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We study the integrability of two-dimensional theories that are obtained by a dimensional reduction of certain four-dimensional gravitational theories describing the coupling of Maxwell fields and neutral scalar fields to gravity in the presence of a potential for the neutral scalar fields. By focusing on a certain solution subspace, we show that a subset of the equations of motion in two dimensions are the compatibility conditions for a modified version of the Breitenlohner-Maison linear system. Subsequently, we study the Liouville integrability of the 2D models encoding the chosen 4D solution subspace from a one-dimensional point of view by constructing Lax pair matrices. In this endeavour, we successfully employ a linear neural network to search for Lax pair matrices for these models, thereby illustrating how machine learning approaches can be effectively implemented to augment the identification of integrable structures in classical systems., Comment: 32 pages, 7 figures

We study the integrability of two-dimensional theories that are obtained by a dimensional reduction of certain four-dimensional gravitational theories describing the coupling of Maxwell fields and neutral scalar fields to gravity in the presence of a potential for the neutral scalar fields. By focusing on a certain solution subspace, we show that a subset of the equations of motion in two dimensions are the compatibility conditions for a modified version of the Breitenlohner-Maison linear system. Subsequently, we study the Liouville integrability of the 2D models encoding the chosen 4D solution subspace from a one-dimensional point of view by constructing Lax pair matrices. In this endeavour, we successfully employ a linear neural network to search for Lax pair matrices for these models, thereby illustrating how machine learning approaches can be effectively implemented to augment the identification of integrable structures in classical systems., Comment: 32 pages, 7 figures

We use the exact degeneracy formula of single-centred $\frac14$ BPS dyonic black holes with unit torsion in 4D $N=4$ toroidally compactified heterotic string theory to improve on the existing formulation of the corresponding quantum entropy function obtained using supersymmetric localization. The result takes the form of a sum over Euclidean backgrounds including orbifolds of the Euclidean $AdS_2 \times S^2$ attractor geometry. Using an $N=2$ formalism, we determine the explicit form of the Abelian gauge potentials supporting these backgrounds. We further show how a rewriting of the degeneracy formula is amenable, at a semi-classical level, to a gravitational interpretation involving 2D Euclidean wormholes. This alternative picture is useful to elucidate different aspects of the gravitational path integral capturing the microstate degeneracies. We also comment on the relation between the associated 1D holographic models., Comment: 32 pages, 1 figure; v2: clarifications and references added, minor typos corrected

The degeneracies of $1/4$ BPS states with unit torsion in heterotic string theory compactified on a six-torus are given in terms of the Fourier coefficients of the reciprocal of the Igusa cusp Siegel modular form $\Phi_{10}$ of weight $10$. We use the symplectic symmetries of the latter to construct a fine-grained Rademacher type expansion which expresses these BPS degeneracies as a regularized sum over residues of the poles of $1/\Phi_{10}$. The construction uses two distinct ${\rm SL}(2, \mathbb{Z})$ subgroups of ${\rm Sp}(2, \mathbb{Z})$ which encode multiplier systems, Kloosterman sums and Eichler integrals appearing therein. Additionally, it shows how the polar data are explicitly built from the Fourier coefficients of $1/\eta^{24}$ by means of a continued fraction structure., Comment: 50 pages, 2 figures; v2: various improvements, published version

In this note, we explore holographic attributes of four-dimensional near-extremal Reissner-Nordstrom black hole solutions in ungauged ${\cal N}=2$ supergravity theories at the two-derivative level by recasting them as a specific first-order deformation in solution space, associated with an infinitesimal Harrison transformation, of black holes in an $AdS_2$ space-time. Specifically, we use this link to exhibit how bulk properties, such as mass and entropy, of four-dimensional near-extremal black holes are holographically encoded in the one-dimensional boundary theory dual to gravity in an infinitesimally deformed $AdS_2$ space-time. We do so for the case of four-dimensional near-extremal black holes that arise as deformations in solution space of BPS black holes by changing the non-extremality parameter. For these near-extremal black holes, we further show that the nAdS$_2$ attractor mechanism can be recast as a specific deformation of the BPS flow equations in four dimensions. Additionally, we also discuss time-dependent perturbations of the four-dimensional near-extremal Reissner-Nordstrom solutions from a two-dimensional point of view., Comment: 38 pages; v2: reference added; v3: published version

