The space of n-point correlation functions, for all possible time-orderings of operators, can be computed by a non-trivial path integral contour, which depends on how many time-ordering violations are present in the correlator. These contours, which have come to be known as timefolds, or out-of-time-order (OTO) contours, are a natural generalization of the Schwinger-Keldysh contour (which computes singly out-of-time-ordered correlation functions). We provide a detailed discussion of such higher OTO functional integrals, explaining their general structure, and the myriad ways in which a particular correlation function may be encoded in such contours. Our discussion may be seen as a natural generalization of the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism to higher OTO correlation functions. We provide explicit illustration for low point correlators (n ≤ 4) to exemplify the general statements.The space of n-point correlation functions, for all possible time-orderings of operators, can be computed by a non-trivial path integral contour, which depends on how many time-ordering violations are present in the correlator. These contours, which have come to be known as timefolds, or out-of-time-order (OTO) contours, are a natural generalization of the Schwinger-Keldysh contour (which computes singly out-of-time-ordered correlation functions). We provide a detailed discussion of such higher OTO functional integrals, explaining their general structure, and the myriad ways in which a particular correlation function may be encoded in such contours. Our discussion may be seen as a natural generalization of the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism to higher OTO correlation functions. We provide explicit illustration for low point correlators (n ≤ 4) to exemplify the general statements.

Jan 1, 201951 citations

Spectral representation of thermal OTO correlators

Soumyadeep Chaudhuri, Chandramouli Chowdhury, R. Loganayagam

Abstract We study the spectral representation of finite temperature, out of time ordered (OTO) correlators on the multi-time-fold generalised Schwinger-Keldysh contour. We write the contour-ordered correlators as a sum over time-order permutations acting on a fundamental array of Wightman correlators. We decompose this Wightman array in a basis of column vectors, which provide a natural generalisation of the familiar retarded-advanced basis in the finite temperature Schwinger-Keldysh formalism. The coefficients of this decomposition take the form of generalised spectral functions, which are Fourier transforms of nested and double commutators. Our construction extends a variety of classical results on spectral functions in the SK formalism at finite temperature to the OTO case.Abstract We study the spectral representation of finite temperature, out of time ordered (OTO) correlators on the multi-time-fold generalised Schwinger-Keldysh contour. We write the contour-ordered correlators as a sum over time-order permutations acting on a fundamental array of Wightman correlators. We decompose this Wightman array in a basis of column vectors, which provide a natural generalisation of the familiar retarded-advanced basis in the finite temperature Schwinger-Keldysh formalism. The coefficients of this decomposition take the form of generalised spectral functions, which are Fourier transforms of nested and double commutators. Our construction extends a variety of classical results on spectral functions in the SK formalism at finite temperature to the OTO case.

arXiv:1810.03118Journal of High Energy PhysicsFeb 1, 201927 citations

Thermal out-of-time-order correlators, KMS relations, and spectral functions

Felix M. Haehl, R. Loganayagam, Prithvi Narayan +2 more

We describe general features of thermal correlation functions in quantum systems, with specific focus on the fluctuation-dissipation type relations implied by the KMS condition. These end up relating correlation functions with different time ordering and thus should naturally be viewed in the larger context of out-of-time-ordered (OTO) observables. In particular, eschewing the standard formulation of KMS relations where thermal periodicity is combined with time-reversal to stay within the purview of Schwinger-Keldysh functional integrals, we show that there is a natural way to phrase them directly in terms of OTO correlators. We use these observations to construct a natural causal basis for thermal n-point functions in terms of fully nested commutators. We provide several general results which can be inferred from cyclic orbits of permutations, and exemplify the abstract results using a quantum oscillator as an explicit example.We describe general features of thermal correlation functions in quantum systems, with specific focus on the fluctuation-dissipation type relations implied by the KMS condition. These end up relating correlation functions with different time ordering and thus should naturally be viewed in the larger context of out-of-time-ordered (OTO) observables. In particular, eschewing the standard formulation of KMS relations where thermal periodicity is combined with time-reversal to stay within the purview of Schwinger-Keldysh functional integrals, we show that there is a natural way to phrase them directly in terms of OTO correlators. We use these observations to construct a natural causal basis for thermal n-point functions in terms of fully nested commutators. We provide several general results which can be inferred from cyclic orbits of permutations, and exemplify the abstract results using a quantum oscillator as an explicit example.

