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Abstract: Superconformal field
theories in d<5 permit rich families of boundary conditions,
junctions, and interfaces which may be used to engineer new
conformal field theories and explore non-perturbative phenomena.
Many of these properties descend from the existence of a 6d (2,0)
SCFT on the worldvolume of M5 branes, but this theory permits
no Lagrangian description, making it difficult to study directly.
Two closely related proposals to understand the 6d theory involve
either boosting the M-theory system into the infinite momentum
frame, leading to a matrix model description in terms of 5d
instanton particles; alternatively, one can compactify the 6d
theory on a Lorentzian/null circle, leading to an exotic
non-Lorentzian yet Lagrangian 5d SCFT.
In this talk, I present ongoing work joint with Mykola
Dedushenko on superconformal initial conditions for the null 5d
SCFT, which are natural lightcone analogs of boundary
conditions. These initial conditions may be thought of as
protected field theory states arising from QFT on the Lorentzian
half-space, and we find both Dirichlet and Neumann conditions which
preserve an unusual amount of supersymmetry. Some comparisons
with the matrix description can be made, but the field theory
viewpoint may prove to be a more general and direct approach. Given
this is in-progress work in a slightly exotic setting, I will
encourage discussion and suggestions for how to expand on this
proposal.