Recognition: unknown
Holographic complexity of conformal fields in global de Sitter spacetime
Pith reviewed 2026-05-09 21:49 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
Holographic complexity for conformal fields on global de Sitter spacetime is computed using volume and action prescriptions in two AdS embeddings.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
In the first setup, AdS_{d+1} is foliated by global dS_d slices and the complexity of the boundary CFT is obtained from the bulk volume and action functionals. In the second setup, a global dS_d UV brane is placed in AdS_{d+1} and the same functionals yield the complexity of the CFT living on the brane. Explicit time-dependent expressions are derived in both cases and contrasted with literature results obtained in alternative coordinate patches.
What carries the argument
The volume prescription (maximal volume of a bulk slice) and action prescription (on-shell action in a Wheeler-DeWitt patch) applied to AdS geometries foliated by or containing global de Sitter slices.
If this is right
- The complexity grows with time in a manner that depends on whether the CFT is placed on the AdS boundary or on an embedded de Sitter brane.
- Global de Sitter patches produce complexity values distinct from those found in static or Poincaré patches, indicating sensitivity to the choice of foliation.
- The brane construction supplies an independent UV-regulated definition of complexity that can be compared directly to the boundary definition.
- These explicit expressions serve as reference points for any future holographic model that includes dynamical gravity or matter on de Sitter slices.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- If the global-coordinate results survive further checks, they suggest that holographic complexity can be defined consistently even when the boundary geometry has positive curvature, potentially extending the dictionary to more realistic cosmologies.
- Differences between the boundary and brane setups may correspond to different choices of time slicing or reference states, offering a way to test how complexity depends on the observer's frame in de Sitter space.
- The computations could be extended by adding bulk matter or considering the back-reaction of the brane tension to see whether the complexity formulas remain stable.
Load-bearing premise
The standard volume and action complexity prescriptions remain valid when applied to rigid global dS backgrounds and to the chosen AdS foliation or brane embeddings without additional dS-specific corrections.
What would settle it
A field-theory calculation of state complexity for a CFT on global de Sitter that produces a different time dependence or magnitude than the holographic expressions obtained here would falsify the results.
read the original abstract
We compute the holographic complexity of conformal quantum fields in rigid global de Sitter spacetime (dS$_{d}$) using the volume and action prescriptions. First we consider AdS$_{d+1}$ spacetime in global dS$_{d}$ foliations, and compute the complexity of the CFT supported on the global dS$_{d}$ conformal boundary. Next, we consider CFT supported on a global dS$_d$ (UV) brane embedded in AdS$_{d+1}$ spacetime, and compute the holographic complexity in this brane set up. We compare and contrast the results in the two cases, as well as with related results in the literature obtained in alternative holographic set ups involving patches of de Sitter spacetime covered by static coordinates or conformal (Poincar\'e) coordinates.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The paper computes the holographic complexity of conformal quantum fields in rigid global de Sitter spacetime (dS_d) using the volume (CV) and action (CA) prescriptions. It first considers AdS_{d+1} spacetime in global dS_d foliations to compute the complexity of the CFT supported on the global dS_d conformal boundary. Next, it examines the CFT supported on a global dS_d (UV) brane embedded in AdS_{d+1} spacetime and computes the holographic complexity in this brane setup. The results are compared and contrasted with each other as well as with related results in the literature obtained in alternative holographic setups involving patches of de Sitter spacetime covered by static coordinates or conformal (Poincaré) coordinates.
Significance. If the central claims hold, this work extends holographic complexity calculations to global de Sitter coordinates, filling a gap relative to the more commonly studied static and Poincaré patches and providing a more cosmologically relevant setting. The dual setups (boundary CFT and UV brane) enable useful comparisons. Credit is given for performing explicit computations in these foliations and for contrasting the outcomes across coordinate choices.
major comments (1)
- [Holographic setups and prescriptions] The load-bearing assumption that the standard CV and CA prescriptions (originally derived for asymptotically AdS spacetimes) can be applied without dS-specific corrections to the counterterms, extremal surfaces, or action boundary terms in global dS_d foliations of AdS_{d+1} requires explicit justification. The positive cosmological constant, cosmological horizons, and altered causal structure could introduce modifications that would affect the reported complexity values and their comparison to static/Poincaré results.
minor comments (2)
- [Abstract] The abstract states that computations were performed but would benefit from a brief mention of the key analytic or numerical methods, error estimates, or consistency checks against known limits (e.g., flat-space or small-dS-radius regimes) to aid quick assessment.
