ICTS

The second edition of the program "Nonperturbative and Numerical Approaches to Quantum Gravity, String Theory, and Holography" aims to bring together theorists working in the areas of lattice field theory, string theory, and quantum gravity to discuss the state of the art nonperturbative methods and numerical approaches to tackle current and relevant problems in string theory and holography.

The program via its strong pedagogical component aims also to build and grow a community of theorists in India who would contribute to work connecting nonperturbative field theories, string theory, supersymmetric/superconformal field theories, quantum black holes, gravity, and holography.

The content of this program can be broadly divided into four topics:

Lattice Supersymmetric Field Theories: Recent developments in realizing N=4 supersymmetry on the lattice (including ideas on regulating flat directions, static quark potential, anomalous dimension of Konishi operator), N=1 supersymmetry on the lattice (including fine-tuning of gluino mass, benchmark studies of confinement, gluino condensates, and gluino-glueball spectrum).

Matrix Models, Quantum Black Holes and Gravity: Recent developments in matrix model holography of type II string theories/M-theory/supergravity, precision gauge-gravity duality for quantum black holes via D0 brane quantum mechanics, matrix models via large-N reductions.

Conformal Bootstrap: Numerical approaches to conformal bootstrap, 2d chiral algebra-based bootstrap of protected correlators in N=2 4d SCFTs, novel approaches using 2d chiral algebra and results in anomalous dimensions in superconformal field theories, bootstrap for short (BPS) and long multiplet superconformal primaries.

Formal Developments on the Lattice: New approaches to solve sign problem - fermion bag approach, Lefschetz thimbles approach and its numerical implementation, Resurgence and Trans-series in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory.

We will have a series of pedagogical lectures on each of the following topics:

1. Introduction to Lattice Field Theory by Anna Hasenfratz (University of Colorado - Boulder, USA)
2. Lattice Supersymmetric Field Theories by David Schaich (University of Liverpool, UK)
3. Resurgence and Trans-series in Quantum Field Theories by Mithat Unsal (North Carolina State University, USA)
4. Bootstrap Approach to QCD by Martin Kruczenski (Purdue University, USA)
5. Holographic Cosmology by Kostas Skenderis  (University of Southampton, UK)
6. Matrix Models, Gauge-Gravity Duality, and Simulations on the Lattice by Georg Bergner (University of Jena, Germany)
7. Introduction to Holography by David Berenstein (UCSB, USA)
8. ​An Introduction to Tensor Renormalization Group by Daisuke Kadoh (Doshisha University, Japan)

In addition to these, we will have a series of research talks on recent developments in the above-mentioned areas.

Eligibility Criteria: We strongly encourage students and postdocs to apply. Limited travel support is available for selected domestic participants. There is no registration fee. Free accommodation will be provided by ICTS for non-local participants who will be selected for the program.

Early Application Deadline: July 14, 2022. We request the potential participants, especially foreign nationals, to apply on or before the early application deadline, July 14, 2022. Applicants who submit completed applications by the early application deadline will be given full consideration. Applications received or completed after the early application deadline and on or before the application deadline (July 31, 2022) will be reviewed on a space-available basis.

ICTS is committed to building an environment that is inclusive, non-discriminatory and welcoming of diverse individuals. We especially encourage the participation of women and other under-represented groups.