arXiv:1706.08956Journal of High Energy PhysicsDec 1, 201745 citations

Equations for the correlation functions using a generalized Keldysh technique

Sh. M. Kogan

Equations for correlation functions in nonequilibrium systems are derived using a generalization of the diagrammatic Keldysh method. The four field operators of the correlation function are ordered on a time contour that consists of four axes extending from -\ensuremath{\infty} to +\ensuremath{\infty} and from +\ensuremath{\infty} to -\ensuremath{\infty} (doubled Keldysh contour). For those correlation functions that may be considered as correlation functions of one-particle Green-functions' fluctuations, a closed system of equations is obtained in the case of weak interaction of the particles with the scattering system. Its structure may be related to the Langevin approach: on the left-hand side a linear operator acts on each of two pairs of the correlation-function arguments, each of these two operators being just the operator of the linearized quantum kinetic equation. The expression for the right-hand side of this equation is derived. It has the meaning of the correlation function of extraneous Langevin sources, and the equation may be called the quantum Boltzmann-Langevin equation. In the quasi-classical limit it reduces to the usual Boltzmann-Langevin equation for the particles' distribution-function fluctuations. Possible applications of the method are discussed.Equations for correlation functions in nonequilibrium systems are derived using a generalization of the diagrammatic Keldysh method. The four field operators of the correlation function are ordered on a time contour that consists of four axes extending from -\ensuremath{\infty} to +\ensuremath{\infty} and from +\ensuremath{\infty} to -\ensuremath{\infty} (doubled Keldysh contour). For those correlation functions that may be considered as correlation functions of one-particle Green-functions' fluctuations, a closed system of equations is obtained in the case of weak interaction of the particles with the scattering system. Its structure may be related to the Langevin approach: on the left-hand side a linear operator acts on each of two pairs of the correlation-function arguments, each of these two operators being just the operator of the linearized quantum kinetic equation. The expression for the right-hand side of this equation is derived. It has the meaning of the correlation function of extraneous Langevin sources, and the equation may be called the quantum Boltzmann-Langevin equation. In the quasi-classical limit it reduces to the usual Boltzmann-Langevin equation for the particles' distribution-function fluctuations. Possible applications of the method are discussed.

Physical Review ADec 1, 199113 citations

Schwinger-Keldysh path integral for the quantum harmonic oscillator

Yoni BenTov

I review the generating function for quantum-statistical mechanics, known as the Feynman-Vernon influence functional, the decoherence functional, or the Schwinger-Keldysh path integral. I describe a probability-conserving $i\varepsilon$ prescription from a path-integral implementation of Lindblad evolution. I also explain how to generalize the formalism to accommodate out-of-time-ordered correlators (OTOCs), leading to a Larkin-Ovchinnikov path integral. My goal is to provide step-by-step calculations of path integrals associated to the harmonic oscillator.I review the generating function for quantum-statistical mechanics, known as the Feynman-Vernon influence functional, the decoherence functional, or the Schwinger-Keldysh path integral. I describe a probability-conserving $i\varepsilon$ prescription from a path-integral implementation of Lindblad evolution. I also explain how to generalize the formalism to accommodate out-of-time-ordered correlators (OTOCs), leading to a Larkin-Ovchinnikov path integral. My goal is to provide step-by-step calculations of path integrals associated to the harmonic oscillator.

arXiv:2102.05029Feb 9, 202110 citations

Out-of-time-order hydrodynamics and scrambling

Marta Bucca, Akash Jain, Márk Mezei +1 more

Hydrodynamics as an effective field theory (EFT) has been immensely successful for predicting the behaviour of time-ordered correlation functions in the long-time, large-distance regime. In this paper, we analyse the predictions of hydrodynamics for scrambling as probed by out-of-time order correlators (OTOCs). To do so, we consider an all-derivative order generalisation of the Schwinger-Keldysh EFT of hydrodynamics extended to a four-fold time contour required to capture OTOCs. A crucial ingredient of the construction is a local SL(2,R) symmetry, which has previously been suggested as a mechanism for scrambling. We also derive this exact EFT from the microscopic formulation of the maximally chaotic low-temperature limit of the SYK lattice, thereby determining all transport coefficients for this model. As a novel application, we compute the OTOC of energy currents, find that its exponential growth saturates the chaos bound, and match it to expectations based on a shockwave (or scramblon) effective description. Our work shows that the universality of hydrodynamics degrees of freedom extends beyond traditional time-ordered correlators to more complex observables such as OTOCs.Hydrodynamics as an effective field theory (EFT) has been immensely successful for predicting the behaviour of time-ordered correlation functions in the long-time, large-distance regime. In this paper, we analyse the predictions of hydrodynamics for scrambling as probed by out-of-time order correlators (OTOCs). To do so, we consider an all-derivative order generalisation of the Schwinger-Keldysh EFT of hydrodynamics extended to a four-fold time contour required to capture OTOCs. A crucial ingredient of the construction is a local SL(2,R) symmetry, which has previously been suggested as a mechanism for scrambling. We also derive this exact EFT from the microscopic formulation of the maximally chaotic low-temperature limit of the SYK lattice, thereby determining all transport coefficients for this model. As a novel application, we compute the OTOC of energy currents, find that its exponential growth saturates the chaos bound, and match it to expectations based on a shockwave (or scramblon) effective description. Our work shows that the universality of hydrodynamics degrees of freedom extends beyond traditional time-ordered correlators to more complex observables such as OTOCs.

arXiv:2610.16888Oct 12, 20260 citations

i\varepsilon

prescription from a path-integral implementation of Lindblad evolution. I also explain how to generalize the formalism to accommodate out-of-time-ordered correlators (OTOCs), leading to a Larkin-Ovchinnikov path integral. My goal is to provide step-by-step calculations of path integrals associated to the harmonic oscillator.