- Ensure that all notation for the foliation parameters, brane embeddings, and complexity functionals is defined consistently on first use, and consider adding a table summarizing the complexity expressions across the two setups and coordinate patches for clarity.
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the careful reading of our manuscript and for the constructive feedback. We address the major comment below.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: The load-bearing assumption that the standard CV and CA prescriptions (originally derived for asymptotically AdS spacetimes) can be applied without dS-specific corrections to the counterterms, extremal surfaces, or action boundary terms in global dS_d foliations of AdS_{d+1} requires explicit justification. The positive cosmological constant, cosmological horizons, and altered causal structure could introduce modifications that would affect the reported complexity values and their comparison to static/Poincaré results.
Authors: We appreciate the referee raising this point. Our setups employ AdS_{d+1} as the bulk geometry (with negative cosmological constant), using global dS_d foliations merely as a coordinate choice on the boundary or on the UV brane. The CV and CA prescriptions, including their counterterms and boundary terms, are defined and evaluated entirely in the asymptotically AdS bulk, whose causal structure is unaffected by the foliation. The positive cosmological constant, cosmological horizons, and associated features belong to the boundary CFT or the brane itself, not the bulk spacetime in which the extremal surfaces and Wheeler-DeWitt patches are constructed. Therefore, no dS-specific corrections are required, and the results remain directly comparable to those obtained in static or Poincaré patches of dS. We will add an explicit paragraph in the revised manuscript (likely in Section 2 or the introduction) justifying this application of the standard prescriptions and clarifying why the bulk AdS properties ensure no modifications are needed. revision: yes
Circularity Check
No circularity: direct computations using standard CV/CA prescriptions on dS foliations
full rationale
The paper applies the established volume (CV) and action (CA) holographic complexity prescriptions to AdS_{d+1} geometries with global dS_d foliations and UV brane embeddings. These are standard external prescriptions from prior AdS/CFT literature, not redefined or fitted within the paper. The derivations consist of explicit calculations of complexity for the CFT on the dS boundary and brane, followed by comparisons to other coordinate patches in the literature. No self-definitional steps, fitted inputs renamed as predictions, or load-bearing self-citations appear in the provided abstract or described chain. The central results are independent computations under the stated assumptions, making the derivation self-contained against external benchmarks.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
-
[1]
Suzuki, D
N. Suzuki, D. Rubin, C. Lidman, G. Aldering, R. Amanullah, K. Barbary et al.,The hubble space telescope cluster supernova survey. v. improving the dark-energy constraints above z gt; 1 and building an early-type-hosted supernova sample*,The Astrophysical Journal746 (2012) 85
2012
-
[2]
Chernikov and E.A
N.A. Chernikov and E.A. Tagirov,Quantum theory of scalar field in de Sitter space-time, Ann. Inst. H. Poincare Phys. Theor. A9(1968) 109
1968
-
[3]
Mottola,Particle Creation in de Sitter Space,Phys