The degeneracies of $1/4$ BPS states with unit torsion in heterotic string theory compactified on a six-torus are given in terms of the Fourier coefficients of the reciprocal of the Igusa cusp Siegel modular form $\Phi_{10}$ of weight $10$. We use the symplectic symmetries of the latter to construct a fine-grained Rademacher type expansion which expresses these BPS degeneracies as a regularized sum over residues of the poles of $1/\Phi_{10}$. The construction uses two distinct ${\rm SL}(2, \mathbb{Z})$ subgroups of ${\rm Sp}(2, \mathbb{Z})$ which encode multiplier systems, Kloosterman sums and Eichler integrals appearing therein. Additionally, it shows how the polar data are explicitly built from the Fourier coefficients of $1/\eta^{24}$ by means of a continued fraction structure., Comment: 50 pages, 2 figures

In this note, we explore holographic attributes of four-dimensional near-extremal Reissner-Nordstrom black hole solutions in ungauged ${\cal N}=2$ supergravity theories at the two-derivative level by recasting them as a specific first-order deformation in solution space, associated with an infinitesimal Harrison transformation, of black holes in an $AdS_2$ space-time. Specifically, we use this link to exhibit how bulk properties, such as mass and entropy, of four-dimensional near-extremal black holes are holographically encoded in the one-dimensional boundary theory dual to gravity in an infinitesimally deformed $AdS_2$ space-time. We do so for the case of four-dimensional near-extremal black holes that arise as deformations in solution space of BPS black holes by changing the non-extremality parameter. For these near-extremal black holes, we further show that the nAdS$_2$ attractor mechanism can be recast as a specific deformation of the BPS flow equations in four dimensions. Additionally, we also discuss time-dependent perturbations of the four-dimensional near-extremal Reissner-Nordstrom solutions from a two-dimensional point of view., Comment: 38 pages; v2: reference added; v3: published version

We approach the problem of constructing an explicit holographic dictionary for the AdS$_2$/CFT$_1$ correspondence in the context of higher derivative gravitational actions in AdS$_2$ space-times. These actions are obtained by an $S^2$ reduction of four-dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ Wilsonian effective actions with Weyl squared interactions restricted to constant scalar backgrounds. BPS black hole near-horizon space-times fall into this class of backgrounds, and by identifying the boundary operators dual to the bulk fields, we explicitly show how the Wald entropy of the BPS black hole is holographically encoded in the anomalous transformation of the operator dual to a composite bulk field. Additionally, using a 2d/3d lift, we show that the CFT holographically dual to AdS$_2$ is naturally embedded in the chiral half of the CFT$_2$ dual to the AdS$_3$ space-time, and we identify the specific operator in CFT$_1$ that encodes the chiral central charge of the CFT$_2$.

Extending recent results in ${\cal N}=2$ string compactifications, we propose that the holomorphic anomaly equation satisfied by the modular completions of the generating functions of refined BPS indices has a universal structure independent of the number ${\cal N}$ of supersymmetries. We show that this equation allows to recover all known results about modularity (under $SL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ duality group) of BPS states in ${\cal N}=4$ string theory. In particular, we reproduce the holomorphic anomaly characterizing the mock modular behavior of quarter-BPS dyons and generalize it to the case of non-trivial torsion invariant., Comment: 32 pages; references and clarifications added

We use continued fractions to perform a systematic and explicit characterization of the decays of two-centred dyonic black holes in $4D$ $\mathcal{N} =4$ heterotic $\mathbb{Z}_N$ CHL models. Thereby we give a new exact solution for the problem of counting decadent dyons in these models., Comment: 32 pages, 4 figures

