Holographic $a$-functions and Boomerang RG Flows

Abstract

We use the radial null energy condition to construct a monotonic $a$-function for a certain type of non-relativistic holographic RG flows. We test our $a$-function in three different geometries that feature a Boomerang RG flow, characterized by a domain wall between two AdS spaces with the same AdS radius, but with different (and sometimes directions dependent) speeds of light. We find that the $a$-function monotonically decreases and goes to a constant in the asymptotic regimes of the geometry. Using the holographic dictionary in this asymptotic AdS spaces, we find that the $a$-function not only reads the fixed point central charge but also the speed of light, suggesting what the correct RG charge might be for non-relativistic RG flows.