The Associative Algebras of Conformal Field Theory

Modulo the ideal generated by the derivative fields, the normal ordered product of holomorphic fields in two-dimensional conformal field theory yields a commutative and associative algebra. The zero mode algebra can be regarded as a deformation of the latter. Alternatively, it can be described as an associative quotient of the algebra given by a modified normal ordered product. We clarify the relation of these structures to Zhu's product and Zhu's algebra of the mathematical literature.     

Axiomatic Conformal Field Theory

A new rigourous approach to conformal field theory is presented. The basic objects are families of complex-valued amplitudes, which define a meromorphic conformal field theory (or chiral algebra) and which lead naturally to the definition of topological vector spaces, between which vertex operators act as continuous operators. In fact, in order to develop the theory, M?bius invariance rather than full conformal invariance is required but it is shown that every M?bius theory can be extended to a conformal theory by the construction of a Virasoro field. In this approach, a representation of a conformal field theory is naturally defined in terms of a family of amplitudes with appropriate analytic properties. It is shown that these amplitudes can also be derived from a suitable collection of states in the meromorphic theory. Zhu's algebra then appears naturally as the algebra of conditions which states defining highest weight representations must satisfy. The relationship of the representations of Zhu's algebra to the classification of highest weight representations is explained. Received: 22 October 1998 / Accepted: 16 July 1999     

Affine Orbifolds and Rational Conformal Field Theory Extensions of W 1+∞

Chiral orbifold models are defined as gauge field theories with a finite gauge group Γ. We start with a conformal current algebra associated with a connected compact Lie group G and a negative definite integral invariant bilinear form on its Lie algebra. Any finite group Γ of inner automorphisms or (in particular, any finite subgroup of G) gives rise to a gauge theory with a chiral subalgebra of local observables invariant under Γ. A set of positive energy modules is constructed whose characters span, under some assumptions on Γ, a finite dimensional unitary representation of . We compute their asymptotic dimensions (thus singling out the nontrivial orbifold modules) and find explicit formulae for the modular transformations and hence, for the fusion rules. As an application we construct a family of rational conformal field theory (RCFT) extensions of W _1+∞ that appear to provide a bridge between two approaches to the quantum Hall effect. Received: 5 December 1996 / Accepted: 1 April 1997     

Introduction to Conformal Field Theory

An elementary introduction to conformal field theory is given. Topics include free bosons and fermions, orbifolds, affine Lie algebras, coset conformal field theories, superconformal theories, correlation functions on the sphere, partition functions and modular invariance.     

Fusion Rules in Conformal Field Theory

Several aspects of fusion rings and fusion rule algebras, and of their manifestations in two-dimensional (conformal) field theory, are described: diagonalization and the connection with modular invariance; the presentation in terms of quotients of polynomial rings; fusion graphs; various strategies that allow for a partial classification; and the role of the fusion rules in the conformal bootstrap programme.     

Parametric Representation of Noncommutative Field Theory

In this paper we investigate the Schwinger parametric representation for the Feynman amplitudes of the recently discovered renormalizable quantum field theory on the Moyal non commutative space. This representation involves new hyperbolic polynomials which are the non-commutative analogs of the usual “Kirchoff” or “Symanzik” polynomials of commutative field theory, but contain richer topological information. Work supported by ANR grant NT05-3-43374 “GenoPhy”.     

Noninteraction of Waves in Two-dimensional Conformal Field Theory

In higher dimensional quantum field theory, irreducible representations of the Poincaré group are associated with particles. Their counterpart in two-dimensional massless models are ??waves?? introduced by Buchholz. In this paper we show that waves do not interact in two-dimensional M?bius covariant theories and in- and out-asymptotic fields coincide. We identify the set of the collision states of waves with the subspace generated by the chiral components of the M?bius covariant net from the vacuum. It is also shown that Bisognano-Wichmann property, dilation covariance and asymptotic completeness (with respect to waves) imply M?bius symmetry. Under natural assumptions, we observe that the maps which give asymptotic fields in Poincaré covariant theory are conditional expectations between appropriate algebras. We show that a two-dimensional massless theory is asymptotically complete and noninteracting if and only if it is a chiral M?bius covariant theory.     

On the Uniqueness of Diffeomorphism Symmetry in Conformal Field Theory

A Möbius covariant net of von Neumann algebras on S¹ is diffeomorphism covariant if its Möbius symmetry extends to diffeomorphism symmetry. We prove that in case the net is either a Virasoro net or any at least 4-regular net such an extension is unique: the local algebras together with the Möbius symmetry (equivalently: the local algebras together with the vacuum vector) completely determine it. We draw the two following conclusions for such theories. (1) The value of the central charge c is an invariant and hence the Virasoro nets for different values of c are not isomorphic as Möbius covariant nets. (2) A vacuum preserving internal symmetry always commutes with the diffeomorphism symmetries. We further use our result to give a large class of new examples of nets (even strongly additive ones), which are not diffeomorphism covariant; i.e. which do not admit an extension of the symmetry to Diff⁺(S¹).Supported in part by the Italian MIUR and GNAMPA-INDAM.     

