Questions tagged [conformal-field-theory]

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Knot invariants in WZW CFT via Holographic Principle

In the physics literature the Holographic Principle relates theories in the bulk and the theories in the asymptotic boundary. While the bulk theory is the 3D Chern-Simons theory, the corresponding ...
Student's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
400 views

WZW primary correlations in terms of current algebra?

Given the $\mathfrak{u}(N)$ algebra with generators $L^a$ and commutation relations $ [L^a,L^b] = \sum_c f^{a,b}_{c} L^c $ , the WZW currents of $U(N)_k$ $$ J(z) = \sum_{n \in \mathbb{Z}} J^a_n z^{-n-...
Joe's user avatar
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4 votes
0 answers
118 views

Tensor product - Vertex / Chiral algebras

Two questions regarding tensor product of modules over vertex / chiral algebras: First question: For (rational?) vertex operator algebras there is a notion of fusion product of modules inducing a ...
E. KOW's user avatar
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156 views

Properties of the stress energy tensor in Wightman formulation of CFT

In various papers that I have been reading about applying the Wightman axioms to conformal field theory, the authors write things like the following about the stress-energy tensor: $$\int \mathrm{d}x^...
Connor Mooney's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
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BRST construction of coset VOAs

Most recent papers define cosets of $V_k(g)$ by $V_k(h)$, where $h\subset g$ - some affine (super-)Lie algebras, as a cohomology of a complex $$V_k(g)\otimes V_{-k}(h)\otimes ghosts$$ but I'm failing ...
Nikita Grygoryev's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
37 views

Splitting of the conformal group into $PSL(2,\mathbb{R})$ and other factorizations

In 1+1 dimensions of Minkowski spacetime, the conformal group can be split into two copies of $PSL(2,\mathbb{R})$ acting on null lines. I'm curious to know if a similar split exists for the conformal ...
Gabriel Palau's user avatar
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0 answers
84 views

Some version of non-commutative Wick formula

Let $V$ be a vertex algebra. The traditional non-commutative Wick formula is a tool to calculate term like $[a_\lambda:bc:]$. However, I need to calculate terms of the form $[:ab:_\lambda c]$. I found ...
Estwald's user avatar
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1 answer
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Difference between two definitions of affine Lie algebras

Let $\mathfrak{g}$ be a finite-dimensional simple Lie algebra over $\mathbb{C}$, we have the notion of affinization of $\mathfrak{g}$, which is the central extension of the corresponding loop algebra. ...
Estwald's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
279 views

Segal's axioms for CFT

In Segal's papers about Conformal Field theory, https://www2.math.upenn.edu/~blockj/scfts/segal.pdf, in section $1$, he describes the evolution of a system (a string moving about in a manifold $M$) by ...
Guillermo García Sáez's user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
373 views

What is the meaning of chiral in the context of vertex algebras?

There are many objects in mathematics that have the term "chiral" in their name, for instance, chiral algebra by Beilinson and Drinfeld, chiral de Rham complex, chiral Koszul duality etc. ...
Estwald's user avatar
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Summing over roots of a simple Lie algebra and Deligne series

For a simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ we can define a Killing form $K(X,Y) \equiv \frac{1}{2 h^\vee}\operatorname{tr}(\mathfrak{ad}_X \mathfrak{ad}_Y)$, where $\mathfrak{ad}_X Y \equiv [X, Y]$ as ...
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DHR superselection and DR reconstruction in low spacetime dimensions

Given a completely rational net on $\mathbb{R}$, the Doplicher-Haag-Roberts (DHR) category is a modular fusion category (MFC) identical to that associated with the corresponding vertex operator ...
Ying's user avatar
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0 answers
85 views

Singular vectors/null states in algebra $\mathfrak{su}(2)_{-4/3}$

I encounter recently admissible affine Lie algebras when visiting some physics problems. I am reading Adamovic's A construction of admissible $A_1^{(1)}$-modules of level $−4/3$. In section 3, it is ...
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Relation between projective representation and the representation of the universal cover of a Lie Group

