Higher-form (Quasi)Hydrodynamics from Holography: Deformations and Dualities

Abstract

We study the low-energy dynamics of systems with exact and approximate higher-form symmetries using Gauge-gravity duality. These symmetries are realised holographically via generalised Maxwell/Proca theories for massless/massive $p$-forms in AlAdS spacetimes. Double-trace deformations of the boundary theory are considered via appropriate boundary conditions. We compute thermal correlation functions in isotropic black brane backgrounds to characterise the near equilibrium regimes of the dual boundary theories. In the vanishing-mass limit, the theory exhibits a hydrodynamic regime for weak double-trace deformations (relative to a scale set by the temperature) and a quasihydrodynamic regime for strong deformations. Turning on the bulk mass gives rise instead to a triad of quasihydrodynamic regimes controlled by both the mass and the double-trace coupling. In general, we find the low-energy spectra to be constrained by pole collisions, emergent symmetries and duality relations, the latter originating in part from Hodge-type dualities in the bulk. For nonzero mass, there is an additional strong/weak duality of the double-trace couplings. We further show, in the low-density limit of background charge, that relevant deformations are necessary for stable diffusion of sufficiently high-dimensional charged objects.