Flowing from relativistic to non-relativistic string vacua in AdS$_5 \times$S$^5$

Abstract

We find the connection between relativistic and non-relativistic string vacua in AdS$_5 \times$S$^5$ in terms of a free parameter $c$ flow. First, we show that the famous relativistic BMN vacuum flows in the large $c$ parameter to an unphysical solution of the non-relativistic theory. Then, we consider the simplest non-relativistic vacuum, found in arXiv:2109.13240 (called BMN-like), and we identify its relativistic origin, namely a non-compact version of the folded string with zero spin, ignored in the past due to its infinite energy. We show that, once the critical closed B-field required by the non-relativistic limit is included, the total energy of such relativistic solution is finite, and in the large $c$ parameter it precisely matches the one of the BMN-like string. We also analyse the case with spin in the transverse AdS directions.