Published August 2019 | Version v1
Journal article

Einstein gravity from ANEC correlators

  • 1. University of Amsterdam, Institute for Theoretical Physics (Netherlands)

Description

We study correlation functions with multiple averaged null energy (ANEC) operators in conformal field theories. For large N CFTs with a large gap to higher spin operators, we show that the OPE between a local operator and the ANEC can be recast as a particularly simple differential operator acting on the local operator. This operator is simple enough that we can resum it and obtain the finite distance OPE. Under the large N - large gap assumptions, the vanishing of the commutator of ANEC operators tightly constrains the OPE coefficients of the theory. An important example of this phenomenon is the conclusion that a = c in d = 4. This implies that the bulk dual of such a CFT is semi-classical Einstein-gravity with minimally coupled matter.

Additional details

Identifiers

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Journal of High Energy Physics (Online)
Journal Volume
2019
Journal Issue
8
Journal Page Range
p. 1-43
ISSN
1029-8479

Optional Information

Copyright
Copyright (c) 2019 The Author(s)