Wilson loops correlators in defect $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM

Abstract: We consider the correlator of two concentric circular Wilson loops with equal radii for arbitrary spatial and internal separation at strong coupling within a defect version of $\mathcal{N}=4$ SYM. Compared to the standard Gross-Ooguri phase transition between connected and disconnected minimal surfaces, a more complicated pattern of saddle-points contributes to the two-circles correlator due to the defect's presence. We analyze the transitions between different kinds of minimal surfaces and their dependence on the setting's numerous parameters.