Non-extremal black holes are endowed with geometric invariants related to their horizon areas. We extend earlier work on hot attractor black holes to higher dimensions and add a scalar potential. In addition to the event and Cauchy horizons, when we complexify the radial coordinate, non-extremal black holes will generically have other horizons as well. We prove that the product of all of the horizon areas is independent of variations of the asymptotic moduli further generalizing the attractor mechanism for extremal black holes. In the presence of a scalar potential, as typically appears in gauged supergravity, we find that the product of horizon areas is not necessarily the geometric mean of the extremal area, however. We outline the derivation of horizon invariants for stationary backgrounds., Comment: 39 pages, 3 figures, v2 references and clarifications added

We revisit the double copy description for linearized gravity and point out various technical issues and subtleties, associated with setting up the double copy description, including the problem of matching degrees of freedom on both sides of the double copy dictionary and the related issue of the constraint between graviton and dilaton sources. We introduce and discuss possible resolutions of these issues., Comment: 14 pages, proceedings Corfu Summer Institute 2017; v2: references updated

Non-extremal black holes are endowed with geometric invariants related to their horizon areas. We extend earlier work on hot attractor black holes to higher dimensions and add a scalar potential. In addition to the event and Cauchy horizons, when we complexify the radial coordinate, non-extremal black holes will generically have other horizons as well. We prove that the product of all of the horizon areas is independent of variations of the asymptotic moduli further generalizing the attractor mechanism for extremal black holes. In the presence of a scalar potential, as typically appears in gauged supergravity, we find that the product of horizon areas is not necessarily the geometric mean of the extremal area, however. We outline the derivation of horizon invariants for stationary backgrounds., Comment: 39 pages, 3 figures, v2 references and clarifications added

We revisit the double copy description for linearized gravity and point out various technical issues and subtleties, associated with setting up the double copy description, including the problem of matching degrees of freedom on both sides of the double copy dictionary and the related issue of the constraint between graviton and dilaton sources. We introduce and discuss possible resolutions of these issues., Comment: 14 pages, proceedings Corfu Summer Institute 2017; v2: references updated

In this note, we model the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of a four dimensional extremal black hole in terms of classifying particles moving in its near horizon AdS_2 geometry. We use the framework of SLE curves in AdS_2 to classify these particle trajectories in terms of their boundary conditions. These turn out to be related to singular vectors in two-dimensional conformal quantum gravity theory in AdS_2 and the dynamics of these particles are governed by the Hamiltonians of the integrable Calogero-like models, for these boundary conditions. We use this classification to count the leading order Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of the black hole and arrive at a first principle microscopic computation of black hole degeneracy., Comment: 31 pages, 3 figures

In this note, we model the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of a four dimensional extremal black hole in terms of classifying particles moving in its near horizon AdS_2 geometry. We use the framework of SLE curves in AdS_2 to classify these particle trajectories in terms of their boundary conditions. These turn out to be related to singular vectors in two-dimensional conformal quantum gravity theory in AdS_2 and the dynamics of these particles are governed by the Hamiltonians of the integrable Calogero-like models, for these boundary conditions. We use this classification to count the leading order Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of the black hole and arrive at a first principle microscopic computation of black hole degeneracy., Comment: 31 pages, 3 figures

We construct the on-shell double copy for linearised four-dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ supergravity coupled to one vector multiplet with a quadratic prepotential. We apply this dictionary to the weak-field approximation of dyonic BPS black holes in this theory., Comment: 27 pages

We present the on-shell double copy dictionary for linearised ${\mathcal N}=2$ supergravity coupled to an arbitrary number of vector multiplets in four dimensions. Subsequently, we use it to construct a double copy description of multi-centered BPS black hole solutions in these theories in the weak-field approximation., Comment: 22 pages, comments added, replaced to match published version

