arXiv subjects

Xin-Cheng Mao

Publications and source records attributed to Xin-Cheng Mao.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

BMS$_3$ modules from path integrals on the coadjoint orbits

In this paper, we provide a systematic construction of quantum modules associated with coadjoint orbits of asymptotic symmetry groups through the path integral quantization at one-loop order. In particular, for the orbits with Hamiltonians unbounded from below, we show that an appropriate choice of integration contour defines a convergent Euclidean half-line path integral. The reference state associate with the orbit is determined by the path integral of the geometric action on the corresponding coadjoint orbit. The coadjoint module is therefore spanned by the reference state and its descendants. We apply this formalism to the Virasoro and BMS$_3$ groups and derive the coadjoint modules corresponding to all constant orbits. We also compute the characters of all constant Virasoro and BMS$_3$ coadjoint orbits by counting the states within the modules, and the results agree with the corresponding computations from the path integral of the geometric action with a periodic Euclidean direction.

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arXiv2026

Holography in flipped AdS/$\mathbb{Z}$: Another approach to dS holography

Motivated by the subtleties in the conventional dS/CFT correspondence, we explore analytic continuation as a constructive route to de Sitter holography. We show that quantum field theories in de Sitter space and in a spacetime that we call flipped $\mathrm{AdS}/\mathbb{Z}$ (fAdS) are related by analytic continuation. We then develop a holographic description of fAdS in terms of a boundary theory referred to as flipped CFT (fCFT). In particular, we construct the extrapolate dictionary for general asymptotically fAdS spacetimes and compute the holographic two-point functions, finding agreement with an independent derivation based on the conformal symmetry of fCFT. The analytic continuation relation between fAdS and dS further suggests that fCFT may provide a starting point for an alternative holographic description of de Sitter physics. As a nontrivial check of this picture, we show that the Cardy formula of fCFT$_2$ reproduces the Bekenstein--Hawking entropies of the cosmological horizons in both pure dS$_3$ and Kerr-dS$_3$.

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arXiv2026

QFT in Klein space

In this paper, we investigate the quantum field theory in Klein space that has two time directions. To study the canonical quantization, we select the ``length of time" $q$ as the evolution direction of the system. In our novel construction, some additional modes beyond the plane wave modes are crucial in the canonical quantization and the later derivation of the LSZ reduction formula. We also derive the free two-point function by using Wick contraction in the canonical quantization formalism. Moreover, we introduce the path-integral formalism in which we can redefine the vacuum states and rederive the correlation functions. We show that all the results in the Klein space derived in our novel approach match those obtained via analytical continuation from the Minkowski spacetime.

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arXiv2025

Character of the highest weight module of BMS algebra realized on codimensional-two boundary

In this paper, we investigate the highest weight representation (HWR) of the three and four-dimensional Bondi-Metzner-Sachs (BMS) algebra realized on the codimension-two boundary of asymptotic flat spacetime (AFS). In such a realization, the action of supertranslation shifts the conformal weight of the highest-weight states. As a result, there is no extra quantum number relating to the supertranslation. We construct the highest-weight BMS modules and compute their characters. We show that the BMS$_3$ highest-weight vacuum character with special value of central charges coincides with the 1-loop partition function of three-dimensional asymptotic flat gravity, up to an overall phase factor ``$i$''. We expect the vacuum character of BMS$_4$ may shed light on the flat holography in four dimensions.

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arXiv2025

Quantum field theory in flat spacetime with multiple time directions

This letter serves as the generalization of the work 2505.16436, where we investigated the quantum field theory in Klein space which has two time directions. We extend studies to the general spacetime $\mathbb{R}^{n,d-n}\,(n,d-n\geq2)$ in a similar manner: the ``length of time'' $q$ is regarded as the evolution direction of the system; additional modes beyond the plane wave modes are introduced in the canonical quantization. We show that this novel formulation is consistent with the analytical continuation of the results in Minkowski spacetime.

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arXiv2024

Loop corrections versus marginal deformation in celestial holography

Four-dimensional all-loop amplitudes in QED and gravity exhibit universal Infrared (IR) singularities with a factorization structure. This structure is governed by tree amplitudes and a universal IR-divergent factor representing the exchange of soft particles between external lines. This letter offers a precise dual interpretation of these universal IR-divergent factors within celestial holography. Considering the tree amplitude as the foundation of the celestial conformal field theory (CCFT), these universal factors correspond to marginal deformations with a \textit{double-current} construction in the CCFT. Remarkably, a novel geometric representation of these deformations through topological gauging provides an exact description of transitions within bulk vacuum moduli spaces which extends the celestial holography beyond the perturbative level. Our findings establish a concrete dictionary for celestial holography and offer a holographic lens to understand loop corrections in scattering amplitudes.

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arXiv2024

Irrelevant and marginal deformed BMS field theories

In this study, we investigate various deformations within the framework of Bondi-van der Burg-Metzner-Sachs invariant field theory (BMSFT). Specifically, we explore the impact of Bondi-van der Burg-Metzner-Sachs (BMS) symmetry on the theory by introducing key deformations, namely, $T \overline{T}$, $JT_μ$, and $\sqrt{T \overline{T}}$ deformations. In the context of generic seed theories possessing BMS symmetry, we derive the first-order correction of correlation functions using the systematic application of BMS symmetry ward identities. However, it is worth noting that higher-order corrections are intricately dependent on the specific characteristics of the seed theories. To illustrate our findings, we select the BMS free scalar and free fermion as representative seed theories. We then proceed to analytically determine the deformed action by solving the nontrivial flow equations. Additionally, we extend our analysis to include second-order deformations within these deformed theories.

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arXiv2023

$T\bar{T}$ deformed soft theorem

In this paper, we derive a $T\bar{T}$ deformed soft graviton theorem in the context of celestial holography. As a concrete example, it illustrates that a two-dimensional irrelevant deformation can be applied to a four-dimensional theory at the level of amplitudes. We argue that the $T\bar{T}$ deformation has a close relation to the loop-correction from the amplitude side which could provide an alternative way to construct an ultraviolet complete quantum theory of gravity.

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