Quantum Corrections to Classical Backgrounds - Studies of Non-relativistic Decoupling Limits of N=6 Chern-Simons Theory and of Quantum Field Theory on Black Hole Geometries

PhD defence by Evelyn-Andreea Ester

Assessment Committee

Professor Charlotte Kristjansen, Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Associate Professor Marta Orselli, Perugia University
Professor Valentina Giangreco Puletti, University of Iceland

Supervisors

Associate Professor Troels Harmark
Associate Professor Maarten Van De Meent

Department

Niels Bohr Institute

Place

Building: A, Room: Hb-1, Niels Bohr Institute, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100, Copenhagen

Email address to gain access to the thesis: evelyn-andreea-ester@nbi.ku.dk.
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Short description of the thesis

This thesis investigates how effective semiclassical descriptions emerge from quantum theories through two complementary research directions. The first explores non-relativistic decoupling limits of $\mathcal{N}=6$ Chern-Simons theory (ABJM), using Spin Matrix Theory to identify and classify near-BPS sectors that simplify the study of quantum dynamics beyond the planar limit. These sectors provide a framework for investigating the connection between quantum field theories and their gravitational descriptions through the AdS/CFT correspondence. The second examines QFT in curved spacetime, employing heat kernel methods to derive quantum corrections to the Einstein-Maxwell action. These corrections are used to construct semiclassical black hole solutions and investigate their electromagnetic and gravitational perturbations. Together, these studies provide important insights into the interplay between quantum dynamics, semiclassical physics, and gravity.