We present the on-shell double copy dictionary for linearised ${\mathcal N}=2$ supergravity coupled to an arbitrary number of vector multiplets in four dimensions. Subsequently, we use it to construct a double copy description of multi-centered BPS black hole solutions in these theories in the weak-field approximation., Comment: 22 pages, comments added, replaced to match published version

We construct the on-shell double copy for linearised four-dimensional ${\cal N}=2$ supergravity coupled to one vector multiplet with a quadratic prepotential. We apply this dictionary to the weak-field approximation of dyonic BPS black holes in this theory., Comment: 27 pages

We extract the leading-order entropy of a four-dimensional extremal black hole in N=2N=2 ungauged supergravity by formulating the CFT1 that is holographically dual to its near-horizon AdS2 geometry, in terms of a rational Calogero model with a known counting formula for the degeneracy of states in its Hilbert space.

Non-extremal black holes in $\mathcal{N}=2$ supergravity have two horizons, the geometric mean of whose areas recovers the horizon area of the extremal black hole obtained from taking a smooth zero temperature limit. In prior work (arxiv:1410.3478), using the attractor mechanism, we deduced the existence of several moduli independent invariant quantities obtained from averaging over a decoupled inter-horizon region. We establish that non-extremal geometries at the Reissner--Nordstr\"om point, where the scalar moduli are held fixed, can be lifted to solutions in supergravity with a near-horizon AdS$_3\times$S$^2$. These solutions have the same entropy and temperature as the original black hole and therefore allow an interpretation of the underlying gravitational degrees of freedom in terms of CFT$_2$. Symmetries of the moduli space enable us to explicate the origin of entropy in the extremal limit., Comment: References added

We extract the leading-order entropy of a four-dimensional extremal black hole in ${\cal N}{=}2$ ungauged supergravity by formulating the CFT$_1$ that is holographically dual to its near-horizon AdS$_2$ geometry, in terms of a rational Calogero model with a known counting formula for the degeneracy of states in its Hilbert space., Comment: 8 pages

Non-extremal black holes in $\mathcal{N}=2$ supergravity have two horizons, the geometric mean of whose areas recovers the horizon area of the extremal black hole obtained from taking a smooth zero temperature limit. In prior work (arxiv:1410.3478), using the attractor mechanism, we deduced the existence of several moduli independent invariant quantities obtained from averaging over a decoupled inter-horizon region. We establish that non-extremal geometries at the Reissner--Nordstr\"om point, where the scalar moduli are held fixed, can be lifted to solutions in supergravity with a near-horizon AdS$_3\times$S$^2$. These solutions have the same entropy and temperature as the original black hole and therefore allow an interpretation of the underlying gravitational degrees of freedom in terms of CFT$_2$. Symmetries of the moduli space enable us to explicate the origin of entropy in the extremal limit., Comment: References added

We extract the leading-order entropy of a four-dimensional extremal black hole in ${\cal N}{=}2$ ungauged supergravity by formulating the CFT$_1$ that is holographically dual to its near-horizon AdS$_2$ geometry, in terms of a rational Calogero model with a known counting formula for the degeneracy of states in its Hilbert space., Comment: 8 pages

The product of the areas of the event horizon and the Cauchy horizon of a non-extremal black hole equals the square of the area of the horizon of the black hole obtained from taking the smooth extremal limit. We establish this result for a large class of black holes using the second order equations of motion, black hole thermodynamics, and the attractor mechanism for extremal black holes. This happens even though the area of each horizon generically depends on the moduli, which are asymptotic values of scalar fields. The conformal field theory dual to the BTZ black hole facilitates a microscopic interpretation of the result. In addition, we demonstrate that certain quantities which vanish in the extremal case are zero when integrated over the region between the two horizons. We corroborate these conclusions through an analysis of known solutions., Comment: 28 pages, 4 figures, LaTeX; v.2: references added, coffee stains removed; v.3: footnote added, minor typos corrected

