Implementation of Conformal Covariance by Diffeomorphism Symmetry

Every locally normal representation of a local chiral conformal quantum theory is covariant with respect to global conformal transformations, if this theory is diffeomorphism covariant in its vacuum representation. The unitary, strongly continuous representation implementing conformal symmetry is constructed; it consists of operators which are inner in a global sense for the representation of the quantum theory. The construction is independent of positivity of energy and applies to all locally normal representations irrespective of their statistical dimensions (index)     

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     

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.     

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.     

PT Symmetry in Quantum Field Theory

The Hamiltonian H specifies the energy levels and the time evolution of a quantum theory. It is an axiom of quantum mechanics that H be Hermitian. The Hermiticity of H guarantees that the energy spectrum is real and that the time evolution is unitary (probability preserving). In this talk we investigate an alternative formulation of quantum mechanics in which the mathematical requirement of Hermiticity is replaced by the more physically transparent condition of space-time reflection (PT) symmetry. We show that if the PT symmetry of a Hamiltonian H is not broken, then the spectrum of H is real. Examples of PT-symmetric non-Hermitian Hamiltonians are H=p ²+ix ³ and H=p ²-x ⁴. The crucial question is whether PT-symmetric Hamiltonians specify physically acceptable quantum theories in which the norms of states are positive and the time evolution is unitary. The answer is that a Hamiltonian that has an unbroken PT symmetry also possesses a physical symmetry that we call C. Using C, we show how to construct an inner product whose associated norm is positive definite. The result is a new class of fully consistent complex quantum theories. Observables exhibit CPT symmetry, probabilities are positive, and the dynamics is governed by unitary time evolution.     

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.     

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.     

Hidden Conformal Symmetry of Extremal Linear Dilaton Black Hole in EMDA Theory

We study the hidden conformal symmetry of extremal linear Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton-axion black hole. After introduced a new set of conformal coordinates we find that if focusing on the near-horizon region, for the massless scalar scattering in the low-frequency limit, there exists hidden conformal symmetry on the solution space, and the real-time correlator is also agree with the conformal fields theory expectations.     

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     

Uniqueness of Diffeomorphism Invariant States on Holonomy–Flux Algebras

Loop quantum gravity is an approach to quantum gravity that starts from the Hamiltonian formulation in terms of a connection and its canonical conjugate. Quantization proceeds in the spirit of Dirac: First one defines an algebra of basic kinematical observables and represents it through operators on a suitable Hilbert space. In a second step, one implements the constraints. The main result of the paper concerns the representation theory of the kinematical algebra: We show that there is only one cyclic representation invariant under spatial diffeomorphisms.While this result is particularly important for loop quantum gravity, we are rather general: The precise definition of the abstract *-algebra of the basic kinematical observables we give could be used for any theory in which the configuration variable is a connection with a compact structure group. The variables are constructed from the holonomy map and from the fluxes of the momentum conjugate to the connection. The uniqueness result is relevant for any such theory invariant under spatial diffeomorphisms or being a part of a diffeomorphism invariant theory.     

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     

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.     

The Feigin-Fuchs Representation of the W4 Conformal Field Theory

By means of the operator product expansions, an explicit Feigin-Fuchs construction for the W₄ conformal filed theory is given.     

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.     

Restoration of Chiral Symmetry in Light-Front Finite-Temperature Field Theory

We investigate the properties of qq and states in hot and dense quark matter in the framework of light-front finite-temperature field theory. Presently we use the Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model of QCD and derive the gap equation at finite temperature and density. We study pionic and scalar diquark dynamics in quark matter and calculate the masses and the Mott dissociation as a function of the temperature T and the chemical potential μ. For the scalar diquark we determine the critical temperature of color superconductivity.     

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.     

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.