Recently, a relation was introduced connecting codes of various types with the space of abelian (Narain) 2d CFTs. We extend this relation to provide holographic description of code CFTs in terms of abelian Chern-Simons theory in the bulk. For codes over the alphabet Z_p corresponding bulk theory is, schematically, U(1)_p times U(1)_{-p} where p stands for the level. Furthermore, CFT partition function averaged over all code theories for the codes of a given type is holographically given by the Chern-Simons partition function summed over all possible 3d geometries. This provides an explicit and controllable example of holographic correspondence where a finite ensemble of CFTs is dual to "topological/CS gravity" in the bulk. The parameter p controls the size of the ensemble and "how topological" the bulk theory is. Say, for p=1 any given Narain CFT is described holographically in terms of U(1)_1^n times U(1)_{-1}^n Chern-Simons, which does not distinguish between different 3d geometries (and hence can be evaluated on any of them). When p approaches infinity, the ensemble of code theories covers the whole Narain moduli space with the bulk theory becoming "U(1)-gravity" proposed by Maloney-Witten and Afkhami-Jeddi et al.

I will introduce the partial Bondi gauge for 4-dimensional spacetimes. This gauge includes the usual Bondi gauge and Newman-Unti gauge and is designed to approach asymptotic boundaries along null rays. The new gauge is defined by three conditions on the metric (g_{rr}=0=g_{rA}) and relaxes the condition on the radial coordinate. I will discuss the solution space and asymptotic symmetries. Most importantly, by relaxing the gauge, we uncover new large symmetries that characterize asymptotically flat spacetimes.

A manifestation of the black hole information loss problem is that the two-point function of probe operators in an eternal AdS black hole decays exponentially fast in time, whereas, on the boundary, it is expected to be an almost periodic function of time. We point out that the decay of the two-point function (clustering in time) holds important clues to the nature of observable algebras, states, and dynamics in quantum gravity. In the thermodynamic limit of infinite entropy (infinite volume or large N), the operators that cluster in time are expected to form an algebra. We prove that this algebra is a unique and very special infinite dimensional algebra called the III_1 factor. This has implications for the emergence of a local bulk in holography. An important example is \mathcal{N}=4 SYM, above the Hawking-Page phase transition. The clustering of the single trace operators implies that the algebra is a type III_1 factor. We prove a generalization of a conjecture of Leutheusser and Liu to arbitrary out-of-equilibrium states. We explicitly construct the C^*-algebra and von Neumann subalgebras associated with time bands and more generally, arbitrary open sets of the bulk spacetime in the strict N\to \infty limit. The emergence of time algebras is intimately tied to the second law of thermodynamics and the emergence of an arrow of time.

I will discuss the eikonal scattering of two gravitationally interacting bodies, showing that exponentiation of the scattering phase matrix is a direct consequence of the group contraction $SU(2) \rightarrow ISO(2)$, in the large angular momentum limit. The emergence of the classical limit is understood in terms of the continuous-spin representations admitted by $ISO(2)$. We will compare the competing classical and quantum corrections to the leading classical eikonal scattering in the transplanckian regime and discuss how observables are extracted from the scattering phase matrix.

We will discuss BPS objects in M theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau three fold X. From the microscopic point of view such degeneracies are encoded in the partition function of the topological strings on X through the Gopakumar-Vafa formula. For the first part of the talk, as an example we will focus on quintic, and discuss how Gopakumar-Vafa invariants can be calculated systematically from the knowledge of boundary condition on the moduli space together with holomorphic ambiguity equation and mirror symmetry. When the entropy thus obtained is plotted against the left moving angular momentum for fixed M2 brane charge, there is a clear transition point at a critical angular momentum. Comparison of the the curve with leading order results from supergravity in 5d shows a large deviation. We will explain the conceptual origin of such deviations using Ooguri-Strominger-Vafa conjecture in 4d string theory though 4d-5d lift. In particular we will observe that the curve is well approximated by the (suitably corrected) entropy of BMPV blackhole for smaller angular momentum and for larger angular momentum by the (suitably corrected) entropy of a particular EEMR blackring. We will show that these observations remain valid on a class of one parameter Calabi-Yau three folds.

Recently, there have been some very impressive advances in generative models for sound, text and images. In this talk, I will look into applications of generative models to Lattice QCD. The models I will consider are flows, which are families of diffeomorphisms transforming simple base distributions into complicated target distributions. Traditional ML flows are on vector spaces, which is different from our setup where we need to deal with products of SU(N). I will give details on how we built these flows, and explain how known symmetries of LQCD can be incorporated into them.

