Conformal basis for flat space amplitudes

Sabrina Pasterski and Shu-Heng Shao
Phys. Rev. D 96, 065022 – Published 25 September 2017

Abstract

We study solutions of the Klein-Gordon, Maxwell, and linearized Einstein equations in R1,d+1 that transform as d-dimensional conformal primaries under the Lorentz group SO(1,d+1). Such solutions, called conformal primary wavefunctions, are labeled by a conformal dimension Δ and a point in Rd, rather than an on-shell (d+2)-dimensional momentum. We show that the continuum of scalar conformal primary wavefunctions on the principal continuous series Δd2+iR of SO(1,d+1) spans a complete set of normalizable solutions to the wave equation. In the massless case, with or without spin, the transition from momentum space to conformal primary wavefunctions is implemented by a Mellin transform. As a consequence of this construction, scattering amplitudes in this basis transform covariantly under SO(1,d+1) as d-dimensional conformal correlators.

  • Received 19 May 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.96.065022

© 2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Particles & Fields

Authors & Affiliations

Sabrina Pasterski1 and Shu-Heng Shao2

  • 1Center for the Fundamental Laws of Nature, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
  • 2School of Natural Sciences, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, USA

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 6 — 15 September 2017

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review D

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×