Nuclearity and Thermal States in Conformal Field Theory

We introduce a new type of spectral density condition, that we call L ²- nuclearity. One formulation concerns lowest weight unitary representations of and turns out to be equivalent to the existence of characters. A second formulation concerns inclusions of local observable von Neumann algebras in Quantum Field Theory. We show the two formulations to agree in chiral Conformal QFT and, starting from the trace class condition for the conformal Hamiltonian L ₀, we infer and naturally estimate the Buchholz-Wichmann nuclearity condition and the (distal) split property. As a corollary, if L ₀ is log-elliptic, the Buchholz-Junglas set up is realized and so there exists a β-KMS state for the translation dynamics on the net of C^*-algebras for every inverse temperature β > 0. We include further discussions on higher dimensional spacetimes. In particular, we verify that L ²-nuclearity is satisfied for the scalar, massless Klein-Gordon field. Dedicated to László Zsidó on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday Supported by MIUR, GNAMPA-INDAM and EU network “Quantum Spaces–Non Commutative Geometry” HPRN-CT-2002-00280     

Conformal Generally Covariant Quantum Field Theory: The Scalar Field and its Wick Products

In this paper we generalize the construction of generally covariant quantum theories given in [BFV03] to encompass the conformal covariant case. After introducing the abstract framework, we discuss the massless conformally coupled Klein Gordon field theory, showing that its quantization corresponds to a functor between two certain categories. At the abstract level, the ordinary fields, could be thought of as natural transformations in the sense of category theory. We show that the Wick monomials without derivatives (Wick powers) can be interpreted as fields in this generalized sense, provided a non-trivial choice of the renormalization constants is given. A careful analysis shows that the transformation law of Wick powers is characterized by a weight, and it turns out that the sum of fields with different weights breaks the conformal covariance. At this point there is a difference between the previously given picture due to the presence of a bigger group of covariance. It is furthermore shown that the construction does not depend upon the scale μ appearing in the Hadamard parametrix, used to regularize the fields. Finally, we briefly discuss some further examples of more involved fields.     

Two-Term Dilogarithm Identities Related to Conformal Field Theory

We study 2 × 2 matrices A such that the corresponding thermodynamic Bethe ansatz (TBA) equations yield in the form of the effective central charge of a minimal Virasoro model. Certain properties of such matrices and the corresponding solutions of the TBA equations are established. Several continuous families and a discrete set of admissible matrices A are found. The corresponding two-term dilogarithm identities (some of which appear to be new) are obtained. Most of them are proven or shown to be equivalent to previously known identities.     

On Examples of Intermediate Subfactors from Conformal Field Theory

Motivated by our subfactor generalization of Wall’s conjecture, in this paper we determine all intermediate subfactors for conformal subnets corresponding to four infinite series of conformal inclusions, and as a consequence we verify that these series of subfactors verify our conjecture. Our results can be stated in the framework of Vertex Operator Algebras. We also verify our conjecture for Jones-Wassermann subfactors from representations of Loop groups extending our earlier results.     

Conformal Invariance and Gravitational Coupling in Quantum Field Theory

We study the quantum constraints of a conformalinvariant action for a scalar field. For this purpose webriefly present a reformulation of the duality principleadvanced earlier in the context of generally covariant quantum field theory, and apply it toexamine the finite structure of the quantum constraints.This structure is shown to admit a dimensional coupling(a coupling mediated by a dimensional coupling parameter) of states to gravity. Invariancebreaking is introduced by defining a preferredconfiguration of dynamical variables in terms of thelargescale characteristics of the universe. In thisconfiguration a close relationship between the quantumconstraints and the Einstein equations isestablished.     

Topological Sectors and a Dichotomy in Conformal Field Theory

Let be a local conformal net of factors on S¹ with the split property. We provide a topological construction of soliton representations of the n-fold tensor product that restrict to true representations of the cyclic orbifold We prove a quantum index theorem for our sectors relating the Jones index to a topological degree. Then is not completely rational iff the symmetrized tensor product has an irreducible representation with infinite index. This implies the following dichotomy: if all irreducible sectors of have a conjugate sector then either is completely rational or has uncountably many different irreducible sectors. Thus is rational iff is completely rational. In particular, if the -index of is finite then turns out to be strongly additive. By [31], if is rational then the tensor category of representations of is automatically modular, namely the braiding symmetry is non-degenerate. In interesting cases, we compute the fusion rules of the topological solitons and show that they determine all twisted sectors of the cyclic orbifold.Supported in part by GNAMPA-INDAM and MIURSupported in part by NSF     

Free Boson Representation of DYh(sl2)k and the Deformation of the Feigin-Fuchs

A realization of the Yangian double with center DY_h(sl₂)_k of level-k(≠ 0, -2) in terms of free boson fields is constructed. The screening currents are also presented, which commute with DY_h(sl₂) modulo total difference. In the n → 0 limit, the currents of Yangian double DY_h(sl₂)_k become the Feigin-Fuchs realization of affine Lie Sl(2)k, while the screening currents of Yangian double DY_h(sl₂)_k become the screening currents of the affine Lie algebra sl(2)k.     

Asymptotic Completeness for Infraparticles in Two-Dimensional Conformal Field Theory

We formulate a new concept of asymptotic completeness for two-dimensional massless quantum field theories in the spirit of the theory of particle weights. We show that this concept is more general than the standard particle interpretation based on Buchholz’ scattering theory of waves. In particular, it holds in any chiral conformal field theory in an irreducible product representation and in any completely rational conformal field theory. This class contains theories of infraparticles to which the scattering theory of waves does not apply.     

Global Gauge Anomalies in Coset Models of Conformal Field Theory

We study the occurrence of global gauge anomalies in the coset models of two-dimensional conformal field theory that are based on gauged WZW models. A complete classification of the non-anomalous theories for a wide family of gauged rigid adjoint or twisted-adjoint symmetries of WZW models is achieved with the help of Dynkin’s classification of Lie subalgebras of simple Lie algebras.