E. Mottola,Particle Creation in de Sitter Space,Phys. Rev. D31(1985) 754
1985
-
[4]
Allen,Vacuum States in de Sitter Space,Phys
B. Allen,Vacuum States in de Sitter Space,Phys. Rev. D32(1985) 3136
1985
-
[5]
Schomblond and P
C. Schomblond and P. Spindel,Unicity Conditions of the Scalar Field Propagator Delta(1) (x,y) in de Sitter Universe,Ann. Inst. H. Poincare Phys. Theor.25(1976) 67
1976
-
[6]
Linde,Scalar Field Fluctuations in Expanding Universe and the New Inflationary Universe Scenario,Phys
A.D. Linde,Scalar Field Fluctuations in Expanding Universe and the New Inflationary Universe Scenario,Phys. Lett. B116(1982) 335
1982
-
[7]
Vilenkin and L.H
A. Vilenkin and L.H. Ford,Gravitational Effects upon Cosmological Phase Transitions,Phys. Rev. D26(1982) 1231
1982
-
[8]
Polarski,Infrared divergences in de Sitter space,Phys
D. Polarski,Infrared divergences in de Sitter space,Phys. Rev. D43(1991) 1892
1991
-
[9]
Ford,Quantum Instability of De Sitter Space-time,Phys
L.H. Ford,Quantum Instability of De Sitter Space-time,Phys. Rev. D31(1985) 710
1985
-
[10]
N.C. Tsamis and R.P. Woodard,Quantum gravity slows inflation,Nucl. Phys. B474(1996) 235 [hep-ph/9602315]
-
[11]
Equilibrium State of a Massless Self-Interacting Scalar Field in the De Sitter Background
A.A. Starobinsky and J. Yokoyama,Equilibrium state of a selfinteracting scalar field in the De Sitter background,Phys. Rev. D50(1994) 6357 [astro-ph/9407016]
work page Pith review arXiv 1994
-
[12]
C.P. Burgess, R. Holman, L. Leblond and S. Shandera,Breakdown of Semiclassical Methods in de Sitter Space,JCAP10(2010) 017 [1005.3551]. – 31 –
-
[13]
G. Moreau and J. Serreau,Stability of de Sitter spacetime against infrared quantum scalar field fluctuations,Phys. Rev. Lett.122(2019) 011302 [1808.00338]
-
[14]
A. Higuchi, D. Marolf and I.A. Morrison,de Sitter invariance of the dS graviton vacuum, Class. Quant. Grav.28(2011) 245012 [1107.2712]
-
[15]
R.P. Bernar, L.C.B. Crispino and A. Higuchi,Infrared-finite graviton two-point function in static de Sitter space,Phys. Rev. D90(2014) 024045 [1405.3827]
-
[16]
B.-L. Hu,Infrared Behavior of Quantum Fields in Inflationary Cosmology – Issues and Approaches: an overview,1812.11851
-
[17]
M.A. Nielsen, M.R. Dowling, M. Gu and A.C. Doherty,Quantum Computation as Geometry, Science311(2006) 1133 [quant-ph/0603161]
-
[18]
R. Jefferson and R.C. Myers,Circuit complexity in quantum field theory,JHEP10(2017) 107 [1707.08570]
-
[19]
N. Chagnet, S. Chapman, J. de Boer and C. Zukowski,Complexity for Conformal Field Theories in General Dimensions,Phys. Rev. Lett.128(2022) 051601 [2103.06920]
-
[20]
The Large N Limit of Superconformal Field Theories and Supergravity
J.M. Maldacena,The LargeNlimit of superconformal field theories and supergravity,Adv. Theor. Math. Phys.2(1998) 231 [hep-th/9711200]
work page internal anchor Pith review arXiv 1998
-
[21]
Anti De Sitter Space And Holography
E. Witten,Anti de Sitter space and holography,Adv. Theor. Math. Phys.2(1998) 253 [hep-th/9802150]
work page internal anchor Pith review arXiv 1998
-
[22]
Holographic Derivation of Entanglement Entropy from AdS/CFT
S. Ryu and T. Takayanagi,Holographic derivation of entanglement entropy from AdS/CFT, Phys. Rev. Lett.96(2006) 181602 [hep-th/0603001]
work page Pith review arXiv 2006
-
[23]
Aspects of Holographic Entanglement Entropy
S. Ryu and T. Takayanagi,Aspects of Holographic Entanglement Entropy,JHEP08(2006) 045 [hep-th/0605073]
work page Pith review arXiv 2006
-
[24]
Susskind,Entanglement is not enough,Fortsch
L. Susskind,Entanglement is not enough,Fortsch. Phys.64(2016) 49 [1411.0690]