I am reading this paper, in what says exactly: "Weare dealing with a ray representation os the conformal group AND THEREFORE with a representation of the universal covering group of the conformal ...
Gabriel Palau's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
202 views

Equation about Jacobi Theta Functions

Reading some Conformal Field Theory, I came across the following equation about the Jacobi Theta functions without any justification: Let $$\theta_{2}(q)=\sum_{n \in \mathbb{Z}}q^{(n+\frac{1}{2})^{2}}$...
Mathix's user avatar
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CFT as an axiomatic field theory

I'm trying to understand CFT from a purely axiomatic-field-theoretical perspective. That is, there is a vector space $V$ associated to the circle, and an element of $V^{\otimes n}$ associated to every ...
Andi Bauer's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
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Hecke operators for modular form with respect to $\Gamma_{\theta}(2)$ subgroup

The congruence subgroup $\Gamma_{\theta}(2)$ is defined as: $$\Gamma_{\theta}(2)=\left\{\gamma\in SL(2,\mathbb{Z})|\gamma\equiv\left(\begin{array}{cc}1 & 0\\ 0 & 1\end{array}\right) \...
liouville's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
262 views

The role of estimates in field theories

I have been taking a look at some papers in constructive quantum field theory and I got the impression that there is a systematic of estimating things like e.g the effective action or the free energy ...
MathMath's user avatar
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Arithmetic analogues in Liouville quantum gravity

I recently discovered about Minhyong Kim's work on what can be coined "Arithmetic Gauge Theory/Arithmetic Chern Simmons Theory". Since Liouville quantum gravity is fully understood, I was ...
proofromthebook's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
204 views

Vertex operator algebras and modular tensor categories

Let $\mathcal{V}$ be a vertex operator algebra (VOA), and let $\mathcal{C}=Rep(\mathcal{V})$ be the tensor category of (ususal) $\mathcal{V}$-modules. It is a well-known open-problem whether every ...
Sebastien Palcoux's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
199 views

Representations of minimal model primary fields in the Coulomb-gas Formalism

This question is in some sense a follow-up to [1]: is it known how to construct the primary field operators of the unitary minimal models $\mathcal{M}(m+1,m)$ in the Coulomb gas formalism? (This would ...
Ethan Sussman's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
183 views

Conformal groupoid

I asked this over on Math.SE but it remained completely silent for over a week so I've deleted it and am reposting it here (I'm not really sure which site it fits better). The question itself is ...
J_P's user avatar
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7 votes
3 answers
744 views

Elegant proofs of $\bar{\partial}z^{-1} = 2\pi \delta_0$

For a function $f(x,y)$ on $\mathbb{R}^2,$ defined possibly outside the origin, write $$\int_\epsilon ' f \,dx\,dy : = \int_{\mathbb{R}^2\setminus D_\epsilon}f \, dx\,dy,$$ (the integral on the ...
Dmitry Vaintrob's user avatar
3 votes
0 answers
39 views

Number of solutions of an infinite linear system

Let $F_1(z), F_2(z), F_3(z), \cdots$ be an infinite sequence of functions of a continuous variable $z\in \Omega$ with $\Omega$ an open subset of $\mathbb{C}$. The functions $F_n(z)$ are holomorphic on ...
Sylvain Ribault's user avatar
2 votes
0 answers
159 views

Why do quantum observables form an associative algebra in some contexts?

In elementary quantum mechanics, we learn that quantum observables are self-adjoint operators that act on the Hilbert space of states. However, in more advanced context, we talk of local operators, ...
WJL's user avatar
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5 votes
0 answers
166 views

Hypergeometric embedding of conformal blocks into twisted cohomology of configurations

In brief terms, the identification of $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ lowering operators "$f$" applied "in a conformal block" at the $i$th puncture $z_i$ in the Riemann sphere with the "...
Urs Schreiber's user avatar
16 votes
1 answer
731 views

From a physicist: How do I show certain superelliptic curves are also hyperelliptic?