In this note, we explore the solution space of non-extremal black objects in $4D$ and $5D$ ${\cal N}=2$ gauged supergravity in the presence of fluxes. We present first order rewritings of the $4D$ action for a classes of non-extremal dyonic and electric solutions with electric flux backgrounds. Additionally, we obtain the non-extremal version of the Nernst brane in $AdS_5$ using a simple deformation. Finally, we develop a new technique to deform extremal black solutions in $4D$ to non-extremal solutions by an analysis of the symmetries of the equations of motion., Comment: Minor typographic corrections

In this note, we employ indefinite theta functions to regularize canonical partition functions for single-center dyonic BPS black holes. These partition functions count dyonic degeneracies in the Hilbert space of four-dimensional toroidally compactified heterotic string theory, graded by electric and magnetic charges. The regularization is achieved by viewing the weighted sums of degeneracies as sums over charge excitations in the near-horizon attractor geometry of an arbitrarily chosen black hole background, and eliminating the unstable modes. This enables us to rewrite these sums in terms of indefinite theta functions. Background independence is then implemented by using the transformation property of indefinite theta functions under elliptic transformations, while modular transformations are used to make contact with semi-classical results in supergravity., Comment: 24 pages, LaTex

Using the attractor mechanism for extremal solutions in ${\cal N}=2$ gauged supergravity, we construct a $c$-function that interpolates between the central charges of theories at ultraviolet and infrared conformal fixed points corresponding to anti-de Sitter geometries. The $c$-function we obtain is couched purely in terms of bulk quantities and connects two different dimensional CFTs at the stable conformal fixed points under the RG flow., Comment: 13 pages, revised references and typographic modifications

The product of the areas of the event horizon and the Cauchy horizon of a non-extremal black hole equals the square of the area of the horizon of the black hole obtained from taking the smooth extremal limit. We establish this result for a large class of black holes using the second order equations of motion, black hole thermodynamics, and the attractor mechanism for extremal black holes. This happens even though the area of each horizon generically depends on the moduli, which are asymptotic values of scalar fields. The conformal field theory dual to the BTZ black hole facilitates a microscopic interpretation of the result. In addition, we demonstrate that certain quantities which vanish in the extremal case are zero when integrated over the region between the two horizons. We corroborate these conclusions through an analysis of known solutions., Comment: 28 pages, 4 figures, LaTeX; v.2: references added, coffee stains removed; v.3: footnote added, minor typos corrected

Using the attractor mechanism for extremal solutions in ${\cal N}=2$ gauged supergravity, we construct a $c$-function that interpolates between the central charges of theories at ultraviolet and infrared conformal fixed points corresponding to anti-de Sitter geometries. The $c$-function we obtain is couched purely in terms of bulk quantities and connects two different dimensional CFTs at the stable conformal fixed points under the RG flow., Comment: 13 pages, revised references and typographic modifications

In this note, we employ indefinite theta functions to regularize canonical partition functions for single-center dyonic BPS black holes. These partition functions count dyonic degeneracies in the Hilbert space of four-dimensional toroidally compactified heterotic string theory, graded by electric and magnetic charges. The regularization is achieved by viewing the weighted sums of degeneracies as sums over charge excitations in the near-horizon attractor geometry of an arbitrarily chosen black hole background, and eliminating the unstable modes. This enables us to rewrite these sums in terms of indefinite theta functions. Background independence is then implemented by using the transformation property of indefinite theta functions under elliptic transformations, while modular transformations are used to make contact with semi-classical results in supergravity., Comment: 24 pages, LaTex

In this note, we explore the solution space of non-extremal black objects in $4D$ and $5D$ ${\cal N}=2$ gauged supergravity in the presence of fluxes. We present first order rewritings of the $4D$ action for a classes of non-extremal dyonic and electric solutions with electric flux backgrounds. Additionally, we obtain the non-extremal version of the Nernst brane in $AdS_5$ using a simple deformation. Finally, we develop a new technique to deform extremal black solutions in $4D$ to non-extremal solutions by an analysis of the symmetries of the equations of motion., Comment: Minor typographic corrections

