Recently, it has been proposed by Maldacena that large $N$ limits of certain conformal field theories in $d$ dimensions can be described in terms of supergravity (and string theory) on the product of $d+1$-dimensional $AdS$ space with a compact manifold. Here we elaborate on this idea and propose a precise correspondence between conformal field theory observables and those of supergravity: correlation functions in conformal field theory are given by the dependence of the supergravity action on the asymptotic behavior at infinity. In particular, dimensions of operators in conformal field theory are given by masses of particles in supergravity. As quantitative confirmation of this correspondence, we note that the Kaluza-Klein modes of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times {\bf S}^5$ match with the chiral operators of ${\cal N}=4$ super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. With some further assumptions, one can deduce a Hamiltonian version of the correspondence and show that the ${\cal N}=4$ theory has a large $N$ phase transition related to the thermodynamics of $AdS$ black holes.

/pdf/anti-de-sitter-space-and-holography-58a7vi1qn6.pdf

Anti De Sitter Space And Holography

Recently, it has been proposed by Maldacena that large $N$ limits of certain conformal field theories in $d$ dimensions can be described in terms of supergravity (and string theory) on the product of $d+1$-dimensional $AdS$ space with a compact manifold. Here we elaborate on this idea and propose a precise correspondence between conformal field theory observables and those of supergravity: correlation functions in conformal field theory are given by the dependence of the supergravity action on the asymptotic behavior at infinity. In particular, dimensions of operators in conformal field theory are given by masses of particles in supergravity. As quantitative confirmation of this correspondence, we note that the Kaluza-Klein modes of Type IIB supergravity on $AdS_5\times {\bf S}^5$ match with the chiral operators of $\N=4$ super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions. With some further assumptions, one can deduce a Hamiltonian version of the correspondence and show that the $\N=4$ theory has a large $N$ phase transition related to the thermodynamics of $AdS$ black holes.

Anti de sitter space and holography

http://inspirehep.net/record/499969/files/arXiv:hep-th_9905111.pdf

Large N Field Theories, String Theory and Gravity

The correspondence between supergravity (and string theory) on AdS space and boundary conformal eld theory relates the thermodynamics of N = 4 super Yang-Mills theory in four dimensions to the thermodynamics of Schwarzschild black holes in Anti-de Sitter space. In this description, quantum phenomena such as the spontaneous breaking of the center of the gauge group, magnetic connement, and the mass gap are coded in classical geometry. The correspondence makes it manifest that the entropy of a very large AdS Schwarzschild black hole must scale \holographically" with the volume of its horizon. By similar methods, one can also make a speculative proposal for the description of large N gauge theories in four dimensions without supersymmetry.

https://www.intlpress.com/site/pub/files/_fulltext/journals/atmp/1998/0002/0003/ATMP-1998-0002-0003-a003.pdf

Anti-de Sitter Space, Thermal Phase Transition, And Confinement in Gauge Theories

We compute the three point correlation functions for primordial scalar and tensor fluctuations in single field inflationary models We obtain explicit expressions in the slow roll limit where the answer is given terms of the two usual slow roll parameters In a particular limit the three point functions are determined completely by the tilt of the spectrum of the two point functions We also make some remarks on the relation of this computation to dS/CFT and AdS/CFT We emphasize that (A)dS/CFT can be viewed as a statement about the wavefunction of the universe

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1126-6708/2003/05/013/pdf

Non-Gaussian features of primordial fluctuations in single field inflationary models

Stability in Gauged Extended Supergravity

Positive Energy in anti-De Sitter Backgrounds and Gauged Extended Supergravity

We obtain first order equations that determine a supersymmetric kink solution in fivedimensional N = 8 gauged supergravity. The kink interpolates between an exterior anti-de Sitter region with maximal supersymmetry and an interior anti-de Sitter region with one quarter of the maximal supersymmetry. One eighth of supersymmetry is preserved by the kink as a whole. We interpret it as describing the renormalization group flow in N = 4 super-Yang-Mills theory broken to an N = 1 theory by the addition of a mass term for one of the three adjoint chiral superfields. A detailed correspondence is obtained between fields of bulk supergravity in the interior anti-de Sitter region and composite operators of the infrared field theory. We also point out that the truncation used to find the reduced symmetry critical point can be extended to obtain a new N = 4 gauged supergravity theory holographically dual to a sector of N = 2 gauge theories based on quiver diagrams. We consider more general kink geometries and construct a c-function that is positive and monotonic if a weak energy condition holds in the bulk gravity theory. For evendimensional boundaries, the c-function coincides with the trace anomaly coefficients of the holographically related field theory in limits where conformal invariance is recovered.

/pdf/renormalization-group-flows-from-holography-supersymmetry-42tb4edc6x.pdf

Renormalization group flows from holography supersymmetry and a c theorem

A method for obtaining solutions to the classical equations for scalars plus gravity in five dimensions is applied to some recent suggestions for brane-world phenomenology. The method involves only first order differential equations. It is inspired by gauged supergravity but does not require supersymmetry. Our first application is a full nonlinear treatment of a recently studied stabilization mechanism for interbrane spacing. The spacing is uniquely determined after conventional fine-tuning to achieve a zero four-dimensional cosmological constant. If the fine-tuning is imperfect, there are solutions in which the four-dimensional branes are de Sitter or anti--de Sitter spacetimes. Our second application is a construction of smooth domain wall solutions which in a well-defined limit approach any desired array of sharply localized positive-tension branes. As an offshoot of the analysis we suggest a construction of a supergravity c function for nonsupersymmetric four-dimensional renormalization group flows. The equations for fluctuations about an arbitrary scalar-gravity background are also studied. It is shown that all models in which the fifth dimension is effectively compactified contain a massless graviton. The graviton is the constant mode in the fifth dimension. The separated wave equation can be recast into the form of supersymmetric quantum mechanics. The graviton wave function is then the supersymmetric ground state, and there are no tachyons.

Daniel Z. Freedman

Papers

Stability in Gauged Extended Supergravity

Positive Energy in anti-De Sitter Backgrounds and Gauged Extended Supergravity

Renormalization group flows from holography supersymmetry and a c theorem

Modeling the fifth dimension with scalars and gravity

Correlation functions in the CFTd/AdSd+1 correspondence