As the title suggests, I am a physicist and have a question about how to show certain superelliptic curves are also hyperelliptic. The superelliptic Riemann surfaces in question has the form $$w^n = \...
Kestrel's user avatar
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0 answers
159 views

What are the generators and relations of the conformal cobordism category?

According to a definition by Segal, a $2$-dimensional CFT is a symmetric monoidal functor from the category of oriented conformal cobordisms to the cateogry of projective complex vectorspaces. Coming ...
Andi Bauer's user avatar
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11 votes
2 answers
784 views

Reference on the Chern-Simons theory and WZW models for mathematicians

I would like to ask if there are any beginner friendly references for learning CS theory and WZW models. It seems that most mathematical texts on the subjects begin with convenient definitions that ...
WJL's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
120 views

Is the timelike free boson CFT a valid CFT as per Segal's functorial CFT prescription?

Is the timelike free boson CFT a valid CFT as per Segal's functorial CFT prescription? I am aware that the Euclidean free boson theory is a well-defined CFT, but I was wondering whether one might run ...
riemanntensor's user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
486 views

Wightman QFTs corresponding to minimal models

Is it known (rigorously) whether or not there exist (1+1)D Wightman QFTs which can (in some reasonable sense) be said to correspond to physicists' unitary minimal models $\mathcal{M}(m+1,m)$, $m\in\...
Ethan Sussman's user avatar
28 votes
2 answers
4k views

How do we give mathematical meaning to 'physical dimensions'?

In so-called 'natural unit', it is said that physical quantities are measured in the dimension of 'mass'. For example, $\text{[length]=[mass]}^{-1}$ and so on. In quantum field theory, the dimension ...
Isaac's user avatar
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4 votes
0 answers
111 views

The semiclassical limit of Virasoro reps $\varphi_{n,1}$ produces certain $\mathfrak{sl}_2$ reps — what is the connection to KdV?

The semiclassical ("light") limit $c\to \infty$ of the irreducible Virasoro representation $\varphi_{n,1}$ with highest weight $h_{n,1}\to -\frac{n-1}{2}$ is $\mathbb{C}[L_{-1},L_{-2},\dotsc]...
Simon Lentner's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
316 views

Modular S-matrix of (p,q) minimal model

What is the expression for the modular S-matrix of (p,q) minimal model? The Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimal_model_(physics) does not provide S-matrix
Xiao-Gang Wen's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
173 views

Tensor representations of the quantum algebra $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}(2))$ at the roots of unity

I'm trying to understand how the representation theory of $U_q(\mathfrak{sl}(2))$ works and I had a look to some books and lecture notes available on the internet. The case of $q^m\neq1$ is discussed ...
pomello gaudente's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
1k views

What is a simplified intuitive explanation of conformal invariance? [closed]

Can the concept of conformal map and conformal Invariance be explained in very general terms, preferably in high school/undergrad-level Mathematics? Abstracting away from the applications in physics (...
Sohail Si's user avatar
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4 votes
0 answers
231 views

Computing theta functions of lattices in practice

I am motivated by a problem in 2d CFT to compute "generalized theta functions," expressions of the form \begin{equation} \vartheta_{L,u}(\tau) := \sum_{\alpha \in L} u(\alpha) q^{{\langle\...
Justin Kulp's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
411 views

Uses for (Framed) E2 algebras twisted by braided monoidal structure

$\newcommand{\C}{\mathcal{C}}$ $\newcommand{\g}{\mathfrak{g}}$ If $\C$ is a monoidal category (not necessarily a symmetric monoidal category), it's possible to define the notion of an algebra object $...
Dmitry Vaintrob's user avatar
21 votes
4 answers
2k views

Mathematical predictions of AdS/CFT

What sorts of mathematical statements are predicted by the AdS/CFT correspondence? My "understanding" (term used very loosely) is that this correspondence isn't a mathematically rigorous ...
Oli Gregory's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
71 views

Reference for NIM-rep theory for non-commutative fusion rings?

