The AdS/CFT correspondence, which has originated in the rich structure of String Theory, has given rise to a conceptually new method of analysis of quantum physical systems, the holographic duality. In its broad formulation the holographic duality defines a correspondence between the various strongly coupled quantum theories and the theory of black holes in the auxiliary hyperbolic space-times with one or more extra spacial dimensions.
Employing this tool one can study the behavior of the quantum systems which would otherwise be virtually theoretically inaccessible. These include some of the most puzzling states of quantum matter: including quark-gluon plasma and neutron stars in High Energy Physics, as well as high-temperature superconductors and strange metals in Condensed Matter Physics.
The phenomenological models, which are constructed using the holographic duality are classical gravitational setups and they provide a novel application to the mighty machinery of General Relativity. Having these models at hand one can theoretically compute various observables in corresponding quantum system and therefore study its phenomenology. This can in turn be directly compared to the available Experimental Data, which makes holographic duality the most applied branch of the String Theory.
The quantum systems described by their holographic duals compose a conceptually novel class of physical setups, which put the general frameworks of Hydrodynamics, the effective theory of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking and the theory of Quantum Information to test. Holographic duality provides in this way a complementary point of view on these well established physical concepts.
In the High-Energy Physics group at Nordita we develop various holographic models and draw the lessons for the phenomenology of the unconventional states of Quantum Matter, as well as for the general concepts of the effective field theories.
