Physics

Abstract: TBA

Abstract: I will present a case for the striking resemblance between bubbles of anti-de Sitter (AdS) within Minkowski spacetime and black holes. These solutions of Einstein’s equations are motivated by high-energy physics and lack horizons. We will...

Abstract: In this talk I will discuss holographic duals of topological operators.  At low energy sugra, they can be realized by Page charge associated to Gauss law constraints. In the UV string theory, topological operators can be characterized by...

Abstract: I will compare the gravitational sectors of two 10d heterotic string theories, with E8 x E8 and Spin(32)/$Z_2$ gauge groups, and show that they differ by a subtle $Z_3$-valued topological term. I also discuss its relation to the...

Abstract: Quantum critical points usually separate two distinct phases of matter. Here I will discuss a class of "unnecessary" quantum critical points that lie within a single phase of matter (much like the liquid-gas transition, except that they...

Abstract:  Although solutions to Teukolsky’s radial equation play a key role in black hole perturbation theory, there are limitations in our understanding that obscure our practical use of e.g. quasi-normal mode overtone solutions. Towards...

Abstract: Topological defect lines in 2D CFTs have found resurgence in the context of categorical symmetries. In this talk, I will present the lattice realization of these for unitary Minimal Models. I will use Spin chains, such as Transverse Field...

Abstract: An underappreciated aspect of quantum mechanics is that large, relatively imperfect systems can show behavior that is as precise and reproducible as anything in nature. The first example was the observation of superconductivity in 1911...

Abstract: The method of exhaustively-symmetrized light-cone quantization (eLCQ) is described. As a continuous approach to solving quantum bound-state problems, it exploits the symmetries of physical systems to generate an optimal set of basis...

Abstract: I will discuss the log(N) corrections to the Euclidean gravitational path integral in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence for 3d SCFTs arising from N M2-branes. These corrections can be computed in 4d gravity using heat kernel...