Chern-Simons theory coupled to vector matter on the torus

Motivated by developments in vectorlike holography, we
study SU(N) Chern-Simons theory coupled to matter fields in the fundamental
representation on various spatial manifolds. On the spatial torus T^2, we find
light states at small `t Hooft coupling \lambda=N/k, where k is the
Chern-Simons level, taken to be large. In the free scalar theory the gaps are
of order \sqrt {\lambda}/N and in the critical scalar theory and the free
fermion theory they are of order \lambda/N. The entropy of these states grows
like N Log(k). We briefly consider spatial surfaces of higher genus. Based on
results from pure Chern-Simons theory, it appears that there are light states
with entropy that grows even faster, like N^2 Log(k). This is consistent with
the log of the partition function on the three sphere S^3, which also behaves
like N^2 Log(k). Chern-Simons-matter CFTs with vector-like matter are
considered on T^3, where the dynamics is described by an effective theory for
the eigenvalues of the holonomies. We find no evidence for a Hawking-Page phase
transition at large level k. I shall 
also discuss some recent developments on the three dimensional higher
spin gauge theories and its CFT dual.

Event Type: 
Scientific Area(s): 
Event Date: 
Mardi, Décembre 4, 2012 - 10:00 to 11:30
Bob Room