We explore various aspects of supersymmetric black hole partition functions in four-dimensional toroidally compactified heterotic string theory. These functions suffer from divergences owing to the hyperbolic nature of the charge lattice in this theory, which prevents them from having well-defined modular transformation properties. In order to rectify this, we regularize these functions by converting the divergent series into indefinite theta functions, thereby obtaining fully regulated single-centered black hole partitions functions., Comment: 35 pages; v2: various comments added; v3: a few typos corrected

We analyze zero mode counting problems for Dirac operators that find their origin in string theory backgrounds. A first class of quantum mechanical models for which we compute the number of ground states arises from a string winding an isometric direction in a geometry, taking into account its energy due to tension. Alternatively, the models arise from deforming marginal bound states of a string winding a circle, and moving in an orthogonal geometry. After deformation, the number of bound states is again counted by the zero modes of a Dirac operator. We count these bound states in even dimensional asymptotically linear dilaton backgrounds as well as in Euclidean Taub-NUT. We show multiple pole behavior in the fugacities keeping track of a U(1) charge. We also discuss a second class of counting problems that arises when these backgrounds are deformed via the application of a heterotic duality transformation. We discuss applications of our results to Appell-Lerch sums and the counting of domain wall bound states., Comment: 38 pages

We explore various aspects of supersymmetric black hole partition functions in four-dimensional toroidally compactified heterotic string theory. These functions suffer from divergences owing to the hyperbolic nature of the charge lattice in this theory, which prevents them from having well-defined modular transformation properties. In order to rectify this, we regularize these functions by converting the divergent series into indefinite theta functions, thereby obtaining fully regulated single-centered black hole partitions functions., Comment: 35 pages; v2: various comments added; v3: a few typos corrected

We analyze zero mode counting problems for Dirac operators that find their origin in string theory backgrounds. A first class of quantum mechanical models for which we compute the number of ground states arises from a string winding an isometric direction in a geometry, taking into account its energy due to tension. Alternatively, the models arise from deforming marginal bound states of a string winding a circle, and moving in an orthogonal geometry. After deformation, the number of bound states is again counted by the zero modes of a Dirac operator. We count these bound states in even dimensional asymptotically linear dilaton backgrounds as well as in Euclidean Taub-NUT. We show multiple pole behavior in the fugacities keeping track of a U(1) charge. We also discuss a second class of counting problems that arises when these backgrounds are deformed via the application of a heterotic duality transformation. We discuss applications of our results to Appell-Lerch sums and the counting of domain wall bound states., Comment: 38 pages

We study stationary black brane solutions in the context of N = 2, U(1) gauged supergravity in five dimensions. Using the formalism of first-order flow equations, we construct examples of extremal black brane solutions that include Nernst branes, i.e. extremal black brane solutions with vanishing entropy density, as well as black branes with cylindrical horizon topology, whose entropy density can be computed from a Cardy formula of the dual CFT., Comment: 37 pages, 5 figures, v2: Added references and derivation of the first-order flow equations from a superpotential, version which appeared in JHEP

In these notes we describe recent progress in understanding finite size corrections to the black hole entropy. Much of the earlier work concerning quantum black holes has been in the limit of large charges when the area of the even horizon is also large. In recent years there has been substantial progress in understanding the entropy of supersymmetric black holes within string theory going well beyond the large charge limit. It has now become possible to begin exploring finite size effects in perturbation theory in inverse size and even nonperturbatively, with highly nontrivial agreements between thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Unlike the leading Bekenstein-Hawking entropy which follows from the two-derivative Einstein-Hilbert action, these finite size corrections depend sensitively on the phase under consideration and contain a wealth of information about the details of compactification as well as the spectrum of nonperturbative states in the theory. Finite-size corrections are therefore very interesting as a valuable window into the microscopic degrees of freedom of the quantum theory., Comment: 79 pages, based on lectures given at the summer school 'Strings and Fundamental. Physics 2010' in Munich

