Towards OSV in AdS
Pith reviewed 2026-06-26 06:59 UTC · model grok-4.3
The pith
The superconformal index of 3d N=2 SCFTs equals the square of the squashed three-sphere partition function in the Cardy-like limit, producing an OSV-like relation for AdS4 black holes.
A machine-rendered reading of the paper's core claim, the machinery that carries it, and where it could break.
Core claim
Supersymmetric localization establishes a relation of the form Z_{S^1×S^2} ∼ |Z_{S^3_b}|^2 between the superconformal index and the squashed three-sphere partition function for general 3d N=2 SCFTs, obtained via saddle point approximation in the Cardy-like limit of small S1 radius and large squashing parameter. A similar relation holds for the topologically twisted index. Holographically the result connects the partition function of supersymmetric asymptotically AdS4 black holes to the large N limit of Z_{S^3_b} of the dual SCFT; since the latter encodes the gauged supergravity prepotential, the relation is akin to the OSV conjecture for asymptotically flat black holes. The relation is confi
What carries the argument
Saddle point approximation to supersymmetric localization results in the Cardy-like limit of small S1 radius and large squashing parameter, which produces the index-partition function relation Z_{S^1×S^2} ∼ |Z_{S^3_b}|^2.
If this is right
- The index-partition function relation holds for every 3d N=2 SCFT.
- An analogous relation exists between the topologically twisted index and the squashed sphere partition function.
- The partition function of supersymmetric AdS4 black holes is determined by the large N limit of the dual SCFT's Z_{S^3_b}.
- The relation is verified at large N for SCFTs dual to M2-branes.
- A parallel relation holds for 5d SCFTs and asymptotically AdS6 black holes.
Where Pith is reading between the lines
- Black hole entropy in AdS4 could be extracted directly from field theory localization data without solving the gravitational equations of motion.
- The prepotential of gauged supergravity might be read off from SCFT indices in the appropriate limit.
- The same saddle point technique may produce analogous relations in other dimensions or for other classes of black holes.
Load-bearing premise
The saddle point approximation in the Cardy-like limit of small S1 radius and large squashing parameter captures the dominant contribution to the index.
What would settle it
An exact computation of the superconformal index for any specific 3d N=2 SCFT that fails to equal the square of its squashed three-sphere partition function in the small-radius large-squashing limit.
read the original abstract
We use supersymmetric localization for 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs to establish a relation of the form $Z_{S^1\times S^2} \sim |Z_{S^3_b}|^2$ between the superconformal index and the squashed three-sphere partition function. This applies to general 3d $\mathcal{N}=2$ SCFTs and is derived using a saddle point approximation in the Cardy-like limit of small $S^1$ radius and large squashing parameter. We also show a similar relation between the topologically twisted index and the squashed sphere partition function. In the context of holography our results lead to a relation between the partition function of supersymmetric asymptotically AdS$_4$ black holes and the large $N$ limit of $Z_{S^3_b}$ of the dual SCFT. Since the latter encodes the gauged supergravity prepotential, this result is akin to the OSV conjecture for asymptotically flat black holes. We confirm this relation in detail for SCFTs arising from M2-branes using recent large $N$ results from supersymmetric localization. We also briefly discuss a similar relation for 5d SCFTs and its implications for asymptotically AdS$_6$ black holes.
Editorial analysis
A structured set of objections, weighed in public.
Referee Report
Summary. The manuscript uses supersymmetric localization on 3d N=2 SCFTs to derive the relation Z_{S¹×S²} ∼ |Z_{S³_b}|^2 (and an analogous relation for the topologically twisted index) via saddle-point evaluation in the simultaneous limit of small S¹ radius and large squashing parameter. Holographically, this is interpreted as relating the partition function of supersymmetric AdS₄ black holes to the large-N limit of the dual SCFT's squashed-sphere partition function (which encodes the gauged supergravity prepotential), yielding an AdS analogue of the OSV conjecture. The relation is checked explicitly for M2-brane SCFTs using existing large-N localization results, with a brief extension to 5d SCFTs and AdS₆ black holes.
Significance. If the saddle-point step can be placed on a rigorous footing with controlled remainders, the result supplies a concrete holographic dictionary between AdS₄ black-hole partition functions and SCFT data already computed by localization, thereby furnishing an OSV-like statement in AdS whose leading large-N behavior is fixed by the prepotential. The explicit verification for M2-brane theories provides a non-trivial consistency check that strengthens the claim.
major comments (2)
- [saddle-point evaluation of the superconformal index] The central relation is obtained by saddle-point evaluation of the localized matrix model for the superconformal index in the Cardy-like limit β→0, b→∞. No explicit bound on the remainder of the saddle-point expansion is supplied, nor is it shown that sub-leading terms remain negligible after the large-N limit is taken and the holographic dictionary is applied (see the derivation leading to the relation stated in the abstract and the holographic discussion).
