Physics

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Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar

May 27, 2026 | 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Add to calendar 05/27/2026 14:30 05/27/2026 15:30 Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar use-title Topic: Frontiers of CFT Data Speakers: Johan Henriksson, CERN More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/princeton-university-high-energy-theory-seminar-54 ABSTRACT: Conformal field theories are defined by the CFT data: the spectrum of primary operator dimensions and OPE coefficients. Over the last decade, our knowledge of CFT data has accelerated at many frontiers. This has been facilitated by the rapid development of various numerical and analytic CFT techniques for charting the spectra of CFTs perturbatively and non-perturbatively. In this talk, I will first put these results into a holistic context. Then I will present new results at the perturbative, diagrammatic, frontier, where we use techniques developed for effective field theories for overcoming the technical challenges involving operator bases and diagram evaluation at multi-loop level. Jadwin Hall, 4th Floor, PCTS a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: Conformal field theories are defined by the CFT data: the spectrum of primary operator dimensions and OPE coefficients. Over the last decade, our knowledge of CFT data has accelerated at many frontiers. This has been facilitated by the...

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Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar

May 26, 2026 | 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Add to calendar 05/26/2026 14:30 05/26/2026 15:30 Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar use-title Topic: Heavy Quark Dynamics at Nonzero Temperature Speakers: Bruno Scheihing-Hitschfeld, KITP More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/princeton-university-high-energy-theory-seminar-53 ABSTRACT: Heavy quarks propagating through quark-gluon plasma provide a unique, experimentally accessible opportunity to study the real-time dynamics of QCD in its strongly coupled regime. In the infinite heavy quark mass limit, the momentum change probability of a heavy quark in a thermal environment is characterized by the thermal expectation value of a Wilson loop featuring two long antiparallel timelike Wilson lines (along the direction defined by the heavy quark 4-velocity) with Wightman operator ordering. I will discuss the formulation of this Wilson loop, the KMS condition it satisfies, its calculation at weak coupling (in QCD and in N=4 SYM), and its calculation at strong coupling (in N=4 SYM via AdS/CFT). Time permitting, I will discuss these calculations in the context of heavy quark phenomenology in heavy ion collisions. Jadwin Hall, 4th Floor, PCTS a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: Heavy quarks propagating through quark-gluon plasma provide a unique, experimentally accessible opportunity to study the real-time dynamics of QCD in its strongly coupled regime. In the infinite heavy quark mass limit, the momentum change...

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IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting

May 26, 2026 | 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Add to calendar 05/26/2026 14:30 05/26/2026 16:00 IAS Amplitudes Group Meeting use-title Topic: Informal Discussion More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-amplitudes-group-meeting-85 Bloomberg Lecture Hall (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23
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IAS Quantum Aspects of Black Holes Group Meeting

May 21, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Add to calendar 05/21/2026 11:00 05/21/2026 12:00 IAS Quantum Aspects of Black Holes Group Meeting use-title Topic: TBA Speakers: Gary Horowitz, University of California, Santa Barbara More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-quantum-aspects-black-holes-group-meeting-71 Bloomberg Hall Physics Library a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23
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IAS CMP/QFT Group Meeting

May 18, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Add to calendar 05/18/2026 11:00 05/18/2026 12:00 IAS CMP/QFT Group Meeting use-title Topic: What comes after A-D-E? Speakers: Terry Gannon, University of Alberta Affiliation: University of Kentucky More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-cmpqft-group-meeting-31 ABSTRACT: In 1987, Cappelli-Itzykson-Zuber classified all WZW models for sl(2), and found that they fell into an A-D-E pattern. Using this, they then classified all the Virasoro minimal models. The progress in extending this to higher rank Lie algebras had been slow until recently, but now finally we know the analogous results up to sl(7). In my talk I'll describe this recent work. What does A-D-E become in higher rank? E.g. for sl(3) it relates to Jacobians of Fermat curves. Bloomberg Hall Physics Library (IAS) a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: In 1987, Cappelli-Itzykson-Zuber classified all WZW models for sl(2), and found that they fell into an A-D-E pattern. Using this, they then classified all the Virasoro minimal models. The progress in extending this to higher rank Lie...

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Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar

May 15, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Add to calendar 05/15/2026 11:00 05/15/2026 12:00 Princeton University High Energy Theory Seminar use-title Topic: Regge's Inferno Speakers: Zohar Komargodski, SCGP, Stony Brook University More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/princeton-university-high-energy-theory-seminar-51 ABSTRACT: We study large-spin operators in conformal field theories (CFTs) in spacetime dimensions d>2 by placing the theory on appropriate pp-wave backgrounds. From thermodynamics on these spacetimes, we obtain strong constraints on the asymptotic spectrum in the large-spin limit. The pp-wave backgrounds probe both the small-twist regime, corresponding to the Regge or light-cone bootstrap, and a strongly coupled regime of large twist. Causality on these spacetimes leads to a new unitarity bound in 3+1 dimensions.   Jadwin Hall, PCTS Room 407 a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: We study large-spin operators in conformal field theories (CFTs) in spacetime dimensions d>2 by placing the theory on appropriate pp-wave backgrounds. From thermodynamics on these spacetimes, we obtain strong constraints on the asymptotic...

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IAS Quantum Aspects of Black Holes Group Meeting

May 14, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm
Add to calendar 05/14/2026 11:00 05/14/2026 12:00 IAS Quantum Aspects of Black Holes Group Meeting use-title Topic: One-Loop Aspects of de Sitter Axion Wormholes Speakers: Victor Ivo, Princeton University More: https://www.ias.edu/sns/events/ias-quantum-aspects-black-holes-group-meeting-70 ABSTRACT: In this talk, I will discuss the one-loop determinant around axion wormholes in de Sitter. I will begin by reviewing these solutions, and explain our strategy to compute the one-loop determinant around them.  I will then discuss general features of the one-loop spectrum, including the phase of the path integral around these solutions, and its interpretation for different values of the flux that stabilizes the wormhole.   When the flux is small, the effect of the wormhole region is well approximated by a "leading" bilocal operator insertion in the sphere. The phase of these solutions then follow from a integral over positions of these two operators, and the original phase of sphere. If time permits, I will also discuss an estimate for the EFT coefficient of this bilocal insertion, when the solution has odd number of dimensions. Based on arXiv:2603.02335. Bloomberg Hall Physics Library a7a99c3d46944b65a08073518d638c23

Abstract: In this talk, I will discuss the one-loop determinant around axion wormholes in de Sitter. I will begin by reviewing these solutions, and explain our strategy to compute the one-loop determinant around them. 

I will then discuss general...

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Princeton University Special Physics Seminar

May 08, 2026 | 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Abstract: A group gives a classical notion of symmetry. We have seen a new type of "quantum symmetries" in many different fields in mathematics and physics over the last four decades. I will present recent advances in this area based on theory of...

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IAS High Energy Theory Seminar

May 08, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:15pm

Abstract: I will discuss the bulk mechanism of the stringy exclusion principle in the AdS3/CFT2 case. Consider the duality between  string theory on AdS3 × S3 × M4 and Sym^N(M4). At finite N, both the chiral-chiral spectrum and the number of the...

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IAS Quantum Aspects of Black Holes Group Meeting

May 07, 2026 | 11:00am - 12:00pm

Abstract: It was recently observed that introducing an observer makes the sphere path integral in de Sitter space positive, allowing for a state-counting interpretation. To better assess the status of this proposal, we analyze additional observables...