Temperature corrections to conformal field theory

We consider finite temperature dynamical correlation functions in the interacting delta-function Bose gas. In the low-temperature limit the asymptotic behaviour of correlation functions can be determined from conformal field theory. In the present work we determine the deviations from conformal behaviour at low temperatures. Received: 14 January 1998 / Accepted: 17 March 1998     

Quenched string field theory

We construct a toy model of Witten's open string field theory by truncating the Virasoro group to its SU(1,1) subgroup. The string field is given in terms of finite-dimensional matrices, which satisfy a non-trivial BRST cohomology. The string gauge group is found to be SO(3). Finally, we perform the gauge fixing of the action, finding an explicit formula for calculating the partition function.     

From geometric quantization to conformal field theory

Investigation of 2d conformal field theory in terms of geometric quantization is given. We quantize the so-called model space of the compact Lie group, Virasoro group and Kac-Moody group. In particular, we give a geometrical interpretation of the Virasoro discrete series and explain that this type of geometric quantization reproduces the chiral part of CFT (minimal models, 2d-gravity, WZNW theory). In the appendix we discuss the relation between classical (constant)r-matrices and this geometrical approach.     

Nonperturbative deformation of conformal field theory and spontaneously broken inter mass level symmetries in string thery

We study the deformation of conformal field theory without leaving the fixed points. It is found that an infinite number of higher spin background fields are needed to cancel theq-number anomalies when one goes beyond first order weak field calculation. This phenomenon can be interpreted in string theory as spontaneously broken symmetries between particles with different masses.     

Classical and quantum conformal field theory

We define chiral vertex operators and duality matrices and review the fundamental identities they satisfy. In order to understand the meaning of these equations, and therefore of conformal field theory, we define the classical limit of a conformal field theory as a limit in which the conformal weights of all primary fields vanish. The classical limit of the equations for the duality matrices in rational field theory together with some results of category theory, suggest that (quantum) conformal field theory should be regarded as a generalization of group theory.On leave of absence from the Department of Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel     

Operator algebras and conformal field theory

We define and study two-dimensional, chiral conformal field theory by the methods of algebraic field theory. We start by characterizing the vacuum sectors of such theories and show that, under very general hypotheses, their algebras of local observables are isomorphic to the unique hyperfinite type III₁ factor. The conformal net determined by the algebras of local observables is proven to satisfy Haag duality. The representation of the Moebius group (and presumably of the entire Virasoro algebra) on the vacuum sector of a conformal field theory is uniquely determined by the Tomita-Takesaki modular operators associated with its vacuum state and its conformal net. We then develop the theory of Moebius covariant representations of a conformal net, using methods of Doplicher, Haag and Roberts. We apply our results to the representation theory of loop groups. Our analysis is motivated by the desire to find a background-independent formulation of conformal field theories.     

Rationality in conformal field theory

We show that if the one-loop partition function of a modular invariant conformal field theory can be expressed as a finite sum of holomorphically factorized terms thenc and all values ofh are rational.     

A conformal holomorphic field theory

A formulation of a field theory on the complex Minkowski space in terms of complex differential geometry is proposed. It is also shown that our model of field theory differs from the standard model on the real Minkowski space only in the limit of high energy.     

Two-dimensional conformal quantum field theory

On leave of absence from the Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia 1784, Bulgaria.     

Fundamental domains and light-cone string field theory

It is shown that light-cone string field theory leads to a very simple specification of the fundamental domain over which the moduli are to be integrated for multiloop string and superstring amplitudes, as well as clarifying related questions.     

Tachyon condensation and open string field theory

We perform canonical quantization of open string on a unstable D-brane in the background of tachyon condensation. Evaluating the Polyakov path-integral on a strip, we obtain a field theoretical propagator in the open string theory. As condensation occurs the string field theory is continuously deformed. At the infrared fixed point of condensation, the open string field on the unstable D-brane transmutes to that on the lower-dimensional D-brane with the correct D-brane tension.     

BRST-symmetries in free string field theory

A unitary field transformation useful for examination of the BRST-symmetries in free bosonic open-string field theory is introduced. It is similar to Siegel and Zwiebach's transformation, but leads to a hermitian BRST-charge in contrast to theirs. The transformed BRST-transformation factorizes into two parts, making the gauge-unfixing procedure rather trivial. Both the minimal-type gauge-invariant action and Witten's action are dealt with.     

Fay's trisecant identity and conformal field theory

We study the correlation functions of a system of free chiral fermions on a compact Riemann surface using techniques of algebraic geometry. Fay's trisecant identity arises as a consequence of the proof of the uniqueness of correlation functions.