Shockwave S-matrix from Schwarzian quantum mechanics

Abstract

Abstract Schwarzian quantum mechanics describes the collective IR mode of the SYK model and captures key features of 2D black hole dynamics. Exact results for its correlation functions were obtained in [1]. We compare these results with bulk gravity expectations. We find that the semi-classical limit of the OTO four-point function exactly matches with the scattering amplitude obtained from the Dray-’t Hooft shockwave $$ \mathcal{S} $$ S -matrix. We show that the two point function of heavy operators reduces to the semi-classical saddle-point of the Schwarzian action. We also explain a previously noted match between the OTO four point functions and 2D conformal blocks. Generalizations to higher-point functions are discussed.