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Ringdown in the SYK model
by Matthew Dodelson
Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Matthew Dodelson |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | scipost_202508_00021v1 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | Aug. 25, 2025 |
| Date submitted: | Aug. 7, 2025, 4:22 a.m. |
| Submitted by: | Matthew Dodelson |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approaches: | Theoretical, Computational |
Abstract
We analyze thermal correlators in the Sachdev-Ye-Kitaev model away from the maximally chaotic limit. Despite the absence of a weakly curved black hole dual, the two point function decomposes into a sum over a discrete set of quasinormal modes. To compute the spectrum of modes, we analytically solve the Schwinger-Dyson equations to a high order in perturbation theory, and then numerically fit to a sum of exponentials using a technique analogous to the double cone construction. The resulting spectrum has a tree-like structure which is reminiscent of AdS black holes with curvature singularities. We present a simple toy model of stringy black holes that qualitatively reproduces some aspects of this structure.
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
List of changes
- Added an estimate of \beta_0 on page 10.
- Expanded discussion of SYK below (2.10)
- Added reminder of the definition of d_n in the caption of Figure 3
- Added Figure 6, which plots the spectral function as function of q
Published as SciPost Phys. 19, 081 (2025)
Reports on this Submission
Strengths
-Clever use of the Krylov basis
-Interpolation away and towards the holographic limit
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Requested changes
With the changes made for resubmission, this paper is ready for publication.
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