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Equilibrium density matrices for the 2D black hole sigma models from an integrable spin chain

Vladimir V. Bazhanov, Kotousov, Gleb A., Sergei L. Lukyanov

Published Jan 1, 2020• 14 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

This work concerns the quantum Lorentzian and Euclidean black hole non-linear sigma models. For the Euclidean black hole sigma model an equilibrium density matrix is proposed, which reproduces the modular invariant partition function from the 2001 paper of Maldacena, Ooguri and Son. For the Lorentzian black hole sigma model, using its formulation as a gauged ${\rm SL}(2,\mathbb{R})$ WZW model, we describe the linear and Hermitian structure of its space of states and also propose an expression for the equilibrium density matrix. Our analysis is guided by the results of the study of a certain critical, integrable spin chain. In the scaling limit, the latter exhibits the key features of the Lorentzian black hole sigma model including the same global symmetries, the same algebra of extended conformal symmetry and a continuous spectrum of conformal dimensions.

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Equilibrium density matrices for the 2D black hole sigma models from an integrable spin chain

Vladimir V. Bazhanov, Gleb A. Kotousov, Sergei L. Lukyanov

Abstract This work concerns the quantum Lorentzian and Euclidean black hole non-linear sigma models. For the Euclidean black hole sigma model an equilibrium density matrix is proposed, which reproduces the modular invariant partition function from the 2001 paper of Maldacena, Ooguri and Son. For the Lorentzian black hole sigma model, using its formulation as a gauged SL(2, ℝ) WZW model, we describe the linear and Hermitian structure of its space of states and also propose an expression for the equilibrium density matrix. Our analysis is guided by the results of the study of a certain critical, integrable spin chain. In the scaling limit, the latter exhibits the key features of the Lorentzian black hole sigma model including the same global symmetries, the same algebra of extended conformal symmetry and a continuous spectrum of conformal dimensions.

arXiv:2010.10603•Journal of High Energy Physics•Mar 1, 2021•8 citations

Nonlinear integral equations for the $\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb {R})/\mathrm{U}(1)$ black hole sigma model

Constantin Candu, Yacine Ikhlef

It was previously established that the critical staggered XXZ spin chain provides a lattice regularization of the black hole conformal field theory (CFT). We reconsider the continuum limit of this spin chain with the exact method of nonlinear integral equations (NLIEs), paying particular attention to the effects of a singular integration kernel. With the help of the NLIEs, we rederive the continuous black hole spectrum, but also numerically match the density of states of the spin chain with that of the CFT, which is a new result. Finally, we briefly discuss the integrable structure of the black hole CFT and the identification of its massive integrable perturbation on the lattice.

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Quantum-group-invariant $$ {D}_{n+1}^{(2)} $$ models: Bethe ansatz and finite-size spectrum

Holger Frahm, Sascha Gehrmann, Rafael I. Nepomechie +1 more

A bstract We consider the quantum integrable spin chain models associated with the Jimbo R-matrix based on the quantum affine algebra $$ {D}_{n+1}^{(2)} $$ D n + 1 2 , subject to quantum-group-invariant boundary conditions parameterized by two discrete variables p = 0, . . . , n and ε = 0, 1. We develop the analytical Bethe ansatz for the previously unexplored case ε = 1 with any n , and use it to investigate the effects of different boundary conditions on the finite-size spectrum of the quantum spin chain based on the rank-2 algebra $$ {D}_3^{(2)} $$ D 3 2 . Previous work on this model with periodic boundary conditions has shown that it is critical for the range of anisotropy parameters 0 < γ < π /4, where its scaling limit is described by a non-compact CFT with continuous degrees of freedom related to two copies of the 2D black hole sigma model. The scaling limit of the model with quantum-group-invariant boundary conditions depends on the parameter ε : similarly as in the rank-1 $$ {D}_2^{(2)} $$ D 2 2 chain, we find that the symmetry of the lattice model is spontaneously broken, and the spectrum of conformal weights has both discrete and continuous components, for ε = 1. For p = 1, the latter coincides with that of the $$ {D}_2^{(2)} $$ D 2 2 chain, which should correspond to a non-compact brane related to one black hole CFT in the presence of boundaries. For ε = 0, the spectrum of conformal weights is purely discrete.

