Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTs

Abstract Defects in conformal field theories are interesting objects to study from both formal and applied points of view. In this paper, we construct conformal defects in free scalar field CFTs in diverse dimensions. After discussing the possible quadratic defects, we explore interacting setups. Th...

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Main Authors: Vladimir Bashmakov, Jacopo Sisti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-03-01
Series:Journal of High Energy Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2025)147
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author Vladimir Bashmakov
Jacopo Sisti
author_facet Vladimir Bashmakov
Jacopo Sisti
author_sort Vladimir Bashmakov
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Defects in conformal field theories are interesting objects to study from both formal and applied points of view. In this paper, we construct conformal defects in free scalar field CFTs in diverse dimensions. After discussing the possible quadratic defects, we explore interacting setups. These are realized by coupling the bulk free scalar to lower-dimensional theories, including the unitary family of minimal models M m m + 1 $$ \mathcal{M}\left(m,m+1\right) $$ . Another example involves coupling to a two-dimensional free scalar field, from which we construct surface defects for the bulk dimensions three and five. Additionally, we consider monodromy defects associated with a global U(1) flavour symmetry. In these theories, we study both self-defect interactions and couplings to Minimal Models, finding new IR defect fixed points. For all our examples, we provide results for correlation functions, such as those involving the bulk stress tensor and the displacement operator, and for the defect central charges.
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spelling doaj-art-70a1586685c54ed1b1194fdf1483ee202025-08-20T03:10:13ZengSpringerOpenJournal of High Energy Physics1029-84792025-03-012025315710.1007/JHEP03(2025)147Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTsVladimir Bashmakov0Jacopo Sisti1Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud UniversityDepartment of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Defects in conformal field theories are interesting objects to study from both formal and applied points of view. In this paper, we construct conformal defects in free scalar field CFTs in diverse dimensions. After discussing the possible quadratic defects, we explore interacting setups. These are realized by coupling the bulk free scalar to lower-dimensional theories, including the unitary family of minimal models M m m + 1 $$ \mathcal{M}\left(m,m+1\right) $$ . Another example involves coupling to a two-dimensional free scalar field, from which we construct surface defects for the bulk dimensions three and five. Additionally, we consider monodromy defects associated with a global U(1) flavour symmetry. In these theories, we study both self-defect interactions and couplings to Minimal Models, finding new IR defect fixed points. For all our examples, we provide results for correlation functions, such as those involving the bulk stress tensor and the displacement operator, and for the defect central charges.https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2025)147Boundary Quantum Field TheoryRenormalization GroupScale and Conformal Symmetries
spellingShingle Vladimir Bashmakov
Jacopo Sisti
Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTs
Journal of High Energy Physics
Boundary Quantum Field Theory
Renormalization Group
Scale and Conformal Symmetries
title Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTs
title_full Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTs
title_fullStr Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTs
title_full_unstemmed Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTs
title_short Exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar CFTs
title_sort exploring defects with degrees of freedom in free scalar cfts
topic Boundary Quantum Field Theory
Renormalization Group
Scale and Conformal Symmetries
url https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2025)147
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AT jacoposisti exploringdefectswithdegreesoffreedominfreescalarcfts