- [holographic interpretation] The holographic identification equates the approximated index directly with the black-hole partition function whose leading behavior is captured by the prepotential in Z_{S³_b}. It is not demonstrated that the error incurred by the saddle-point approximation is sub-dominant to the terms retained in the large-N holographic map (abstract and the M2-brane confirmation section).
minor comments (1)
- [abstract] The symbol ∼ in the central relation is used without a precise statement of the sense in which the equality holds (leading vs. sub-leading orders, etc.).
Simulated Author's Rebuttal
We thank the referee for the careful reading and positive assessment of the significance of our results. Below we respond point by point to the major comments on the saddle-point approximation.
read point-by-point responses
-
Referee: [saddle-point evaluation of the superconformal index] The central relation is obtained by saddle-point evaluation of the localized matrix model for the superconformal index in the Cardy-like limit β→0, b→∞. No explicit bound on the remainder of the saddle-point expansion is supplied, nor is it shown that sub-leading terms remain negligible after the large-N limit is taken and the holographic dictionary is applied (see the derivation leading to the relation stated in the abstract and the holographic discussion).
Authors: The saddle-point evaluation extracts the leading exponential behavior in the simultaneous Cardy-like limit, where corrections around the saddle are suppressed by positive powers of the small parameters β and 1/b. These corrections remain sub-dominant once the large-N limit is subsequently taken, as the leading term scales with N to a positive power while corrections do not. The explicit large-N match for M2-brane theories further supports that the retained terms capture the correct leading holographic behavior. We do not supply a fully rigorous bound with controlled remainders, as this would require analytic number theory techniques outside the scope of the localization approach used here. revision: no
-
Referee: [holographic interpretation] The holographic identification equates the approximated index directly with the black-hole partition function whose leading behavior is captured by the prepotential in Z_{S³_b}. It is not demonstrated that the error incurred by the saddle-point approximation is sub-dominant to the terms retained in the large-N holographic map (abstract and the M2-brane confirmation section).
Authors: In the large-N regime the holographic dictionary retains only the leading exponential terms fixed by the prepotential; the saddle-point errors are either exponentially smaller or scale as sub-leading powers of N (or logarithms) and are therefore negligible compared with the O(N^{3/2}) or higher leading contributions to the black-hole partition function. This is confirmed by the explicit agreement at leading order in the M2-brane examples. We therefore maintain that the error is sub-dominant for the purposes of the stated relation. revision: no
- A rigorous mathematical bound on the saddle-point remainder (with controlled errors after the large-N limit) that would place the central relation on fully rigorous footing.
Circularity Check
No significant circularity; derivation uses standard localization plus saddle-point limit
full rationale
The claimed relation Z_{S^1×S^2} ∼ |Z_{S^3_b}|^2 is obtained by applying supersymmetric localization to the superconformal index followed by an explicit saddle-point evaluation in the simultaneous β→0, b→∞ limit. This step is an approximation whose validity is controlled by the limit itself rather than by redefining the target quantity in terms of itself. The subsequent holographic identification with the AdS4 black-hole partition function is presented as a consequence of the approximated index equaling the large-N prepotential encoded in Z_{S^3_b}, not as an input that forces the result. No self-citation is invoked as a uniqueness theorem, no parameter is fitted to a subset and then relabeled a prediction, and no ansatz is smuggled via prior work. The derivation chain therefore remains self-contained against external benchmarks.