Matrix models offer non-perturbative descriptions of quantum gravity in simple settings, allowing us to study large-N dualities between gauge and string theories. However, the large-N expansions of matrix models lead to divergent series, only defined as asymptotic series. By fine-tuning the couplings of the matrix model we obtain models of pure gravity coupled to minimal conformal field theories. The free energy for the simplest of these "minimal models" is 2d gravity also admits an asymptotic expansion which formally satisfies the Painlevé I equation. These asymptotic properties are connected to the existence of exponentially small contributions not captured by a perturbative analysis and whose physical interpretation can be elusive. The emerging structure can be accurately described by means of a resurgent transseries, capturing this perturbative/non-perturbative connection and its consequences. This talk will focus on the essential role of this resurgent transseries for the cases of Painlevé I and the quartic matrix model: together with exponentially accurate numerical and summation methods, one can show how to go beyond the asymptotic results and obtain (analytically and numerically) non-perturbative data. If you are planning to attend, please send and email to pietro.benetti_genolini@kcl.ac.uk or alan.rios_fukelman@kcl.ac.uk so your name is added to the participants list in order to grant you access to the building.

For a weakly nonlinear classical system, the kinetic equation for waves governs the evolution of the occupation number of a given wavevector. It is like the Boltzmann equation, but for waves instead of particles. As has been known for half a century, in addition to thermal equilibrium, the kinetic equation has another stationary solution: a turbulent state, describing a cascade of energy. Wave turbulence is observed in a wide range of physical contexts, most notably in surface gravity waves in the ocean. Higher order terms in the kinetic equation, going beyond leading order in the nonlinearity, have never been computed. We describe a method, based on quantum field theory, for computing such terms. We show that higher order terms can exhibit UV divergences. We sum the most divergent diagrams (bubble diagrams) to derive a kind of renormalized kinetic equation. Based on 2203.08168, 2212.02555, and work in progress with G. Falkovich. If you are planning to attend, please send and email to pietro.benetti_genolini@kcl.ac.uk or alan.rios_fukelman@kcl.ac.uk so your name is added to the participants list in order to grant you access to the building.

I give an overview of work characterizing radiation in generic four-dimensional conformal field theories. I argue that for theories with conformal scalars, the radiated energy is not positive definite and the radiated power is not Lorentz invariant. I then determine the coupling dependence of radiation, for N=2 superconformal field theories in the planar limit. This involves a purely combinatorial solution of certain matrix models, in terms of tree graphs. If you are planning to attend, please send and email to pietro.benetti_genolini@kcl.ac.uk or alan.rios_fukelman@kcl.ac.uk so your name is added to the participants list in order to grant you access to the building.

The superconformal index of N=4 super Yang-Mills theory on a three-sphere is captured by a unitary matrix model with purely double trace operators in the action. The AdS/CFT correspondence predicts that this index should have exponential growth at large charges and large N, corresponding to the 1/16-BPS black hole (BH) in AdS5. I will show how the matrix model gives rise to this expected BH growth as well as an infinite number of new phases. In particular, I will introduce a deformation of the matrix model which allows us to solve it at large N. The deformation has interesting relations with the Bloch-Wigner dilogarithm, a function introduced by number theorists. I will then show how this matrix model can be expressed in terms of a system of free fermions in a certain ensemble. Integrating out the fermions and averaging over the ensemble leads to a convergent expansion as a series of determinants, showing how giant gravitons in the dual AdS5 are encoded in the gauge theory. . If you are planning to attend, please send and email to pietro.benetti_genolini@kcl.ac.uk or alan.rios_fukelman@kcl.ac.uk so your name is added to the participants list in order to grant you access to the building.

TBA. If you are planning to attend, please send and email to pietro.benetti_genolini@kcl.ac.uk or alan.rios_fukelman@kcl.ac.uk so your name is added to the participants list in order to grant you access to the building.

Dualities involving ensembles of theories represent a fascinating class of holographic correspondences. The inclusion of wormholes into a theory naturally motivates the study of ensembles, but doing so leads to many puzzles from the viewpoint of string theory. In this talk, I will discuss holographic dualities involving ensembles of 2D Narain conformal field theories. The bulk dual of such an ensemble is an Abelian Chern-Simons theory, but features a sum over 3D geometries. Generalizations of this correspondence lead to emergent ensemble symmetries – global symmetries that appear after averaging over the ensemble and are the vestiges of T-duality in the CFT. These symmetries are intimately related to the anyon data and 0-form symmetries of the bulk Chern-Simons theories. I will also discuss the relation of these emergent global symmetries with recent ideas in quantum gravity, and furthermore generally discuss the role of ensemble averaging in standard holography, the landscape, and the swampland. If you are planning to attend, please send and email to pietro.benetti_genolini@kcl.ac.uk or alan.rios_fukelman@kcl.ac.uk so your name is added to the participants list in order to grant you access to the building.

