$c$-Functions in Flows Across Dimensions

TL;DR

This paper investigates $c$-functions in renormalization group flows across different spacetime dimensions, proposing holographic and entanglement entropy-based constructions, and applies these to specific supersymmetric theories.

Contribution

It introduces a holographic $c$-theorem across dimensions and explores entanglement entropy candidates for $c$-functions, connecting geometry, topology, and field theory.

Findings

Established a holographic $c$-theorem across dimensions.

Constructed entanglement entropy-based $c$-functions with partial properties.

Applied methods to twisted compactifications of supersymmetric theories.

Abstract

We explore the notion of $c$-functions in renormalization group flows between theories in different spacetime dimensions. We discuss functions connecting central charges of the UV and IR fixed point theories on the one hand, and functions which are monotonic along the flow on the other. First, using the geometric properties of the holographic dual RG flows across dimensions and the constraints from the null energy condition, we construct a monotonic holographic $c$-function and thereby establish a holographic $c$-theorem across dimensions. Second, we use entanglement entropies for two different types of entangling regions in a field theory along the RG flow across dimensions to construct candidate $c$-functions which satisfy one of the two criteria but not both. In due process we also discuss an interesting connection between corner contributions to the entanglement entropy and the topology of the compact internal space. As concrete examples for both approaches, we holographically study twisted compactifications of 4d $\mathcal N=4$ SYM and compactifications of 6d $\mathcal N=(2,0)$ theories.