Axiom & Free-Parameter Ledger
axioms (2)
- domain assumption supersymmetric localization computes the superconformal index and squashed-sphere partition function for 3d N=2 SCFTs
- domain assumption saddle-point approximation is valid in the Cardy-like limit of small S1 radius and large squashing parameter
Reference graph
Works this paper leans on
- [1]
-
[2]
N. Bobev, P.-J. De Smet, J. Hong, V. Reys and X. Zhang,An Airy tale at large N,JHEP07 (2025) 123, [2502.04606]
arXiv 2025
- [3]
- [4]
- [5]
-
[6]
H. Ooguri, A. Strominger and C. Vafa,Black hole attractors and the topological string,Phys. Rev. D70(2004) 106007, [hep-th/0405146]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2004
-
[7]
Pioline,Lectures on black holes, topological strings and quantum attractors,Class
B. Pioline,Lectures on black holes, topological strings and quantum attractors,Class. Quant. Grav.23(2006) S981, [hep-th/0607227]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2006
-
[8]
M. Guica and A. Strominger,Cargese lectures on string theory with eight supercharges,Nucl. Phys. B Proc. Suppl.171(2007) 39–68, [0704.3295]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2007
-
[9]
M. Bershadsky, S. Cecotti, H. Ooguri and C. Vafa,Kodaira-Spencer theory of gravity and exact results for quantum string amplitudes,Commun. Math. Phys.165(1994) 311–428, [hep-th/9309140]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 1994
-
[10]
I. Antoniadis, E. Gava, K. S. Narain and T. R. Taylor,Topological amplitudes in string theory, Nucl. Phys. B413(1994) 162–184, [hep-th/9307158]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 1994
-
[11]
B. Zan, D. Z. Freedman and S. S. Pufu,TheN= 2 prepotential and the sphere free energy, JHEP06(2022) 045, [2112.06931]
arXiv 2022
- [12]
-
[13]
K. Hristov,4dN= 2 supergravity observables from Nekrasov-like partition functions,JHEP 02(2022) 079, [2111.06903]
arXiv 2022
-
[14]
Hristov,ABJM at finite N via 4d supergravity,JHEP10(2022) 190, [2204.02992]
K. Hristov,ABJM at finite N via 4d supergravity,JHEP10(2022) 190, [2204.02992]
arXiv 2022
-
[15]
K. Hristov,Maximally symmetric nuts in 4dN= 2higher derivative supergravity,JHEP02 (2023) 110, [2212.10590]. – 46 –
arXiv 2023
-
[16]
P. Benetti Genolini, F. Gaar, J. P. Gauntlett and J. Sparks,Equivariant localization for higher derivative supergravity,2604.08656
-
[17]
Marino,Localization at large N in Chern–Simons-matter theories,J
M. Marino,Localization at large N in Chern–Simons-matter theories,J. Phys. A50(2017) 443007, [1608.02959]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2017
-
[18]
L. Cassia and K. Hristov,Constant maps in equivariant topological strings and geometric modeling of fluxes,J. Phys. A58(2025) 495201, [2502.20444]
arXiv 2025
-
[19]
L. Cassia and K. Hristov,M2-brane partition functions and HD supergravity from equivariant volumes,JHEP03(2026) 100, [2508.21619]
arXiv 2026
-
[20]
K. Hristov, N. Kubo and Y. Pang,S3 partition functions and Equivariant CY4/ CY3 correspondence from Quantum curves,2603.19159
-
[21]
N. Bobev and P. M. Crichigno,Universal RG Flows Across Dimensions and Holography, JHEP12(2017) 065, [1708.05052]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2017
-
[22]
N. Bobev and P. M. Crichigno,Universal spinning black holes and theories of classR,JHEP 12(2019) 054, [1909.05873]
arXiv 2019
- [23]
-
[24]
S. Bhattacharyya, A. Grassi, M. Marino and A. Sen,A One-Loop Test of Quantum Supergravity,Class. Quant. Grav.31(2014) 015012, [1210.6057]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2014
-
[25]
J. T. Liu, L. A. Pando Zayas, V. Rathee and W. Zhao,One-Loop Test of Quantum Black Holes in anti–de Sitter Space,Phys. Rev. Lett.120(2018) 221602, [1711.01076]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2018
-
[26]
L. A. Pando Zayas and Y. Xin,Universal logarithmic behavior in microstate counting and the dual one-loop entropy ofAdS4 black holes,Phys. Rev. D103(2021) 026003, [2008.03239]
arXiv 2021
- [27]
-
[28]
F. F. Gautason and J. van Muiden,Localization of the M2-Brane,Phys. Rev. Lett.135(2025) 101601, [2503.16597]
arXiv 2025
-
[29]
S. Choi, C. Hwang and S. Kim,Quantum vortices, M2-branes and black holes,JHEP09 (2024) 096, [1908.02470]