Recently, a relation was introduced connecting codes of various types with the space of abelian (Narain) 2d CFTs. We extend this relation to provide holographic description of code CFTs in terms of abelian Chern-Simons theory in the bulk. For codes over the alphabet Z_p corresponding bulk theory is, schematically, U(1)_p times U(1)_{-p} where p stands for the level. Furthermore, CFT partition function averaged over all code theories for the codes of a given type is holographically given by the Chern-Simons partition function summed over all possible 3d geometries. This provides an explicit and controllable example of holographic correspondence where a finite ensemble of CFTs is dual to "topological/CS gravity" in the bulk. The parameter p controls the size of the ensemble and "how topological" the bulk theory is. Say, for p=1 any given Narain CFT is described holographically in terms of U(1)_1^n times U(1)_{-1}^n Chern-Simons, which does not distinguish between different 3d geometries (and hence can be evaluated on any of them). When p approaches infinity, the ensemble of code theories covers the whole Narain moduli space with the bulk theory becoming "U(1)-gravity" proposed by Maloney-Witten and Afkhami-Jeddi et al.

Locality is a powerful property of quantum field theory and implies that information can be strictly localized in regions of space, and is completely inaccessible from far away. On the other hand, the holographic nature of quantum gravity suggests that the theory is ultimately non-local and that information can never be localized deep inside some spacetime region, but rather is always accessible from the boundary. This is meant to hold as a non-perturbative statement and it remains to be understood whether quantum information can be localized within G_N perturbation theory. In this talk, I will address this problem from the point of view of the AdS/CFT correspondence. I will construct candidate local operators that can be used to localize information deep inside the bulk. They have the following two properties: they act just like standard HKLL operators to leading order at large N, but commute with the CFT Hamiltonian to all orders in 1/N. These operators can only be constructed in a particular class of states which have a large energy variance, for example coherent states corresponding to semi-classical geometries. The interpretation of these operators is that they are dressed with respect to a feature of the state, rather than to the boundary.

The Thirring Model is a covariant quantum field theory of interacting fermions, sharing many features in common with effective theories of two-dimensional electronic systems with linear dispersion such as graphene. For a small number of flavors and sufficiently strong interactions the ground state may be disrupted by condensation of particle-hole pairs leading to a quantum critical point. With no small dimensionless parameters in play in this regime the Thirring model is plausibly the simplest theory of fermions requiring a numerical solution. I will review what is currently known focussing on recent simulations employing Domain Wall Fermions (a formulation drawn from state-of-the-art QCD simulation), to faithfully capture the underlying symmetries at the critical point, focussing on the symmetry-breaking transition, the critical flavor number, and the anomalous scaling of the propagating fermion.

Using the BF formulation of JT gravity, we will extend the factorisation techniques in BF theory with compact groups to non-compact ones. The Euclidean path integral formulation of these theories provides some locality interpretation of these results in terms of gravitational edge modes. We shall comment on how to extend these ideas to 3d gravity. We will aim to stress differences occurring between gauge and gravity theories already in these low dimensional examples.

We will discuss some newly found solutions to the full massless semiclassical Einstein equation (SCE) in a cosmological setting (with Λ=0). After a short introduction to the relevant notions we present the SCE in a particular shape which allows for the construction of certain vacuum states. These states may be viewed as the least possible generalization of the Minkowski vacuum to general (cosmological) space-times. In this setting, solving the SCE breaks down into solving a certain ODE which can be approached numerically and, at least generically, we obtain solutions that well fit physical expectations. Moreover, these solutions indicate dark energy as a quantum effect back-reacting on cosmological metrics and, since in our model m=Λ=0, this may not be traced back to the usual, obvious dark-energy/cosmological constant effect of a quantum field. Also we will shortly discuss some more physical problems that can be solved by our model.

We study the four point correlator of the stress-energy tensor in N=4 SYM at leading order in inverse powers of the central charge. This corresponds to the Anti-deSitter version of the Virasoro-Shapiro amplitude. At large t'Hooft coupling lambda, we use dispersive sum rules to relate the Wilson coefficients in a 1/lambda expansion to the OPE data of heavy string operators. Assuming that the Wilson coefficients are in the ring of single valued multiple zeta values (as is expected for closed string amplitudes), we solve the dispersion relations to get the first 1/R^2 correction to the flat space amplitude.