Do null defects dream of conformal symmetry?
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arXiv
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| Hauptverfasser: | , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2025
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| _version_ | 1866915480132911104 |
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| author | Erramilli, Rajeev S. Kulp, Justin Popov, Fedor K. |
| author_facet | Erramilli, Rajeev S. Kulp, Justin Popov, Fedor K. |
| contents | We initiate the study of null line defects in Lorentzian conformal field theories in various dimensions. We show that null lines geometrically preserve a larger set of conformal isometries than their timelike and spacelike counterparts, explain a connection to non-relativistic systems, and constrain correlation functions using conformal Ward identities. We argue that having conformal symmetry, and especially maximal conformal symmetry, is extremely constraining -- nearly trivializing systems. We consider the (3+1)d scalar pinning field and null Wilson line examples in depth, compare their results to ultraboosted limits of timelike and spacelike systems, and argue that shockwave-type solutions are generic. A number of physical consistency conditions compel us to consider defect correlators as distributions on a restricted subspace of Schwartz test functions. Consequently, we provide a resolution to the longstanding problem of ultraboosted limits of gauge potentials in classical electromagnetism. We briefly analyze semi-infinite sources for the scalar in ($4-ε$)-dimensions, consider solutions on the Lorentzian cylinder, and introduce the ''perfect null polygon'' which emerges for compatibility between Gauss' law and ultraboosted limits. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2509_04578 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Do null defects dream of conformal symmetry? Erramilli, Rajeev S. Kulp, Justin Popov, Fedor K. High Energy Physics - Theory High Energy Physics - Phenomenology Mathematical Physics We initiate the study of null line defects in Lorentzian conformal field theories in various dimensions. We show that null lines geometrically preserve a larger set of conformal isometries than their timelike and spacelike counterparts, explain a connection to non-relativistic systems, and constrain correlation functions using conformal Ward identities. We argue that having conformal symmetry, and especially maximal conformal symmetry, is extremely constraining -- nearly trivializing systems. We consider the (3+1)d scalar pinning field and null Wilson line examples in depth, compare their results to ultraboosted limits of timelike and spacelike systems, and argue that shockwave-type solutions are generic. A number of physical consistency conditions compel us to consider defect correlators as distributions on a restricted subspace of Schwartz test functions. Consequently, we provide a resolution to the longstanding problem of ultraboosted limits of gauge potentials in classical electromagnetism. We briefly analyze semi-infinite sources for the scalar in ($4-ε$)-dimensions, consider solutions on the Lorentzian cylinder, and introduce the ''perfect null polygon'' which emerges for compatibility between Gauss' law and ultraboosted limits. |
| title | Do null defects dream of conformal symmetry? |
| topic | High Energy Physics - Theory High Energy Physics - Phenomenology Mathematical Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2509.04578 |