SciPost Submission Page
Massive fields and Wilson spools in JT gravity
by Jackson R. Fliss
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Jackson R. Fliss |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | scipost_202507_00032v1 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | Aug. 6, 2025 |
| Date submitted: | July 10, 2025, 5:53 p.m. |
| Submitted by: | Jackson R. Fliss |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
|
| Approach: | Theoretical |
Abstract
We give a prescription for minimally coupling massive matter to JT gravity with either sign of cosmological constant directly in its formulation as a topological BF theory. This coupling takes the form of a `Wilson spool,' originally introduced in the context of three-dimensional gravity. The Wilson spool expresses the exact one-loop partition function as the integral over a Wilson loop operator. We construct the spool by considering the partition function of a massive scalar field on Euclidean dS$_2$ and on Euclidean AdS$_2$. We discuss its extension to other geometries (including the `trumpet' and conical defect geometries) and its relation to the three-dimensional spool through dimensional reduction.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
- Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Author comments upon resubmission
I have taken the comments of the referees into consideration and have revised my manuscript to better clarify topics relating to both motivation and technical points raised by the referees. The specifics of how these revisions address the questions of the referees can be found in my replies to the referee comments and a list of changes can be found below.
Best,
-Jackson Fliss
List of changes
Changes in the revised manuscript are highlighted in blue font. They are as follows: 1. New paragraphhas been added under equation (15) to address the novelty and potential utility of the main result. 2. Typo in the final paragraph of introduction (page 4) has been fixed. 3. A new paragraph and footnote has been added under equation (2.20) discussing the topological and physical nature of the fluxes of background connections. 4. Sentences have been added in the first and second bullet points starting at the end of page 12 to emphasize the physical role of the contour integral segments and the differences with three-dimensions. 5. The numerical typo in equation (2.49) has been fixed. 6. A sentence has been added under equation (3.7) further discussing the potential utility of the main result for higher genus surfaces.
Published as SciPost Phys. 19, 065 (2025)
Reports on this Submission
Report
Recommendation
Publish (easily meets expectations and criteria for this Journal; among top 50%)