arXiv:2509.00610•Journal of High Energy Physics•Dec 16, 2025•0 citations

Classical conformal blocks, Coulomb gas integrals and Richardson-Gaudin models

Marcin Radosław Piątek, R. G. Nazmitdinov, Antonio Puente +1 more

Abstract Virasoro conformal blocks are universal ingredients of correlation functions of two-dimensional conformal field theories (2d CFTs) with Virasoro symmetry. It is acknowledged that in the (classical) limit of large central charge of the Virasoro algebra and large external, and intermediate conformal weights with fixed ratios of these parameters Virasoro blocks exponentiate to functions known as Zamolodchikovs’ classical blocks. The latter are special functions which have awesome mathematical and physical applications. Uniformization, monodromy problems, black holes physics, quantum gravity, entanglement, quantum chaos, holography, $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 2 gauge theory and quantum integrable systems (QIS) are just some of contexts, where classical Virasoro blocks are in use. In this paper, exploiting known connections between power series and integral representations of (quantum) Virasoro blocks, we propose new finite closed formulae for certain multi-point classical Virasoro blocks on the sphere. Indeed, combining classical limit of Virasoro blocks expansions with a saddle point asymptotics of Dotsenko-Fateev (DF) integrals one can relate classical Virasoro blocks with a critical value of the “Dotsenko-Fateev matrix model action”. The latter is the “DF action” evaluated on a solution of saddle point equations which take the form of Bethe equations for certain QIS (Gaudin spin models). A link with integrable models is our main motivation for this research line. For instance, analogous quantities as the “DF on-shell action” appear in 2d CFT realization of the so-called Richardson’s solution of the reduced BCS model describing physics of ultra-small superconducting grains. Precisely, the Richardson solution and its particular limit characterizing the rational Gaudin model have known implementation in 2d CFT in terms of a free field representation of certain (perturbed and unperturbed) WZW blocks. The WZW analogue of the “DF on-shell action” appears here and plays a crucial role, it is a generating function for eigenvalues of quantum integrals of motion. An exploration of relationships between power expansions and Coulomb gas representations of the aforementioned WZW blocks could pave a way for new analytical tools useful in the study of models of the Richardson-Gaudin type.

arXiv:2110.15009•Journal of High Energy Physics•Apr 15, 2022•3 citations

Black holes as random particles: entanglement dynamics in infinite range and matrix models

Javier M. Magán

We first propose and study a quantum toy model of black hole dynamics. The model is unitary, displays quantum thermalization, and the Hamiltonian couples every oscillator with every other, a feature intended to emulate the color sector physics of large- $$ \mathcal{N} $$ matrix models. Considering out of equilibrium initial states, we analytically compute the time evolution of every correlator of the theory and of the entanglement entropies, allowing a proper discussion of global thermalization/scrambling of information through the entire system. Microscopic non-locality causes factorization of reduced density matrices, and entanglement just depends on the time evolution of occupation densities. In the second part of the article, we show how the gained intuition extends to large- $$ \mathcal{N} $$ matrix models, where we provide a gauge invariant entanglement entropy for ‘generalized free fields’, again depending solely on the quasinormal frequencies. The results challenge the fast scrambling conjecture and point to a natural scenario for the emergence of the so-called brick wall or stretched horizon. Finally, peculiarities of these models in regards to the thermodynamic limit and the information paradox are highlighted.

arXiv:1601.04663•Journal of High Energy Physics•Aug 1, 2016•35 citations

Finite size spectrum of the staggered six-vertex model with Uq($$ \mathfrak{sl} $$(2))-invariant boundary conditions

