The SAGEX review on scattering amplitudes chapter 11: soft theorems and celestial amplitudes

Abstract

The soft limits of scattering amplitudes have been extensively studied due to their essential role in the computation of physical observables in collider physics. The universal factorisation that occurs in these kinematic limits has been shown to be related to conservation laws associated with asymptotic, or large, gauge symmetries. This connection has led to a deeper understanding of the symmetries of gauge and gravitational theories and to a reformulation of scattering amplitudes in a basis of boost eigenstates which makes manifest the two-dimensional global conformal symmetry of the celestial sphere. The recast, or celestial, amplitudes possess many of the properties of conformal field theory (CFT) correlation functions which has suggested a path towards a holographic description of asymptotically flat spacetimes. In this review we consider these interconnected developments in our understanding of soft theorems, asymptotic symmetries and CFT with a focus on the structure and symmetries of the celestial amplitudes and their holographic interpretation.