The literature on nonnegative integer matrix representations (NIM-reps) seems to be focused on commutative fusion rings, since a primary motivation there is for rational conformal field theory (RCFT). ...
Ying's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
131 views

$e^{2\pi ic_{-}/8}$ and $e^{2\pi ic_{-}/24}$ in unitary modular category (UMC)

Background Unitary modular categories (UMC) do not capture the central charge $c_{-}$ of the topological quantum field theory (TQFT). However, there is a relation that fixes, $c_{-}\bmod 8$: \begin{...
wonderich's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
215 views

Intuition behind contragredient module of a VOA

Let $(V,Y)$ be a vertex operator algebra, and $V'$ be the graded dual of its underlying vector space. The contragredient module structure on $V'$ is given by $Y'$ defined by the formula: $$\langle Y'(...
JeCl's user avatar
  • 901
4 votes
0 answers
298 views

Intuition for conformal nets

I was planning on reading the work of Arthur Bartels, Christopher L. Douglas and André Henriques on the 3-category of conformal nets as discussed in these papers: Coordinate-free nets, Conformal ...
Chetan Vuppulury's user avatar
6 votes
0 answers
294 views

Tsuchiya-Ueno-Yamada's proof that sheaves of conformal blocks are locally free

I'm referring to Tsuchiya-Ueno-Yamada's (TUY hereafter) celebrated paper Conformal Field Theory on Universal Family of Stable Curves with Gauge Symmetries. One of the main goals of their paper is to ...
Bin Gui's user avatar
  • 555
3 votes
1 answer
202 views

Zhu's $V/C_2(V)$ algebra

As an example, take the Virasoro algebra, i.e. $V$ is spanned by elements of the form $L_{-2}^{k_1} \cdots L_{-n}^{k_{n-1}} \Omega$ where $\Omega$ is the vacuum and $n \geq 2$. As I understand, we ...
JamalS's user avatar
  • 201
3 votes
0 answers
136 views

Twisted screening operators and twisted free-field realizations of $\mathcal{W}_n$ algebras

Let $\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{sl}_{n+1}$ and I am interested in the principal $\mathcal{W}$-algebra of $\mathcal{g}$ at self-dual level i.e. $k=- h ^{\vee} +1$, usually denoted by $\mathcal{W}_n$. Now ...
user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
134 views

coset of affine Lie algebra

In many books about conformal field theory, when we talk about a coset $\mathfrak{g}_k/\mathfrak{h}_{k'}$, we would talk about how the modules of $\mathfrak{g}_k$ are decomposed into those of $\...
Lelouch's user avatar
  • 857
8 votes
0 answers
330 views

Differential version of $G\mapsto H^3(G,\mathbb Z)$?

Let $\mathit{cLieGrp}^{\mathrm{inj}}$ be the category of compact connected Lie groups, and injective continuous group homomorphisms. Is there a reasonable functor (some kind of degree $3$ differential ...
André Henriques's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
181 views

Vertex operator algebras and isomorphism of graded vector spaces

I have two vertex operator algebras and I would like to show that as graded vector spaces, they are isomorphic, rather than as algebras. The issue is I have not found anything in the literature that ...
JamalS's user avatar
  • 201
3 votes
1 answer
168 views

Non-stationary Lamé equation and WZW/Virasoro conformal blocks

The non-stationary Lamé equation $\left(2i \pi \kappa \partial_\tau -\partial_x^2+g(g-1)\wp(x)\right)\psi(x,\tau)=E \psi(x,\tau)$ appears as a BPZ type equation (for the 2 points Virasoro conformal ...
user114864's user avatar