-
[25]
A. Belin, R.C. Myers, S.-M. Ruan, G. S´ arosi and A.J. Speranza,Does Complexity Equal Anything?,Phys. Rev. Lett.128(2022) 081602 [2111.02429]
- [26]
-
[27]
R.C. Myers and S.-M. Ruan,Complexity Equals (Almost) Anything, 3, 2024 [2403.17475]
-
[28]
Susskind, Computational Complexity and Black Hole Horizons, Fortsch
L. Susskind,Computational Complexity and Black Hole Horizons,Fortsch. Phys.64(2016) 24 [1403.5695]
-
[29]
A.R. Brown, D.A. Roberts, L. Susskind, B. Swingle and Y. Zhao,Complexity, action, and black holes,Phys. Rev. D93(2016) 086006 [1512.04993]
-
[30]
A.R. Brown, D.A. Roberts, L. Susskind, B. Swingle and Y. Zhao,Holographic Complexity Equals Bulk Action?,Phys. Rev. Lett.116(2016) 191301 [1509.07876]
-
[31]
D. Carmi, R.C. Myers and P. Rath,Comments on Holographic Complexity,JHEP03(2017) 118 [1612.00433]
- [32]
-
[33]
S. Chapman, H. Marrochio and R.C. Myers,Complexity of Formation in Holography,JHEP 01(2017) 062 [1610.08063]. – 32 –
-
[34]
Alishahiha,Holographic Complexity,Phys
M. Alishahiha,Holographic Complexity,Phys. Rev. D92(2015) 126009 [1509.06614]
-
[35]
A. Strominger,The dS / CFT correspondence,JHEP10(2001) 034 [hep-th/0106113]
work page Pith review arXiv 2001
-
[36]
T. Banks, L. Mannelli and W. Fischler,Infrared divergences in dS/CFT,hep-th/0507055
work page internal anchor Pith review arXiv
-
[37]
V. Balasubramanian, J. de Boer and D. Minic,Notes on de Sitter space and holography, Class. Quant. Grav.19(2002) 5655 [hep-th/0207245]
-
[38]
L. Susskind,De Sitter Holography: Fluctuations, Anomalous Symmetry, and Wormholes, Universe7(2021) 464 [2106.03964]
-
[39]
E. Jørstad, R.C. Myers and S.-M. Ruan,Holographic complexity in dS d+1,JHEP05(2022) 119 [2202.10684]
-
[40]
L. Susskind,Entanglement and Chaos in De Sitter Space Holography: An SYK Example, JHAP1(2021) 1 [2109.14104]
-
[41]
M. Alishahiha, A. Karch, E. Silverstein and D. Tong,The dS/dS correspondence,AIP Conf. Proc.743(2004) 393 [hep-th/0407125]
work page Pith review arXiv 2004
-
[42]
V. Gorbenko, E. Silverstein and G. Torroba,dS/dS andT T,JHEP03(2019) 085 [1811.07965]
-
[43]
A. Lewkowycz, J. Liu, E. Silverstein and G. Torroba,T Tand EE, with implications for (A)dS subregion encodings,JHEP04(2020) 152 [1909.13808]
-
[44]
E. Coleman, E.A. Mazenc, V. Shyam, E. Silverstein, R.M. Soni, G. Torroba et al.,De Sitter microstates from T T+Λ 2 and the Hawking-Page transition,JHEP07(2022) 140 [2110.14670]
-
[45]
G. Batra, G.B. De Luca, E. Silverstein, G. Torroba and S. Yang,Bulk-local dS 3 holography: the matter withT T+Λ 2,JHEP10(2024) 072 [2403.01040]
-
[46]
S. Hawking, J.M. Maldacena and A. Strominger,de Sitter entropy, quantum entanglement and AdS / CFT,JHEP05(2001) 001 [hep-th/0002145]
-
[47]
An Alternative to Compactification
L. Randall and R. Sundrum,An Alternative to compactification,Phys. Rev. Lett.83(1999) 4690 [hep-th/9906064]
work page Pith review arXiv 1999
-
[48]
A. Karch and L. Randall,Locally localized gravity,JHEP05(2001) 008 [hep-th/0011156]
work page Pith review arXiv 2001
-
[49]
R. Emparan,Black hole entropy as entanglement entropy: A Holographic derivation,JHEP 06(2006) 012 [hep-th/0603081]
-
[50]
R. Emparan, J.F. Pedraza, A. Svesko, M. Tomaˇ sevi´ c and M.R. Visser,Black holes in dS3, JHEP11(2022) 073 [2207.03302]
-
[51]
A. Almheiri, R. Mahajan, J. Maldacena and Y. Zhao,The Page curve of Hawking radiation from semiclassical geometry,JHEP03(2020) 149 [1908.10996]
- [52]
-
[53]
Exact Description of Black Holes on Branes II: Comparison with BTZ Black Holes and Black Strings