We study stationary black brane solutions in the context of N = 2, U(1) gauged supergravity in five dimensions. Using the formalism of first-order flow equations, we construct examples of extremal black brane solutions that include Nernst branes, i.e. extremal black brane solutions with vanishing entropy density, as well as black branes with cylindrical horizon topology, whose entropy density can be computed from a Cardy formula of the dual CFT., Comment: 37 pages, 5 figures, v2: Added references and derivation of the first-order flow equations from a superpotential, version which appeared in JHEP

In these notes we describe recent progress in understanding finite size corrections to the black hole entropy. Much of the earlier work concerning quantum black holes has been in the limit of large charges when the area of the even horizon is also large. In recent years there has been substantial progress in understanding the entropy of supersymmetric black holes within string theory going well beyond the large charge limit. It has now become possible to begin exploring finite size effects in perturbation theory in inverse size and even nonperturbatively, with highly nontrivial agreements between thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Unlike the leading Bekenstein-Hawking entropy which follows from the two-derivative Einstein-Hilbert action, these finite size corrections depend sensitively on the phase under consideration and contain a wealth of information about the details of compactification as well as the spectrum of nonperturbative states in the theory. Finite-size corrections are therefore very interesting as a valuable window into the microscopic degrees of freedom of the quantum theory., Comment: 79 pages, based on lectures given at the summer school 'Strings and Fundamental. Physics 2010' in Munich

We study static black brane solutions in the context of N = 2 U(1) gauged supergravity in four dimensions. Using the formalism of first-order flow equations, we construct novel extremal black brane solutions including examples of Nernst branes, i.e. extremal black brane solutions with vanishing entropy density. We also discuss a class of non-extremal generalizations which is captured by the first-order formalism., Comment: 44 pages, 3 figures, v2: added appendix B and references, minor typographic changes, v3: added some clarifying remarks, version published in JHEP

We study static black brane solutions in the context of N = 2 U(1) gauged supergravity in four dimensions. Using the formalism of first-order flow equations, we construct novel extremal black brane solutions including examples of Nernst branes, i.e. extremal black brane solutions with vanishing entropy density. We also discuss a class of non-extremal generalizations which is captured by the first-order formalism., Comment: 44 pages, 3 figures, v2: added appendix B and references, minor typographic changes, v3: added some clarifying remarks, version published in JHEP

In this note, we use the first order formalism for attractor flows in N=2 SUGRA extremal black hole backgrounds to establish a formal correspondence between the RG flow of moduli in the underlying N=(2,2) SCFT and bulk attractor flows. Starting from a study of moduli flow trajectories in the CFT, we derive a potential which generates the aforesaid flow. This potential is shown to be a symplectic invariant with the same form as the black hole potential which drives the attractor flows in the bulk. We use these results to make comments on the non-renormalization of extremal black hole entropy and indicate a similar correspondence for two-centered forked flows in CFT., Comment: 28 pages, 3 figures, References added and clarifications

In this note, we use the first order formalism for attractor flows in N=2 SUGRA extremal black hole backgrounds to establish a formal correspondence between the RG flow of moduli in the underlying N=(2,2) SCFT and bulk attractor flows. Starting from a study of moduli flow trajectories in the CFT, we derive a potential which generates the aforesaid flow. This potential is shown to be a symplectic invariant with the same form as the black hole potential which drives the attractor flows in the bulk. We use these results to make comments on the non-renormalization of extremal black hole entropy and indicate a similar correspondence for two-centered forked flows in CFT., Comment: 28 pages, 3 figures, References added and clarifications

The Kerr/CFT correspondence employs the Cardy formula to compute the entropy of the left moving CFT states. This computation, which correctly reproduces the Bekenstein--Hawking entropy of the four-dimensional extremal Kerr black hole, is performed in a regime where the temperature is of order unity rather than in a high-temperature regime. We show that the comparison of the entropy of the extreme Kerr black hole and the entropy in the CFT can be understood within the Cardy regime by considering a D0-D6 system with the same entropic properties., Comment: 20 pages; LaTeX; JHEP format; v.2 references added, v.3 Section 4 added

