On the spectra of holographic QFTs on constant curvature manifolds

Abstract

We analyze linear fluctuations of five-dimensional Einstein-Dilaton theories dual to holographic quantum field theories defined on four-dimensional de Sitter and Anti-de Sitter space-times. We identify the physical propagating scalar and tensor degrees of freedom. For these, we write the linearized bulk field equations as eigenvalue equations. In the dual QFT, the eigenstates correspond to towers of spin-0 and spin-2 particles propagating on $(A)dS_4$ associated to gauge-invariant composite states. Using particular care in treating special ``zero-modes,'' we show in general that, for negative curvature, the particle spectra are always discrete, whereas for positive curvature they always have a continuous component starting at $m^2 = (9/4)\alpha^{-2}$, where $\alpha$ is the $(A)dS_4$ radius. We numerically compute the spectra in a concrete model characterized by a polynomial dilaton bulk potential admitting holographic RG-flow solutions with a UV and IR fixed points. In this case, we find no discrete spectrum and no perturbative instabilities.