arXiv 2024
-
[30]
S. Choi and C. Hwang,Universal 3d Cardy Block and Black Hole Entropy,JHEP03(2020) 068, [1911.01448]
arXiv 2020
- [31]
-
[32]
Pasquetti,Factorisation of N = 2 Theories on the Squashed 3-Sphere,JHEP04(2012) 120, [1111.6905]
S. Pasquetti,Factorisation of N = 2 Theories on the Squashed 3-Sphere,JHEP04(2012) 120, [1111.6905]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2012
-
[33]
C. Beem, T. Dimofte and S. Pasquetti,Holomorphic Blocks in Three Dimensions,JHEP12 (2014) 177, [1211.1986]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2014
-
[34]
C. Hwang, H.-C. Kim and J. Park,Factorization of the 3d superconformal index,JHEP08 (2014) 018, [1211.6023]. – 47 –
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2014
-
[35]
F. Azzurli, N. Bobev, P. M. Crichigno, V. S. Min and A. Zaffaroni,A universal counting of black hole microstates in AdS4,JHEP02(2018) 054, [1707.04257]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2018
-
[36]
S. M. Hosseini, K. Hristov and A. Zaffaroni,Gluing gravitational blocks for AdS black holes, JHEP12(2019) 168, [1909.10550]
arXiv 2019
- [37]
-
[38]
K. Hristov,Equivariant localization and gluing rules in 4dN= 2higher derivative supergravity, 6, 2024.2406.18648
arXiv 2024
-
[39]
K. Hristov and V. Reys,Factorization of log-corrections in AdS4/CFT3 from supergravity localization,JHEP12(2021) 031, [2107.12398]
arXiv 2021
-
[40]
N. Hama, K. Hosomichi and S. Lee,SUSY Gauge Theories on Squashed Three-Spheres,JHEP 05(2011) 014, [1102.4716]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2011
-
[41]
Y. Imamura and D. Yokoyama,N=2 supersymmetric theories on squashed three-sphere,Phys. Rev. D85(2012) 025015, [1109.4734]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2012
-
[42]
A. Kapustin, B. Willett and I. Yaakov,Exact Results for Wilson Loops in Superconformal Chern-Simons Theories with Matter,JHEP03(2010) 089, [0909.4559]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2010
-
[43]
A. Kapustin, B. Willett and I. Yaakov,Nonperturbative Tests of Three-Dimensional Dualities, JHEP10(2010) 013, [1003.5694]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2010
-
[44]
D. L. Jafferis,The Exact Superconformal R-Symmetry Extremizes Z,JHEP05(2012) 159, [1012.3210]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2012
-
[45]
D. Z. Freedman and S. S. Pufu,The holography ofF-maximization,JHEP03(2014) 135, [1302.7310]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2014
-
[46]
N. Hama, K. Hosomichi and S. Lee,Notes on SUSY Gauge Theories on Three-Sphere,JHEP 03(2011) 127, [1012.3512]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2011
-
[47]
Willett,Localization on three-dimensional manifolds,J
B. Willett,Localization on three-dimensional manifolds,J. Phys. A50(2017) 443006, [1608.02958]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2017
-
[48]
S. M. Chester, R. R. Kalloor and A. Sharon,Squashing, Mass, and Holography for 3d Sphere Free Energy,JHEP04(2021) 244, [2102.05643]
arXiv 2021
-
[49]
D. Martelli and J. Sparks,The large N limit of quiver matrix models and Sasaki-Einstein manifolds,Phys. Rev. D84(2011) 046008, [1102.5289]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2011
-
[50]
T. Nosaka,Instanton effects in ABJM theory with general R-charge assignments,JHEP03 (2016) 059, [1512.02862]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2016
-
[51]
J. Bhattacharya, S. Bhattacharyya, S. Minwalla and S. Raju,Indices for Superconformal Field Theories in 3,5 and 6 Dimensions,JHEP02(2008) 064, [0801.1435]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2008
-
[52]
J. Bhattacharya and S. Minwalla,Superconformal Indices for N = 6 Chern Simons Theories, JHEP01(2009) 014, [0806.3251]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2009
-
[53]
Kim,The Complete superconformal index for N=6 Chern-Simons theory,Nucl
S. Kim,The Complete superconformal index for N=6 Chern-Simons theory,Nucl. Phys. B 821(2009) 241–284, [0903.4172]. – 48 –
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2009
-
[54]
O. Aharony, S. S. Razamat, N. Seiberg and B. Willett,3d dualities from 4d dualities,JHEP 07(2013) 149, [1305.3924]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2013
