Anomalies from correlation functions in defect conformal field theory

In previous work, we showed that an anomaly in the one point function of marginal operators is related by the Wess-Zumino condition to the Euler density anomaly on a two dimensional defect or boundary. Here we analyze in detail the two point functions of marginal operators with the stress tensor and with the displacement operator in three dimensions. We show how to get the boundary anomaly from these bulk two point functions and find perfect agreement with our anomaly effective action. For a higher dimensional conformal field theory with a four dimensional defect, we describe for the first time the anomaly effective action that relates the Euler density term to the one point function anomaly, generalizing our result for two dimensional defects.

Automated summary

This study delves into the two point functions of marginal operators with the stress tensor and displacement operator in three dimensions, revealing the boundary anomaly and confirming agreement with the anomaly effective action. It also presents the anomaly effective action linking the Euler density term to the one point function anomaly for a higher dimensional conformal field theory with a four dimensional defect, extending previous results for two dimensional defects.