R. Emparan, G.T. Horowitz and R.C. Myers,Exact description of black holes on branes. 2. Comparison with BTZ black holes and black strings,JHEP01(2000) 021 [hep-th/9912135]
work page Pith review arXiv 2000
-
[54]
R. Emparan, G.T. Horowitz and R.C. Myers,Exact description of black holes on branes, JHEP01(2000) 007 [hep-th/9911043]. – 33 –
-
[55]
R. Emparan, A. Fabbri and N. Kaloper,Quantum black holes as holograms in AdS brane worlds,JHEP08(2002) 043 [hep-th/0206155]
-
[56]
Y. Iwashita, T. Kobayashi, T. Shiromizu and H. Yoshino,Holographic entanglement entropy of de Sitter braneworld,Phys. Rev. D74(2006) 064027 [hep-th/0606027]
-
[57]
K. Kushihara, K. Izumi and T. Shiromizu,Holographic entanglement entropy of a de Sitter braneworld with Lovelock terms,PTEP2021(2021) 043E01 [2102.12597]
-
[58]
Reynolds and S.F
A.P. Reynolds and S.F. Ross,Complexity in de sitter space,Classical and Quantum Gravity 34(2017) 175013
2017
-
[59]
The Holographic Bound in Anti-de Sitter Space
L. Susskind and E. Witten,The Holographic bound in anti-de Sitter space,hep-th/9805114
-
[60]
Lloyd,Ultimate physical limits to computation,Nature406(2000) 1047–1054, [quant-ph/9908043]
S. Lloyd,Ultimate physical limits to computation,Nature406(2000) 1047 [quant-ph/9908043]
- [61]
-
[62]
A. Reynolds and S.F. Ross,Divergences in Holographic Complexity,Class. Quant. Grav.34 (2017) 105004 [1612.05439]
-
[63]
S. de Haro, K. Skenderis and S.N. Solodukhin,Gravity in warped compactifications and the holographic stress tensor,Class. Quant. Grav.18(2001) 3171 [hep-th/0011230]
- [64]
-
[65]
S. Nojiri and S.D. Odintsov,Newton potential in deSitter brane world,Phys. Lett. B548 (2002) 215 [hep-th/0209066]
-
[66]
Calcagni,de Sitter thermodynamics and the braneworld,JHEP09(2005) 060 [hep-th/0507125]
G. Calcagni,de Sitter thermodynamics and the braneworld,JHEP09(2005) 060 [hep-th/0507125]
-
[67]
E. Panella and A. Svesko,Quantum Kerr-de Sitter black holes in three dimensions,JHEP06 (2023) 127 [2303.08845]
- [68]
-
[69]
S.E. Aguilar-Gutierrez, A.K. Patra and J.F. Pedraza,Entangled universes in dS wedge holography,JHEP10(2023) 156 [2308.05666]
-
[70]
Y. Fu and K.-Y. Kim,Wedge holographic complexity in Karch-Randall braneworld,JHEP01 (2025) 174 [2412.00852]
-
[71]
M. Rangamani, M. Rozali and M. Van Raamsdonk,Cosmological Particle Production at Strong Coupling,JHEP09(2015) 213 [1505.03901]
-
[72]
Quantum Gravity In De Sitter Space
E. Witten,Quantum gravity in de Sitter space, inStrings 2001: International Conference, 6, 2001 [hep-th/0106109]
work page internal anchor Pith review arXiv 2001
-
[73]
Non-Gaussian features of primordial fluctuations in single field inflationary models
J.M. Maldacena,Non-Gaussian features of primordial fluctuations in single field inflationary models,JHEP05(2003) 013 [astro-ph/0210603]
work page Pith review arXiv 2003
-
[74]
The Hilbert space of de Sitter quantum gravity,
T. Chakraborty, J. Chakravarty, V. Godet, P. Paul and S. Raju,The Hilbert space of de Sitter quantum gravity,JHEP01(2024) 132 [2303.16315]
-
[75]
S. Chakraborty, G. Katoch and S.R. Roy,Holographic complexity of LST and single trace T T,JHEP03(2021) 275 [2012.11644]. – 34 –
- [76]
-
[77]
V. Chandrasekaran, R. Longo, G. Penington and E. Witten,An algebra of observables for de Sitter space,JHEP02(2023) 082 [2206.10780]
- [78]
-
[79]
S. Leutheusser and H. Liu,Volume as an index of a subalgebra,2508.00056
-
[80]
Alishahiha,Timelike Holographic Complexity,2510.25700
M. Alishahiha,Timelike Holographic Complexity,2510.25700
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.