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Gravity Duals for Nonrelativistic Conformal Field Theories

Koushik Balasubramanian and John McGreevy
Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 061601 – Published 4 August 2008
Physics logo See Viewpoint: Glimmers of a connection between string theory and atomic physics

Abstract

We attempt to generalize the anti–de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence to nonrelativistic conformal field theories which are invariant under Galilean transformations. Such systems govern ultracold atoms at unitarity, nucleon scattering in some channels, and, more generally, a family of universality classes of quantum critical behavior. We construct a family of metrics which realize these symmetries as isometries. They are solutions of gravity with a negative cosmological constant coupled to pressureless dust. We discuss realizations of the dust, which include a bulk superconductor. We develop the holographic dictionary and find two-point correlators of the correct form. A strange aspect of the correspondence is that the bulk geometry has two extra noncompact dimensions.

  • Received 6 May 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.061601

©2008 American Physical Society

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Glimmers of a connection between string theory and atomic physics

Published 4 August 2008

Results from string theory, generalizing the anti-de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence, may offer a fresh set of mathematical tools for understanding some kinds of phase transitions that occur in cold atomic systems.

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Authors & Affiliations

Koushik Balasubramanian and John McGreevy

  • CTP, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA

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Issue

Vol. 101, Iss. 6 — 8 August 2008

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