Questions tagged [conformal-field-theory]
The conformal-field-theory tag has no usage guidance.
134
questions
4
votes
0answers
87 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\...
5
votes
1answer
183 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 $...
22
votes
4answers
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 ...
3
votes
0answers
38 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). ...
3
votes
0answers
83 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{...
3
votes
1answer
93 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'(...
3
votes
0answers
120 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 ...
6
votes
0answers
182 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
108 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 ...
3
votes
0answers
108 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
100 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 $\...
8
votes
0answers
317 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
140 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
99 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 ...
4
votes
0answers
153 views
What is the value of the partition function of CFT on a compact conformal manifold?
Is the value of the partition function of a 2d CFT on a compact conformal manifold well defined? Or is there some kind of "anomaly" that makes it dependent on a bulk or some other kind of further ...
2
votes
0answers
89 views
Monoidal category of irreducible highest weight modules of the Virasoro algebra
I'm trying to see if I can construct a monoidal category $\mathbf{C}$ whose objects are the irreducible unitary highest weight representations of the Virasoro algebra.
I am thinking on doing the ...
6
votes
1answer
713 views
The use of Schur's lemma for Lie algebras in physics (CFT)
Anytime a one-dimensional central extension appears in the physics literature, immediately they assume that in any irreducible representation the central charge will be a multiple of the identity, ...
2
votes
1answer
705 views
Holomorphic maps from upper half plane to itself (or equivalently Poincare disc to itself)
Suppose I parametrize complex plane by coordinates,$$z = x+i y,\ \bar z=x-i y$$
then the upper half plane, $\mathbb H_+$ is given by $y>0$. I am looking for chiral coordinate transformations, $f(z)$...
3
votes
1answer
130 views
GKO (or coset) construction - all possible highest weights $h$
I am reading the famous paper "Unitary Representations of the Virasoro and Super-Virasoro Algebras" by Goddard, Kent, Olive.
From a compact simple Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ and a Lie subalgebra $\...
6
votes
0answers
180 views
Orthogonality relations for characters of VOAs?
If $G$ is a finite group, the characters of its irreps satisfy
$$
\langle \chi_1,\chi_2\rangle := \frac{1}{|G|}\sum_{g\in G} \chi_1(g)\; \overline{\chi_2(g)} = \delta_{\chi_1,\chi_2}.
$$
Alexei ...
4
votes
0answers
105 views
Conformal group and cobordism
In this post, I am exploring my thoughts on the implementation of conformal symmetry group structure and cobordism relations.
Namely, I like to know what has been done and explored in the past?
on ...
4
votes
0answers
135 views
3d Chern-Simons TQFT of gauge group (E8)$_1$ = SO(16)$_1 \otimes$ a trivial spin TQFT = Cartan E$_8$ matrix
In this post, we like to relate the following 3 bosonic TQFTs that can be defined on generic non-spin manifold $M^3$.
Given a non-abelian Chern-Simons (CS) TQFT of a gauge group $G$ and the $k$ named ...
6
votes
1answer
244 views
$T\bar{T}$ deformation: Stress-energy momentum tensor deformed in CFT and in QFT for various $d$-dimensions
The $T\bar{T}$ deformation is based on the original work of Zamolochikov [1] explored deformations of two-dimensional conformal field
theories (CFT) by an operator that is quadratic in the stress-...
5
votes
1answer
216 views
Classification of quasi-lisse vertex algebras
Quasi-lisse vertex algebras were introduced by Arakawa and Kawasetsu in Quasi-lisse vertex algebras and modular linear differential equations . They satisfy the property that the normalized character ...
5
votes
1answer
181 views
Are extensions of regular vertex operator algebras also regular?
Let $U$ be a simple VOA which is self-dual and of CFT type (i.e., $U\simeq U'$, and $U$ has grading $U=\bigoplus_{n\in\mathbb N}U(n)$ with $U(0)$ spanned by the vacuum vector $\Omega$). Let $V$ be a ...
6
votes
2answers
355 views
Simple current extensions in VOA theory and CFTs
I apologize in advance if this is too broad and off-topic here. I have seen some papers in the field of vertex operator algebras (VOA) theory about simple current extensions. As far as I understand ...
11
votes
0answers
157 views
Geometry of Affine Kac-Moody Algebras
I recently asked this question on phys.SE and it was suggested to me to ask it here.
One can reconstruct the unitary irreducible representations of compact Lie groups very beautifully in geometric ...
5
votes
0answers
85 views
GSO projection and $H^d(M, \mathbb{Z}_2)$
This follows up the comment which suggests that asking the later 2nd part of subquestion in "GSO (Gliozzi-Scherk-Olive) projection and its Mathematics" as a new different question
GSO (...
5
votes
1answer
195 views
Nonlinear sigma models with non-compact groups / target spaces
A nonlinear σ model (NLSM) describes a scalar field Σ which takes on values in a nonlinear manifold called the target manifold T.
The target manifold T is equipped with a Riemannian metric g. Σ is ...
7
votes
1answer
368 views
Vector bundle structure of conformal block bundle
My question is about the conformal block bundle, which (following Kohno's "Conformal Field Theory and Topology") is constructed as follows:
Consider the projection map onto the first $n$ coordinates
\...
17
votes
2answers
759 views
What are some mathematical consequences of the study of 6D $\mathcal N = (2,0)$ SCFT?
Arguments made in physics apparently predict the existence of a family of six-dimensional $\mathcal N = (2,0)$
superconformal field theories (Wikipedia, nLab, PhysicsOverflow) sometimes called Theory $...
