Beyond a=ca=c: Gravitational Couplings to Matter and the Stress Tensor OPE

We derive constraints on the operator product expansion of two stress tensors in conformal field theories (CFTs), both generic and holographic. We point out that in large $N$ CFTs with a large gap to single-trace higher spin operators, the stress tensor sector is not only universal, but isolated: that is, $\langle TT{\cal O}\rangle=0$, where ${\cal O}\neq T$ is a single-trace primary. We show that this follows from a suppression of $\langle TT{\cal O}\rangle$ by powers of the higher spin gap, $\Delta_{\rm gap}$, dual to the bulk mass scale of higher spin particles, and explain why $\langle TT{\cal O}\rangle$ is a more sensitive probe of $\Delta_{\rm gap}$ than $a-c$ in 4d CFTs. This result implies that, on the level of cubic couplings, the existence of a consistent truncation to Einstein gravity is a direct consequence of the absence of higher spins. By proving similar behavior for other couplings $\langle T{\cal O}_1{\cal O}_2\rangle$ where ${\cal O}_i$ have spin $s_i\leq 2$, we are led to propose that $1/\Delta_{\rm gap}$ is the CFT "dual" of an AdS derivative in a classical action. These results are derived by imposing unitarity on mixed systems of spinning four-point functions in the Regge limit. Using the same method, but without imposing a large gap, we derive new inequalities on these three-point couplings that are valid in any CFT. These are generalizations of the Hofman-Maldacena conformal collider bounds. By combining the collider bound on $TT$ couplings to spin-2 operators with analyticity properties of CFT data, we argue that all three tensor structures of $\langle TTT\rangle$ in the free-field basis are nonzero in interacting CFTs.Comment: 42+25 pages. v2: added refs, minor change

Unitarity Methods in AdS/CFT

We develop a systematic unitarity method for loop-level AdS scattering amplitudes, dual to non-planar CFT correlators, from both bulk and boundary perspectives. We identify cut operators acting on bulk amplitudes that put virtual lines on shell, and show how the conformal partial wave decomposition of the amplitudes may be efficiently computed by gluing lower-loop amplitudes. A central role is played by the double discontinuity of the amplitude, which has a direct relation to these cuts. We then exhibit a precise, intuitive map between the diagrammatic approach in the bulk using cutting and gluing, and the algebraic, holographic unitarity method of [1] that constructs the non-planar correlator from planar CFT data. Our analysis focuses mostly on four-point, one-loop diagrams — we compute cuts of the scalar bubble, triangle and box, as well as some one-particle reducible diagrams — in addition to the five-point tree and four-point double-ladder. Analogies with S-matrix unitarity methods are drawn throughout

Privatizing the Metro Card: Transportation Equity in an Open-Loop Smartcard Fare Payment System

The unbanked – individuals who lack a bank account with a mainstream financial institution – are one of the more broadly disadvantaged groups in American society. There is a great deal of demographic overlap between the unbanked as a cohort and other marginalized groups, notably undocumented immigrants, low-income Blacks and Latinos and non-native English speakers. These groups are an important constituency for transportation agencies in that they are more likely to travel by transit than other Americans. As many transit agencies transition their fare payment systems to radio frequency identification (RFID)-based, “contactless” smartcard or open payment technology linked to a rider’s bank account, there are growing opportunities to enhance multi-modalism in passenger trips, reduce operations costs, increase system profitability, and expand access to fare payment media. However, due to equity requirements of the Civil Rights Act, transit agencies must ensure that the smartcard technology also accommodates the unbanked. Ensuring that transit fare payment systems adequately serve the unbanked requires an assessment of New York’s unbanked population beyond that which is available in current academic literature. A 2011 study from the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs identified several New York City neighborhoods with the highest proportions of unbanked and underbanked residents. Through intercept surveys in two of these majority-unbanked neighborhoods – Fordham (Bronx) and Bushwick (Brooklyn) – this study attempts to clarify the travel behavior and fare payment characteristics of the un(der)banked. In addition, this study investigates potential fare policy alternatives in an open payment system that would adequately accommodate the transportation needs of the unbanked. To articulate policy recommendations to meet this objective, this study includes structured interviews with transit fare policy experts in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. These interviews explored how transit agencies can select the most appropriate fare payment technology; effectively partner with retailers and alternative financial services (AFS) to make its new fare payment medium accessible to un(der)banked communities; and establish performance metrics to monitor the fare payment system’s long-term equity

