Stress Tensors from Trace Anomalies in Conformal Field Theories

Abstract

Using trace anomalies, we determine the vacuum stress tensors of arbitrary even dimensional conformal field theories in Weyl flat backgrounds. We demonstrate a simple relation between the Casimir energy on the real line times a sphere and the type A anomaly coefficient. This relation generalizes earlier results in two and four dimensions. These field theory results for the Casimir are shown to be consistent with holographic predictions in two, four, and six dimensions.

10 pages; v2 refs and footnote added; v3 discussion of weak coupling calculation added

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