Triangle Seminars

Abstract:
Characterizing how we explore abstract spaces is key to understand our (ir)rational behavior and decision making. While some light has been shed on the navigation of semantic networks, however, little is known about the mental exploration of metric spaces, such as the one dimensional line of numbers, prices, etc. Here we address this issue by investigating the behavior of users exploring the “bid space” in online auctions. We find that they systematically perform Lévy flights, i.e., random walks whose step lengths follow a power-law distribution. Interestingly, this is the best strategy that can be adopted by a random searcher looking for a target in an unknown environment, and has been observed in the foraging patterns of many species. In the case of online auctions, we measure the power-law scaling over several decades, providing the neatest observation of Lévy flights reported so far. We also show that the histogram describing single individual exponents is well peaked, pointing out the existence of an almost universal behaviour. Furthermore, a simple model reveals that the observed exponents are nearly optimal, and represent a Nash equilibrium. We rationalize these findings through a simple evolutionary process, showing that the observed behavior is robust against invasion of alternative strategies. Our results show that humans share with the other animals universal patterns in general searching processes, and raise fundamental issues in cognitive, behavioural and evolutionary sciences.

Abstract:
We study half-BPS Wilson loops in D = 3 N =4 gauge theories using matrix models obtained from localization techniques. The infrared CFTs of the N=4 theories are subject to 3-dimensional mirror symmetry, which exchanges the Higgs and Coulomb branches of vacua of dual theories. Recently progress have been made in understanding the mapping of BPS Wilson loops under mirror symmetry in abelian theories. Our aim is to understand the operators dual to half-BPS Wilson loops in non-abelian theories. We propose a matrix model for the mirror loops by implementing mirror symmetry directly in the matrix model and we verify the mapping of loop operators by computing explicitly the Wilson loops and mirror loops in non-abelian linear quiver theories. We discuss the possible gauge theory operators that would lead to the matrix model we found. Our results are nicely related to the brane realization of linear quivers in IIB string theory.

Abstract:
In this talk, we focus on strongly-coupled, translation-invariant holographic phases at finite density. We show that they can be classified according to the scaling behavior of the metric, the electric potential and the electric flux, introducing to new scaling exponents (cohesion and conduction). Solutions fall into two classes, depending on whether they break relativistic symmetry or not. We show that the dimensions of IR operators are governed by the new scaling exponents, as well as the low-frequency scaling of the optical conductivity. We show that thermodynamically stable phases are always gapless. Finally, we examine a refinement of the holographic entanglement entropy sensitive to the IR behaviour of the electric flux, and show that the minimal surface thus obtained can be different from the Ryu-Takayanagi proposal depending on the cohesion exponent.