dd-dimensional SYK, AdS Loops, and 6j6j Symbols

We study the $6j$ symbol for the conformal group, and its appearance in three seemingly unrelated contexts: the SYK model, conformal representation theory, and perturbative amplitudes in AdS. The contribution of the planar Feynman diagrams to the three-point function of the bilinear singlets in SYK is shown to be a $6j$ symbol. We generalize the computation of these and other Feynman diagrams to $d$ dimensions. The $6j$ symbol can be viewed as the crossing kernel for conformal partial waves, which may be computed using the Lorentzian inversion formula. We provide closed-form expressions for $6j$ symbols in $d=1,2,4$. In AdS, we show that the $6j$ symbol is the Lorentzian inversion of a crossing-symmetric tree-level exchange amplitude, thus efficiently packaging the double-trace OPE data. Finally, we consider one-loop diagrams in AdS with internal scalars and external spinning operators, and show that the triangle diagram is a $6j$ symbol, while one-loop $n$-gon diagrams are built out of $6j$ symbols.Comment: 62 pages; v2 fixed typos and references, added comments about anomalous dimensions; v3, fixed typos, published versio

The Conformal Bootstrap at Finite Temperature

We initiate an approach to constraining conformal field theory (CFT) data at finite temperature using methods inspired by the conformal bootstrap for vacuum correlation functions. We focus on thermal one- and two-point functions of local operators on the plane. The KMS condition for thermal two-point functions is cast as a crossing equation. By studying the analyticity properties of thermal two-point functions, we derive a "thermal inversion formula" whose output is the set of thermal one-point functions for all operators appearing in a given OPE. This involves identifying a kinematic regime which is the analog of the Regge regime for four-point functions. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the inversion formula by recovering the spectrum and thermal one-point functions in mean field theory, and computing thermal one-point functions for all higher-spin currents in the critical $O(N)$ model at leading order in $1/N$. Furthermore, we develop a systematic perturbation theory for thermal data in the large spin, low-twist spectrum of any CFT. We explain how the inversion formula and KMS condition may be combined to algorithmically constrain CFTs at finite temperature. Throughout, we draw analogies to the bootstrap for vacuum four-point functions. Finally, we discuss future directions for the thermal conformal bootstrap program, emphasizing applications to various types of CFTs, including those with holographic duals.Comment: 59 pages plus appendices, 14 figures. v2: added refs, minor correction

Unitarity Methods in AdS/CFT

We develop a systematic unitarity method for loop-level AdS scattering amplitudes, dual to non-planar CFT correlators, from both bulk and boundary perspectives. We identify cut operators acting on bulk amplitudes that put virtual lines on shell, and show how the conformal partial wave decomposition of the amplitudes may be efficiently computed by gluing lower-loop amplitudes. A central role is played by the double discontinuity of the amplitude, which has a direct relation to these cuts. We then exhibit a precise, intuitive map between the diagrammatic approach in the bulk using cutting and gluing, and the algebraic, holographic unitarity method of [1] that constructs the non-planar correlator from planar CFT data. Our analysis focuses mostly on four-point, one-loop diagrams — we compute cuts of the scalar bubble, triangle and box, as well as some one-particle reducible diagrams — in addition to the five-point tree and four-point double-ladder. Analogies with S-matrix unitarity methods are drawn throughout

On the growth of linear perturbations

We consider the linear growth of matter perturbations in various dark energy (DE) models. We show the existence of a constraint valid at $z=0$ between the background and dark energy parameters and the matter perturbations growth parameters. For $\Lambda$CDM $\gamma'_0\equiv \frac{d\gamma}{dz}_0$ lies in a very narrow interval $-0.0195 \le \gamma'_0 \le -0.0157$ for $0.2 \le \Omega_{m,0}\le 0.35$. Models with a constant equation of state inside General Relativity (GR) are characterized by a quasi-constant $\gamma'_0$, for $\Omega_{m,0}=0.3$ for example we have $\gamma'_0\approx -0.02$ while $\gamma_0$ can have a nonnegligible variation. A smoothly varying equation of state inside GR does not produce either $|\gamma'_0|>0.02$. A measurement of $\gamma(z)$ on small redshifts could help discriminate between various DE models even if their $\gamma_0$ is close, a possibility interesting for DE models outside GR for which a significant $\gamma'_0$ can be obtained.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures. Results unchanged; clarifying sentence added; one reference adde