The analytic bootstrap and AdS superhorizon locality

Abstract

We take an analytic approach to the CFT bootstrap, studying the 4-pt correlators of d > 2 dimensional CFTs in an Eikonal-type limit, where the conformal cross ratios satisfy |u| ≪ |υ| < 1. We prove that every CFT with a scalar operator ϕ must contain infinite sequences of operators O_(τ,ℓ) with twist approaching τ → 2Δ_ϕ + 2n for each integer n as ℓ → ∞. We show how the rate of approach is controlled by the twist and OPE coefficient of the leading twist operator in the ϕ × ϕ OPE, and we discuss SCFTs and the 3d Ising Model as examples. Additionally, we show that the OPE coefficients of other large spin operators appearing in the OPE are bounded as ℓ → ∞. We interpret these results as a statement about superhorizon locality in AdS for general CFTs.

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