On Bubbles of Nothing in AdS/CFT

TL;DR

This paper investigates non-perturbative instabilities called bubbles of nothing within the AdS/CFT framework, interpreting their decay process as a first order transition involving a winding mode condensate.

Contribution

It provides a novel interpretation of bubble of nothing decays in AdS/CFT using an effective potential for a winding mode condensate, linking geometric decay to quantum mechanics.

Findings

Decay corresponds to a first order transition.

The phase diagram of instabilities is mapped out.

The process involves a non-geometrical 'nothing' state.

Abstract

We discuss non-perturbative instabilities, mediated by bubbles of nothing, in the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence. By exploring the phase diagram of such decays we give an interpretation of the process in terms of an effective potential in a quantum mechanics of a single variable, a winding mode condensate. The decay corresponds to a conventional first order transition, the true vacuum being a non-geometrical "nothing" state.