-
[55]
O. Aharony, S. S. Razamat, N. Seiberg and B. Willett,3ddualities from 4ddualities for orthogonal groups,JHEP08(2013) 099, [1307.0511]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2013
-
[56]
Y. Imamura and S. Yokoyama,Index for three dimensional superconformal field theories with general R-charge assignments,JHEP04(2011) 007, [1101.0557]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2011
-
[57]
P. Benetti Genolini, A. Cabo-Bizet and S. Murthy,Supersymmetric phases of AdS4/CFT3, JHEP06(2023) 125, [2301.00763]
arXiv 2023
-
[58]
A. Arabi Ardehali, M. Boisvert and S. H. Fadda,Cardy limit of the 3d superconformal index, 2509.18285
-
[59]
S. Choi, J. Kim, S. Kim and J. Nahmgoong,Large AdS black holes from QFT,1810.12067
-
[60]
D. Cassani and Z. Komargodski,EFT and the SUSY Index on the 2nd Sheet,SciPost Phys.11 (2021) 004, [2104.01464]
arXiv 2021
-
[61]
Y. Imamura, D. Yokoyama and S. Yokoyama,Superconformal index for large N quiver Chern-Simons theories,JHEP08(2011) 011, [1102.0621]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2011
-
[62]
C. Krattenthaler, V. P. Spiridonov and G. S. Vartanov,Superconformal indices of three-dimensional theories related by mirror symmetry,JHEP06(2011) 008, [1103.4075]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2011
-
[63]
A. Kapustin and B. Willett,Generalized Superconformal Index for Three Dimensional Field Theories,1106.2484
-
[64]
S. Pasquetti and M. Sacchi,From 3ddualities to 2dfree field correlators and back,JHEP11 (2019) 081, [1903.10817]
arXiv 2019
-
[65]
J. Nian and L. A. Pando Zayas,Microscopic entropy of rotating electrically charged AdS4 black holes from field theory localization,JHEP03(2020) 081, [1909.07943]
arXiv 2020
-
[66]
S. Choi, J. Hong, J. Lee and S. Lee,To appear,26xx.xxxxx
-
[67]
O. Aharony, O. Bergman, D. L. Jafferis and J. Maldacena,N=6 superconformal Chern-Simons-matter theories, M2-branes and their gravity duals,JHEP10(2008) 091, [0806.1218]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2008
-
[68]
M. Marino and P. Putrov,ABJM theory as a Fermi gas,J. Stat. Mech.1203(2012) P03001, [1110.4066]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2012
-
[69]
A. González Lezcano, M. Jerdee and L. A. Pando Zayas,Cardy expansion of 3d superconformal indices and corrections to the dual black hole entropy,JHEP01(2023) 044, [2210.12065]
arXiv 2023
-
[70]
A. Narukawa,The modular properties and the integral representations of the multiple elliptic gamma functions,math/0306164
-
[71]
S. Geukens and J. Hong,Subleading analysis for S3 partition functions ofN= 2 holographic SCFTs,JHEP06(2024) 190, [2405.00845]
arXiv 2024
-
[72]
N. Drukker, M. Marino and P. Putrov,From weak to strong coupling in ABJM theory, Commun. Math. Phys.306(2011) 511–563, [1007.3837]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2011
-
[73]
S. Choi, C. Hwang, S. Kim and J. Nahmgoong,Entropy Functions of BPS Black Holes in AdS4 and AdS6,J. Korean Phys. Soc.76(2020) 101–108, [1811.02158]. – 49 –
arXiv 2020
-
[74]
D. Cassani and L. Papini,The BPS limit of rotating AdS black hole thermodynamics,JHEP 09(2019) 079, [1906.10148]
arXiv 2019
-
[75]
K. Hristov, S. Katmadas and C. Toldo,Matter-coupled supersymmetric Kerr-Newman-AdS4 black holes,Phys. Rev. D100(2019) 066016, [1907.05192]
arXiv 2019
-
[76]
M. Mezei and S. S. Pufu,Three-sphere free energy for classical gauge groups,JHEP02(2014) 037, [1312.0920]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2014
-
[77]
A. Grassi and M. Marino,M-theoretic matrix models,JHEP02(2015) 115, [1403.4276]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2015
-
[78]
M. F. Atiyah, N. J. Hitchin, V. G. Drinfeld and Y. I. Manin,Construction of Instantons, Phys. Lett. A65(1978) 185–187
1978
-
[79]
F. Benini and A. Zaffaroni,A topologically twisted index for three-dimensional supersymmetric theories,JHEP07(2015) 127, [1504.03698]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2015
-
[80]
C. Closset and H. Kim,Comments on twisted indices in 3d supersymmetric gauge theories, JHEP08(2016) 059, [1605.06531]
Pith/arXiv arXiv 2016
discussion (0)
Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.