We explain why multi-centered black hole configurations where at least one of the centers is a large black hole do not contribute to the indexed degeneracies in theories with N=4 supersymmetry. This is a consequence of the fact that such configurations, although supersymmetric, belong to long supermultiplets. As a result, there is no entropy enigma in N=4 theories, unlike in N=2 theories., Comment: 14 pages

We consider the N=4 SYM theory in flat 3+1 dimensional spacetime with a time dependent coupling constant which vanishes at $t=0$, like $g_{YM}^2=t^p$. In an analogous quantum mechanics toy model we find that the response is singular. The energy diverges at $t=0$, for a generic state. In addition, if $p>1$ the phase of the wave function has a wildly oscillating behavior, which does not allow it to be continued past $t=0$. A similar effect would make the gauge theory singular as well, though nontrivial effects of renormalization could tame this singularity and allow a smooth continuation beyond $t=0$. The gravity dual in some cases is known to be a time dependent cosmology which exhibits a space-like singularity at $t=0$. Our results, if applicable in the gauge theory for the case of the vanishing coupling, imply that the singularity is a genuine sickness and does not admit a meaningful continuation. When the coupling remains non-zero and becomes small at $t=0$, the curvature in the bulk becomes of order the string scale. The gauge theory now admits a time evolution beyond this point. In this case, a finite amount of energy is produced which possibly thermalizes and leads to a black hole in the bulk., Comment: 45 pages, 1 figure; v2. minor modifications; v3: PRD version, conclusions in the field theory case significantly revised to include possible renormalization effects, quantum mechanics toy model unchanged, abstract and introduction revised, additional subsection 4.1 added

A quarter-BPS dyon in $\mathcal{N}=4$ super Yang-Mills theory is generically `decadent' in that it is stable only in some regions of the moduli space and decays on submanifolds in the moduli space. Using this fact, and from the degeneracy of the system close to the decay, a new derivation for the degeneracy of such dyons is given. The degeneracy obtained from these very simple physical considerations is in precise agreement with the results obtained from index computations in all known cases. Similar considerations apply to dyons in $\mathcal{N}=2$ gauge theories. The relation between the $\mathcal{N} =4 $ field theory dyons and those counted by the Igusa cusp form in toroidally compactified heterotic string is elucidated., Comment: Some typos corrected and references added

We generalise the computations of arXiv:0712.2456 to generate long wavelength, asymptotically locally AdS_5 solutions to the Einstein-dilaton system with a slowly varying boundary dilaton field and a weakly curved boundary metric. Upon demanding regularity, our solutions are dual, under the AdS/CFT correspondence, to arbitrary fluid flows in the boundary theory formulated on a weakly curved manifold with a prescribed slowly varying coupling constant. These solutions turn out to be parametrised by four-velocity and temperature fields that are constrained to obey the boundary covariant Navier Stokes equations with a dilaton dependent forcing term. We explicitly evaluate the stress tensor and Lagrangian as a function of the velocity, temperature, coupling constant and curvature fields, to second order in the derivative expansion and demonstrate the Weyl covariance of these expressions. We also construct the event horizon of the dual solutions to second order in the derivative expansion, and use the area form on this event horizon to construct an entropy current for the dual fluid. As a check of our constructions we expand the exactly known solutions for rotating black holes in global AdS_5 in a boundary derivative expansion and find perfect agreement with all our results upto second order. We also find other simple solutions of the forced fluid mechanics equations and discuss their bulk interpretation. Our results may aid in determining a bulk dual to forced flows exhibiting steady state turbulence., Comment: 51 Pages, JHEP format.v2 : References added. v3 : Corrected typos. v4 : Footnotes 12 and 13 added to answer queries by the referee