Four-point functions with multi-cycle fields in symmetric orbifolds and the D1-D5 CFT

Abstract: We study $S_N$-invariant four-point functions with two generic multi-cycle fields and two twist-2 fields, at the free orbifold point of the D1-D5 CFT. We derive the explicit factorization of these functions following from the action of the symmetric group on the composite multi-cycle fields. Apart from non-trivial symmetry factors that we compute, the function with multi-cycle operators is reduced to a sum of connected correlators in which the composite fields have, at most, two cycles. The correlators with two double-cycle and two single-cycle fields give the leading order contribution in the large-$N$ limit. We derive explicit formulas for these functions, encompassing a large class of choices for the single- and the double-cycle fields, including generic Ramond ground states, NS chiral fields and the marginal deformation operator. We are thus able to extract important dynamical information from the short-distance OPEs: conformal dimensions, R-charges and structure constants of families of BPS and non-BPS fields present in the corresponding light-light and heavy-light channels. We also discuss properties of generic multi-cycle $Q$-point functions in $M^N/S_N$ orbifolds, using a technology due to Pakman, Rastelli and Razamat.