Course Meeting Times: 8.323 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I 8.324 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory II

Course Meeting Times
Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

Prerequisites
8.323 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I, 8.324 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory II
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In holographic duality, a quantum gravity system in a (d+1)-dimensional spacetime is
equivalent to a many-body system defined on its d-dimensional boundary. The
boundary system is referred to as a "hologram" of the bulk system.
How can a d-dimensional system be equivalent to a (d+1)-dimensional system? An
essential element is that quantum gravity is very special because it contains many fewer
degrees of freedom than one might naively assume. Operationally, the radial direction z
in the bulk can be interpreted to correspond to the length scale in the boundary system.
For example, two cows identical in the bulk except for their radial coordinate z
correspond, in the boundary system, to two differently sized cows, with larger cow on
the boundary corresponding to the cow deeper in the bulk. In other words, short
distance physics in the boundary maps to bulk gravity near the boundary, but long-
distance physics in the boundry maps to bulk gravity in the deep interior.
Description
During last ten years string theory has revealed a surprising and deep connection
between gravity and many-body physics, under the name of holographic duality (or
gauge / gravity duality or AdS / CFT). The duality brings together many previously
seemingly unconnected subjects including quantum gravity / black holes, QCD at
extreme conditions, exotic condensed matter systems, and quantum information in an
extremely elegant yet still mysterious manner. It also opens up new powerful
approaches for studying these subjects from completely different perspectives.
This course aims to bring students to the forefront of this exciting field. Prior knowledge
in string theory is not required. Certain familiarity with quantum field theory and general
relativity will be assumed.
Textbook
There is no required textbook, but there are several suggested books and reviews listed
in the readings section. Lecture notes are available for every class.
Problem Sets
Problem sets are a very important part of this course. We believe that sitting down
yourself and trying to reason your way through a problem not only helps you learn the
material deeply, but also develops analytical tools fundamental to a successful career in
science. We recognize that students also learn a great deal from talking to and working
with each other. We therefore encourage each student to make his / her own attempt on
every problem and then, having done so, to discuss the problems with one another and
collaborate on understanding them more fully. The solutions you submit must reflect
your own work. They must not be transcriptions or reproductions of other people's work.
Plagiarism is a serious offense and is easy to recognize. Don't submit work which is not
your own.
Problem sets are normally posted on the course website on Thursday and will be due
on Thursday two weeks later. Late problem sets will only be counted for half credits.
Final Project
Each student is required to write a final project paper on a topic related to holographic
duality. The paper can expand on a topic or problems covered in the course. It can also
be based on the student's own reading or research. It does not need be original,
although original materials are certainly welcome.
The paper should be written in the style and format of a brief journal article, and should
be at a level accessible to fellow graduate students not familiar with the topic.
Recommended length: 8–10 pages.
Grading
There is no exam for this course. The course grade will be based on 5 Problem Sets
which are due every two weeks and a final project. I may alter grades to reflect class
participation, improvement, effort and other qualitative measures of performance.
ACTIVITIES PERCENTAGES
Problem Sets 75%
Final Project 25%
Outline
Part 1. Hints for holography
• Gravity v.s. all other interactions
Weinberg–Witten no–go theorem
• Black holes and black hole thermodynamics

• Holographic principle
Bekenstein bound
• QCD in the large Nc limit

Part 2. Introducing the gauge / gravity duality
• Motivating the duality
• A bit string theory
• The AdS / CFT conjecture
Part 3. A duality tool box
• General aspects of the duality
• Generalizations
• Correlation functions of local operators
• Wilson loops
• Entanglement entropy
Part 4. Holographic renormalization group flows
• Holographic renormalizations
• Hamilton-Jacobi approach
• Holographic Wilsonian renormalization group approach
• Some examples
Part 5. Insights into many-body systems
• Transports
• Hydrodynamics
• Quark-gluon plasmas
• Condensed matter applications:
o non-Fermi liquids
o holographic superfluids / superconductors
• Non-equilibrium physics
Part 6. Insights into quantum gravity
• Outstanding questions:
o Spacelike singularities
o Black hole information paradox
• Some clues
Part 7. Status of the duality
• Some exact checks

Course Meeting Times: 8.323 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I 8.324 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory II

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Course Meeting Times: 8.323 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory I 8.324 Relativistic Quantum Field Theory II

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Course Meeting Times

Lectures: 2 sessions / week, 1.5 hours / session

More about the Homepage Image

Problem Sets 75%

Final Project 25%

• Black holes and black hole thermodynamics

• QCD in the large Nc limit

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