Holger Frahm, Sascha Gehrmann

Abstract The finite size spectrum of the critical ℤ2-staggered spin-1/2 XXZ model with quantum group invariant boundary conditions is studied. For a particular (self-dual) choice of the staggering the spectrum of conformal weights of this model has been recently been shown to have a continuous component, similar as in the model with periodic boundary conditions whose continuum limit has been found to be described in terms of the non-compact SU(2, ℝ)/U(1) Euclidean black hole conformal field theory (CFT). Here we show that the same is true for a range of the staggering parameter. In addition we find that levels from the discrete part of the spectrum of this CFT emerge as the anisotropy is varied. The finite size amplitudes of both the continuous and the discrete levels are related to the corresponding eigenvalues of a quasi-momentum operator which commutes with the Hamiltonian and the transfer matrix of the model.

arXiv:2111.00850•Journal of High Energy Physics•Jan 1, 2022•11 citations
This work concerns the quantum Lorentzian and Euclidean black hole non-linear sigma models. For the Euclidean black hole sigma model an equilibrium density matrix is proposed, which reproduces the modular invariant partition function from the 2001 paper of Maldacena, Ooguri and Son. For the Lorentzian black hole sigma model, using its formulation as a gauged SL(2,R){\rm SL}(2,\mathbb{R})SL(2,R) WZW model, we describe the linear and Hermitian structure of its space of states and also propose an expression for the equilibrium density matrix. Our analysis is guided by the results of the study of a certain critical, integrable spin chain. In the scaling limit, the latter exhibits the key features of the Lorentzian black hole sigma model including the same global symmetries, the same algebra of extended conformal symmetry and a continuous spectrum of conformal dimensions.
Abstract This work concerns the quantum Lorentzian and Euclidean black hole non-linear sigma models. For the Euclidean black hole sigma model an equilibrium density matrix is proposed, which reproduces the modular invariant partition function from the 2001 paper of Maldacena, Ooguri and Son. For the Lorentzian black hole sigma model, using its formulation as a gauged SL(2, ℝ) WZW model, we describe the linear and Hermitian structure of its space of states and also propose an expression for the equilibrium density matrix. Our analysis is guided by the results of the study of a certain critical, integrable spin chain. In the scaling limit, the latter exhibits the key features of the Lorentzian black hole sigma model including the same global symmetries, the same algebra of extended conformal symmetry and a continuous spectrum of conformal dimensions.
Nonlinear integral equations for the SL(2,R)/U(1)\mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb {R})/\mathrm{U}(1)SL(2,R)/U(1) black hole sigma model
It was previously established that the critical staggered XXZ spin chain provides a lattice regularization of the black hole conformal field theory (CFT). We reconsider the continuum limit of this spin chain with the exact method of nonlinear integral equations (NLIEs), paying particular attention to the effects of a singular integration kernel. With the help of the NLIEs, we rederive the continuous black hole spectrum, but also numerically match the density of states of the spin chain with that of the CFT, which is a new result. Finally, we briefly discuss the integrable structure of the black hole CFT and the identification of its massive integrable perturbation on the lattice.
Quantum-group-invariant Dn+1(2) {D}_{n+1}^{(2)} Dn+1(2)​ models: Bethe ansatz and finite-size spectrum
A bstract We consider the quantum integrable spin chain models associated with the Jimbo R-matrix based on the quantum affine algebra Dn+1(2) {D}_{n+1}^{(2)} Dn+1(2)​ D n + 1 2 , subject to quantum-group-invariant boundary conditions parameterized by two discrete variables p = 0, . . . , n and ε = 0, 1. We develop the analytical Bethe ansatz for the previously unexplored case ε = 1 with any n , and use it to investigate the effects of different boundary conditions on the finite-size spectrum of the quantum spin chain based on the rank-2 algebra D3(2) {D}_3^{(2)} D3(2)​ D 3 2 . Previous work on this model with periodic boundary conditions has shown that it is critical for the range of anisotropy parameters 0 < γ < π /4, where its scaling limit is described by a non-compact CFT with continuous degrees of freedom related to two copies of the 2D black hole sigma model. The scaling limit of the model with quantum-group-invariant boundary conditions depends on the parameter ε : similarly as in the rank-1 D2(2) {D}_2^{(2)} D2(2)​ D 2 2 chain, we find that the symmetry of the lattice model is spontaneously broken, and the spectrum of conformal weights has both discrete and continuous components, for ε = 1. For p = 1, the latter coincides with that of the D2(2) {D}_2^{(2)} D2(2)​ D 2 2 chain, which should correspond to a non-compact brane related to one black hole CFT in the presence of boundaries. For ε = 0, the spectrum of conformal weights is purely discrete.
