Three-point functions in AdS3/CFT2 holography

Abstract

Recently, string theory on AdS3× S3× 𝕋4 with one unit of NS-NS flux (k = 1) was argued to be exactly dual to the symmetric orbifold of 𝕋 4, and in particular, the full (unprotected) spectrum was matched between the two descriptions. This duality was later extended to the case with higher NS-NS background flux for which the long string sector was argued to be described by the symmetric product orbifold of (N = 4 Liouville) × 𝕋 4. In this paper we study correlation functions for the bosonic analogue of this duality, relating bosonic string theory on AdS3× X to the symmetric orbifold of Liouville × X. More specifically, we show that the low-lying null vectors of Liouville theory correspond to BRST exact states from the worldsheet perspective, and we demonstrate that they give rise to the expected BPZ differential equations for the dual CFT correlators. Since the structure constants of Liouville theory are uniquely fixed by these constraints, this shows that the seed theory of the dual CFT contains indeed the Liouville factor.