Physics Colloquium with Avia Raviv-Moshe on The Dynamics on Line Defects: Renormalization Group Flows and Applications

Line defects describe one-dimensional probes in quantum field theory. In this talk, we will focus on line defects in conformal field theories, a framework relevant for describing various physical systems with applications ranging from condensed matter physics to high-energy physics. I will begin by reviewing some general properties of such systems, particularly in the context of renormalization group flows, where recent progress has been achieved. Next, I will discuss applications, including impurities in quantum critical systems and Wilson lines in conformal gauge theories. We will see that similar methods can be employed to study the physics across this diverse range of applications. Last, I will highlight recent advancements in the understanding of defects in non-relativistic (Schrodinger) conformal systems. 
 

This lecture was made possible by the William C. Ferguson Fund.