Abstract Virasoro conformal blocks are universal ingredients of correlation functions of two-dimensional conformal field theories (2d CFTs) with Virasoro symmetry. It is acknowledged that in the (classical) limit of large central charge of the Virasoro algebra and large external, and intermediate conformal weights with fixed ratios of these parameters Virasoro blocks exponentiate to functions known as Zamolodchikovs’ classical blocks. The latter are special functions which have awesome mathematical and physical applications. Uniformization, monodromy problems, black holes physics, quantum gravity, entanglement, quantum chaos, holography, N \mathcal{N} N N = 2 gauge theory and quantum integrable systems (QIS) are just some of contexts, where classical Virasoro blocks are in use. In this paper, exploiting known connections between power series and integral representations of (quantum) Virasoro blocks, we propose new finite closed formulae for certain multi-point classical Virasoro blocks on the sphere. Indeed, combining classical limit of Virasoro blocks expansions with a saddle point asymptotics of Dotsenko-Fateev (DF) integrals one can relate classical Virasoro blocks with a critical value of the “Dotsenko-Fateev matrix model action”. The latter is the “DF action” evaluated on a solution of saddle point equations which take the form of Bethe equations for certain QIS (Gaudin spin models). A link with integrable models is our main motivation for this research line. For instance, analogous quantities as the “DF on-shell action” appear in 2d CFT realization of the so-called Richardson’s solution of the reduced BCS model describing physics of ultra-small superconducting grains. Precisely, the Richardson solution and its particular limit characterizing the rational Gaudin model have known implementation in 2d CFT in terms of a free field representation of certain (perturbed and unperturbed) WZW blocks. The WZW analogue of the “DF on-shell action” appears here and plays a crucial role, it is a generating function for eigenvalues of quantum integrals of motion. An exploration of relationships between power expansions and Coulomb gas representations of the aforementioned WZW blocks could pave a way for new analytical tools useful in the study of models of the Richardson-Gaudin type.
We first propose and study a quantum toy model of black hole dynamics. The model is unitary, displays quantum thermalization, and the Hamiltonian couples every oscillator with every other, a feature intended to emulate the color sector physics of large- N \mathcal{N} N matrix models. Considering out of equilibrium initial states, we analytically compute the time evolution of every correlator of the theory and of the entanglement entropies, allowing a proper discussion of global thermalization/scrambling of information through the entire system. Microscopic non-locality causes factorization of reduced density matrices, and entanglement just depends on the time evolution of occupation densities. In the second part of the article, we show how the gained intuition extends to large- N \mathcal{N} N matrix models, where we provide a gauge invariant entanglement entropy for ‘generalized free fields’, again depending solely on the quasinormal frequencies. The results challenge the fast scrambling conjecture and point to a natural scenario for the emergence of the so-called brick wall or stretched horizon. Finally, peculiarities of these models in regards to the thermodynamic limit and the information paradox are highlighted.
Finite size spectrum of the staggered six-vertex model with Uq(sl \mathfrak{sl} sl(2))-invariant boundary conditions
Abstract The finite size spectrum of the critical ℤ2-staggered spin-1/2 XXZ model with quantum group invariant boundary conditions is studied. For a particular (self-dual) choice of the staggering the spectrum of conformal weights of this model has been recently been shown to have a continuous component, similar as in the model with periodic boundary conditions whose continuum limit has been found to be described in terms of the non-compact SU(2, ℝ)/U(1) Euclidean black hole conformal field theory (CFT). Here we show that the same is true for a range of the staggering parameter. In addition we find that levels from the discrete part of the spectrum of this CFT emerge as the anisotropy is varied. The finite size amplitudes of both the continuous and the discrete levels are related to the corresponding eigenvalues of a quasi-momentum operator which commutes with the Hamiltonian and the transfer matrix of the model.