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A bstract We analyze how deforming symmetric product orbifolds of two-dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 2 conformal field theories by an exactly marginal operator lifts higher spin currents present at the orbifold point. We find on the one hand that these currents are universally lifted regardless of the underlying CFT. On the other hand the details of the lifting are surprisingly non-universal, with dependence on the central charge of the underlying CFT and the specific marginal operator in use. In the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence, our results illustrate the mechanism by which the stringy spectrum turns into a supergravity spectrum when moving through the moduli space. They also provide further evidence that symmetric product orbifolds of $$ \mathcal{N} $$ N = 2 minimal models are holographic.
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This content will become publicly available on May 1, 2026
Symmetric product orbifold universality and the mirage of an emergent spacetime
A<sc>bstract</sc> We study thermal two-point functions and four-point functions involving two heavy twisted operators and two light probes in symmetric product orbifolds. We identify cases where they are universal at largeN, that is, they are only sensitive to the orbifold structure. Surprisingly, such observables mimic correlators obtained from the BTZ background, even though symmetric product orbifolds are not dual to semi-classical gravity. We discuss the interpretation of these results in light of the criteria for emergence of spacetime via Von Neumann algebras. Our analysis implies that a condition on the infiniteNthermal two-point functions cannot be stringent enough to define an emergent spacetime and the concept of a sharp horizon.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2209700
- PAR ID:
- 10630218
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of High Energy Physics
- Volume:
- 2025
- Issue:
- 5
- ISSN:
- 1029-8479
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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