Universal Charge Diffusion and the Butterfly Effect

Abstract

We study charge diffusion in holographic scaling theories with a particle-hole symmetry. We show that these theories have a universal regime in which the diffusion constant is given by $D_c = C v_B^2/ (2 πT)$ where $v_B$ is the velocity of the butterfly effect. The constant of proportionality, $C$, depends only on the scaling exponents of the infra-red theory. Our results suggest an unexpected connection between transport at strong coupling and quantum chaos.

13 pages, v2: minor clarifications, note added, v3: some changes in presentation, version to appear in PRL as 'Universal Charge Diffusion and the Butterfly Effect in Holographic Theories'