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Main Authors: Kim, Seolhwa, Kraus, Per, Sun, Zhengdi
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.19547
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author Kim, Seolhwa
Kraus, Per
Sun, Zhengdi
author_facet Kim, Seolhwa
Kraus, Per
Sun, Zhengdi
contents We study various aspects of codimension one defects in free scalar field theory, with particular emphasis on line defects in two-dimensions. These defects are generically non-conformal, but include conformal and topological defects as special cases. Our analysis is based on the interplay between two complementary descriptions, the first involving matching conditions imposed on fields and their derivatives across the defect, and the second on the resummation of perturbation theory in terms of renormalized defect couplings. Using either description as appropriate we compute a variety of observables: correlators of fields in the presence of such defects; the defect anomalous dimension; multiple defects and their fusion; canonical quantization and instabilities; ring shaped defects with application to the g-theorem and the entanglement entropy of accelerating defects; defects on the torus and Cardy formulas for the asymptotic density of states of the defect Hilbert space; and quenches produced by spacelike defects. The simplicity of the model allows for explicit computation of all these quantities, and provides a starting point for more complicated theories involving interactions.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2502_19547
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Codimension one defects in free scalar field theory
Kim, Seolhwa
Kraus, Per
Sun, Zhengdi
High Energy Physics - Theory
We study various aspects of codimension one defects in free scalar field theory, with particular emphasis on line defects in two-dimensions. These defects are generically non-conformal, but include conformal and topological defects as special cases. Our analysis is based on the interplay between two complementary descriptions, the first involving matching conditions imposed on fields and their derivatives across the defect, and the second on the resummation of perturbation theory in terms of renormalized defect couplings. Using either description as appropriate we compute a variety of observables: correlators of fields in the presence of such defects; the defect anomalous dimension; multiple defects and their fusion; canonical quantization and instabilities; ring shaped defects with application to the g-theorem and the entanglement entropy of accelerating defects; defects on the torus and Cardy formulas for the asymptotic density of states of the defect Hilbert space; and quenches produced by spacelike defects. The simplicity of the model allows for explicit computation of all these quantities, and provides a starting point for more complicated theories involving interactions.
title Codimension one defects in free scalar field theory
topic High Energy Physics - Theory
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.19547