24
votes
1answer
562 views
Has the $E_8$-based generating function for squares numbers been proven?
In his 2004 paper Conformal Field Theory and Torsion Elements of the Bloch Group, Nahm explains a physical argument due to Kadem, Klassen, McCoy, and Melzer for the following remarkable identity. Let $...
11
votes
3answers
506 views
Is there a discrete lattice analogue of conformal transformations?
There is a simple discrete combinatorial analogue of manifolds and homeomorphisms: Replace manifolds by simplicial complexes and homeomorphisms by Pachner moves. Equivalence classes of manifolds under ...
5
votes
0answers
104 views
Modular $S$-matrix for an extended affine Lie algebra
This is a refinement of this old question of mine. In order to find an answer, I've been working my way through q-alg/9511026, which contains all the information I need.
In this paper, the authors ...
2
votes
0answers
106 views
Modular transformation of affine characters of non-simply connected groups$.$
Consider an (untwisted) affine algebra corresponding to a compact and simply-connected Lie group $G$. Under a modular transformation, its characters transform as (cf. 9612078)
$$
\chi_\mu\to\sum_{\nu\...
12
votes
1answer
405 views
Compactification of 6d (2, 0) SCFT on 4-manifolds
This question is about the 6d (2, 0) superconformal field theory (also called 'theory X' by some people). This SCFT, which can be considered as a relative quantum field theory (see here for a ...
11
votes
1answer
329 views
Linear independence of genus-one correlation functions
Let $V$ be a vertex operator algebra with all the good finiteness properties that people usually assume (positively graded, $C_2$-cofinite, $V\cong V'$, etc.)
Let $W$ be a module for $V$, not ...
5
votes
0answers
334 views
Reference Request: Vertex Algebras
I am currently a graduate student in mathematics with an interest in vertex algebras. I am comfortable with the algebraic aspects and would like to learn more about the geometric aspects. The issue is ...
10
votes
1answer
196 views
Is the “Ramond sector” invariant of a 3-framed lattice always divisible by 24?
For the purposes of this question, a rank-$r$ (integral) lattice is a full-rank discrete subgroup $L \subset \mathbb R^r$ such that $\langle \ell, \ell' \rangle \in \mathbb Z$ for all $\ell \in L$. It ...
4
votes
0answers
90 views
Moduli spaces for the TCFT map $HH(L) \to GW(X)$
Let $L$ be a Lagrangian submanifold of a closed symplectic manifold $X$. What I gather from Costello (see specifically $\S$2.5 there), is that one expects to have a morphism of closed TCFT's
$\tag{1}...
5
votes
0answers
76 views
Conformal Dimension and Highest Weight States of Coset CFT
I am trying to understand the vertex operator algebras of the following form:
$$\frac{U(M|N)_{k_1}}{U(L)_{k_2}}$$
Where $U(M|N)$ is the unitary supergroup, $U(L)$ is the usual unitary group, and $...
9
votes
2answers
293 views
Annihilation operators in a vertex algebra
Let $V=\bigoplus_{d\in\mathbb N}V(d)$ be a Möbius-covariant vertex algebra with $V(0)=\mathbb C$.
Recall that a vector $v\in V$ is called quasi-primary if $L_1v=0$.
For $v\in V(d)$, we write $Y(...
4
votes
0answers
67 views
Section of the spinor bundle over $S^{1}$ that extend to sections of the spinor bundle over $D^{2}$
Let $\mathbb{S} \rightarrow S^{1}$ be the spinor bundle associated to the connected double cover $\text{Spin}(S^{1}) \rightarrow S^{1}$. Let $\mathbb{D} \rightarrow D^{2}$ be the spinor bundle ...
2
votes
1answer
110 views
Two definitions of conformal inclusion
Assume that $V$ is a vertex operator algebra, and the VOA $V'$ is a vertex subalgebra of $V$. The notion that $V'\subset V$ is a conformal inclusion has different meanings in different literatures. ...
2
votes
1answer
83 views
Limits of a quasiperiodic function with two pseudoperiods
Let $\beta$ be a real number such that $\beta^2\notin\mathbb{Q}$. For any smooth function $f$ on $\mathbb{R}$ that decreases sufficiently at infinity, for example a Gaussian function, let us define
$$
...
22
votes
1answer
751 views
71, the Monster, and c = 24 CFTs
The largest prime in the order of the Monster group is $71$. This number $71$ shows up at various places:
The minimal faithful representation has dimension $196883 = 47.59.71$
The Monster group can ...
7
votes
2answers
431 views
What is the strongest known RSW result in planar percolation?
One of the weakest estimates conjectured to hold for critical planar percolation models (and proved in many cases) is the so-called RSW estimate. RSW estimate is the statement that the probability of ...
3
votes
0answers
92 views
Does von Neumann density imply strong additivity of a conformal net?
Let $\mathcal A$ be a conformal net, and let $\mathcal J$ be the set of all proper open sub-intervals of $S^1$.
We say that $\mathcal A$ satisfies von Neumann density, if for any representation $\pi$...
9
votes
0answers
416 views
Mysterious relationship between central charges of conformal field theories and the Beraha numbers
Background:
Conformal field theories (CFTs) in two dimensions are partially characterized by a so-called central charge (characterizing the central extension of the Virasoro algebra which defines it)....
33
votes
7answers
4k views
Why is conformal invariance only possible for massless theories?
I'm conscious that this isn't necessarily a research level question, but I've asked this question on mathstackexchange, and received no answer. So I'm trying it here.
A usual mantra in field theories ...
