Soft gravitons in three dimensions

Abstract We consider quantum gravity with zero cosmological constant in three dimensions. First, we show that pure quantum gravity can be written as a magnetic Carrollian theory living on null infinity, described by Schwarzian-like degrees of freedom. Next, we couple quantum gravity to massless matt...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jordan Cotler, Kristan Jensen, Stefan Prohazka, Max Riegler, Jakob Salzer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of High Energy Physics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/JHEP07(2025)002
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Summary:Abstract We consider quantum gravity with zero cosmological constant in three dimensions. First, we show that pure quantum gravity can be written as a magnetic Carrollian theory living on null infinity, described by Schwarzian-like degrees of freedom. Next, we couple quantum gravity to massless matter. Transition amplitudes exhibit several features that resemble soft graviton physics in four dimensions, despite the absence of a propagating graviton. As in four dimensions, we find three equivalent results: a soft graviton theorem, an infinite-dimensional BMS asymptotic symmetry, and a gravitational memory effect. We also resolve some extant puzzles concerning the partition function and Hilbert space of pure 3d gravity with zero cosmological constant.
ISSN:1029-8479