explore the structure of the possible gravity solution for small negative Q by considering the linearized gravitational back reaction from adding a small number of anti-branes on the Q=0 background. Following the work of Bena, et.al., we find that a sensible solution satisfying appropriate boundary conditions does not appear to exist. This leaves the status of the RG flow for the Q<0 theories a mystery. We offer the following speculative resolution to the puzzle: the -k/24 unit of charge induced by the curvature correction to supergravity should be considered an allowed physical object, and one should be adding an anti brane not to the Q=0 background but rather the Q=-k/24 background. Such a solution has a repulson singularity, and gives rise to a picture of the vacuum configuration where a cluster of anti-branes are floating around the repulson singularity, but are stabilized from being pushed off to infinity by other fluxes. Such a state is non-supersymmetric and appears to describe a vacuum with dynamical breaking of supersymmetry. Based on these considerations, we construct a phase diagram for this theory exhibiting various interesting regions.

hep-th↗