We consider a holographic dual model for defect conformal field theories
(DCFT) in which we include the backreaction of the defect on the dual geometry.
In particular, we consider a dual gravity system in which a two-dimensional
hypersurface with matter fields, the brane, is embedded into a
three-dimensional asymptotically Anti-de Sitter spacetime. Motivated by recent
proposals for holographic duals of boundary conformal field theories (BCFT), we
assume the geometry of the brane to be determined by Israel junction
conditions. We show that these conditions are intimately related to the energy
conditions for the brane matter fields, and explain how these energy conditions
constrain the possible geometries. This has implications for the holographic
entanglement entropy in particular. Moreover, we give exact analytical
solutions for the case where the matter content of the brane is a perfect
fluid, which in a particular case corresponds to a free massless scalar field.
Finally, we describe how our results may be particularly useful for extending a
recent proposal for a holographic Kondo model.Comment: 35 pages + appendices, 12 figures, v2: added references and a
paragraph on negative tension solutions, v3: updated reference