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Non-Hermitian Quantum Quenches in Holography
by Sergio Morales-Tejera, Karl Landsteiner
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Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Karl Landsteiner · Sergio Morales-Tejera |
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| Preprint Link: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2203.02524v2 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | 2022-09-27 |
| Date submitted: | 2022-09-12 10:49 |
| Submitted by: | Morales-Tejera, Sergio |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
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| Academic field: | Physics |
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Abstract
The notion of non-Hermitian PT symmetric quantum theory has recently been generalized to the gauge/gravity duality. We study the evolution of such non-Hermitian holographic field theories when the couplings are varied with time with particular emphasis on the question non-unitary time vs. unitary time evolution. We show that a non-unitary time evolution in the dual quantum theory corresponds to a violation of the Null Energy Condition (NEC) in the bulk of the asymptotically AdS spacetime. We find that upon varying the non-Hermitian coupling the horizon of a bulk AdS black hole shrinks. On the other hand varying the Hermitian coupling in the presence of a constant non-Hermitian coupling still violates the NEC but results in a growing horizon. We also show that by introducing a non-Hermitian gauge field the time evolution can be made unitary, e.g. the NEC in the bulk is obeyed, and an exactly equivalent purely Hermitian description can be given.
List of changes
Appendix on discrete symmetries added. Discussion regarding the event horizon added.
Published as SciPost Phys. 14, 030 (2023)
Reports on this Submission
Report #2 by Anonymous (Referee 4) on 2022-9-26 (Invited Report)
- Cite as: Anonymous, Report on arXiv:2203.02524v2, delivered 2022-09-26, doi: 10.21468/SciPost.Report.5764
Report
In response to my query the authors have raised a potential issue about the validity of numerical approaches based on integrating just past the apparent horizon when NEC is violated. The authors have stressed that this requires a careful treatment. I think it is important that this has been highlighted for future analyses.
I recommend publication.