Holographic correlation functions at finite density and/or finite temperature

Abstract

We calculate holographically one and two-point functions of scalar operators at finite density and/or finite temperature. In the case of finite density and zero temperature we argue that only scalar operators can have non-zero VEVs. In the case in which both the chemical potential and the temperature are finite, we present a systematic expansion of the two-point correlators in powers of the temperature T and the chemical potential $\Omega$. The holographic result is in agreement with the general form of the OPE which dictates that the two-point function may be written as a linear combination of the Gegenbauer polynomials $C_J^{(1)}(\xi)$ but with the coefficients depending now on both the temperature and the chemical potential, as well as on the CFT data. The leading terms in this expansion originate from the expectation values of the scalar operator $\phi^2$, the R-current ${\cal J}^\mu_{\phi_3}$ and the energy-momentum tensor $T^{\mu\nu}$. By employing the Ward identity for the R-current and by comparing the appropriate term of the holographic result for the two-point correlator to the corresponding term in the OPE, we derive the value of the R-charge density of the background. Compelling agreement with the analysis of the thermodynamics of the black hole is found. Finally, we determine the behaviour of the two-point correlators, in the case of finite temperature, and in the limit of large temporal or spatial distance of the operators.