"Light-ray operators and the w(1+infinity) algebra" by Elizabeth Himwich, Princeton University
2025-12-08 | BSP 727 https://plan.epfl.ch/?room==BSP%20727 https://epfl.zoom.us/j/69362612859
In four-dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes, an infinite tower of soft graviton modes generates the symmetry algebra of w(1+infinity) at tree level. This algebra is a universal feature of tree-level gravitational scattering with minimally-coupled gravitational interactions. In the first part of the talk, I will review this construction and identify an explicit form of the w(1+infinity) symmetry generators involving integrals of the stress tensor along null infinity. In the second part, I will discuss an independent derivation of the w(1+infinity) algebra in the light-ray operator algebra of generic 4D conformal field theories. This talk is based on work in progress with Monica Pate.
