Do null defects dream of conformal symmetry?
Abstract
We initiate the study of null line defects in Lorentzian conformal field theories in various dimensions. We show that null lines geometrically preserve a larger set of conformal isometries than their timelike and spacelike counterparts, explain a connection to non-relativistic systems, and constrain correlation functions using conformal Ward identities. We argue that having conformal symmetry, and especially maximal conformal symmetry, is extremely constraining -- nearly trivializing systems. We consider the (3+1)d scalar pinning field and null Wilson line examples in depth, compare their results to ultraboosted limits of timelike and spacelike systems, and argue that shockwave-type solutions are generic. A number of physical consistency conditions compel us to consider defect correlators as distributions on a restricted subspace of Schwartz test functions. Consequently, we provide a resolution to the longstanding problem of ultraboosted limits of gauge potentials in classical electromagnetism. We briefly analyze semi-infinite sources for the scalar in ()-dimensions, consider solutions on the Lorentzian cylinder, and introduce the ''perfect null polygon'' which emerges for compatibility between Gauss' law and ultraboosted limits.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2509.04578,
title = {Do null defects dream of conformal symmetry?},
author = {Rajeev S. Erramilli and Justin Kulp and Fedor K. Popov},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2509.04578},
year = {2025}
}
Comments
58 + 18 pages