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W-algebra
In conformal field theory and representation theory, a W-algebra is an associative algebra that generalizes the Virasoro algebra. W-algebras were introduced by Alexander Zamolodchikov, and the name "W-algebra" comes from the fact that Zamolodchikov used the letter W for one of the elements of one of his examples. Definition A W-algebra is an associative algebra that is generated by the modes of a finite number of meromorphic fields W^(z), including the energy-momentum tensor T(z)=W^(z). For h\neq 2, W^(z) is a primary field of conformal dimension h\in\frac12\mathbb^*. The generators (W^_n)_ of the algebra are related to the meromorphic fields by the mode expansions : W^(z) = \sum_ W^_n z^ The commutation relations of L_n=W^_n are given by the Virasoro algebra, which is parameterized by a central charge c\in \mathbb. This number is also called the central charge of the W-algebra. The commutation relations : _m, W^_n= ((h-1)m-n)W^_ are equivalent to the assumption that W^(z) i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Critical Three-state Potts Model
The three-state Potts CFT, also known as the \mathbb_3 parafermion CFT, is a conformal field theory in two dimensions. It is a Minimal model (physics), minimal model with central charge c=4/5 . It is considered to be the simplest minimal model with a non-diagonal partition function in Virasoro algebra, Virasoro characters, as well as the simplest non-trivial CFT with the W-algebra as a symmetry. Properties The critical three-state Potts model has a central charge of c = 4/5 , and thus belongs to the discrete family of unitary minimal models with central charge less than one. These conformal field theories are fully classified and for the most part well-understood. The modular partition function of the critical three-state Potts model is given by :: Z = , \chi_ + \chi_, ^2 + , \chi_ + \chi_, ^2 + 2, \chi_, ^2+2, \chi_, ^2 Here \chi_ (q) \equiv \textrm_ (q^) refers to the Virasoro character, found by taking the trace over the Verma module generated from the Virasoro primar ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Virasoro Algebra
In mathematics, the Virasoro algebra (named after the physicist Miguel Ángel Virasoro) is a complex Lie algebra and the unique central extension of the Witt algebra. It is widely used in two-dimensional conformal field theory and in string theory. Definition The Virasoro algebra is spanned by generators for and the central charge . These generators satisfy ,L_n0 and The factor of 1/12 is merely a matter of convention. For a derivation of the algebra as the unique central extension of the Witt algebra, see derivation of the Virasoro algebra. The Virasoro algebra has a presentation in terms of two generators (e.g. 3 and −2) and six relations. Representation theory Highest weight representations A highest weight representation of the Virasoro algebra is a representation generated by a primary state: a vector v such that : L_ v = 0, \quad L_0 v = hv, where the number is called the conformal dimension or conformal weight of v.P. Di Francesco, P. Mathieu, and D. S ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Two-dimensional Conformal Field Theory
A two-dimensional conformal field theory is a quantum field theory on a Euclidean two-dimensional space, that is invariant under local conformal transformations. In contrast to other types of conformal field theories, two-dimensional conformal field theories have infinite-dimensional symmetry algebras. In some cases, this allows them to be solved exactly, using the conformal bootstrap method. Notable two-dimensional conformal field theories include minimal models, Liouville theory, massless free bosonic theories, Wess–Zumino–Witten models, and certain sigma models. Basic structures Geometry Two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs) are defined on Riemann surfaces, where local conformal maps are holomorphic functions. While a CFT might conceivably exist only on a given Riemann surface, its existence on any surface other than the sphere implies its existence on all surfaces. Given a CFT, it is indeed possible to glue two Riemann surfaces where it exists, and obt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Two-dimensional Conformal Field Theory
A two-dimensional conformal field theory is a quantum field theory on a Euclidean two-dimensional space, that is invariant under local conformal transformations. In contrast to other types of conformal field theories, two-dimensional conformal field theories have infinite-dimensional symmetry algebras. In some cases, this allows them to be solved exactly, using the conformal bootstrap method. Notable two-dimensional conformal field theories include minimal models, Liouville theory, massless free bosonic theories, Wess–Zumino–Witten models, and certain sigma models. Basic structures Geometry Two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs) are defined on Riemann surfaces, where local conformal maps are holomorphic functions. While a CFT might conceivably exist only on a given Riemann surface, its existence on any surface other than the sphere implies its existence on all surfaces. Given a CFT, it is indeed possible to glue two Riemann surfaces where it exists, and obt ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Minimal Model (physics)
In theoretical physics, a minimal model or Virasoro minimal model is a two-dimensional conformal field theory whose spectrum is built from finitely many irreducible representations of the Virasoro algebra. Minimal models have been classified and solved, and found to obey an ADE classification. The term minimal model can also refer to a rational CFT based on an algebra that is larger than the Virasoro algebra, such as a W-algebra. Relevant representations of the Virasoro algebra Representations In minimal models, the central charge of the Virasoro algebra takes values of the type : c_ = 1 - 6 \ . where p, q are coprime integers such that p,q \geq 2. Then the conformal dimensions of degenerate representations are : h_ = \frac\ , \quad \text\ r,s\in\mathbb^*\ , and they obey the identities : h_ = h_ = h_\ . The spectrums of minimal models are made of irreducible, degenerate lowest-weight representations of the Virasoro algebra, whose conformal dimensions are of the type h_ with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Alexander Zamolodchikov
Alexander Borisovich Zamolodchikov (russian: Алекса́ндр Бори́сович Замоло́дчиков; born September 18, 1952) is a Russian physicist, known for his contributions to condensed matter physics, two-dimensional conformal field theory, and string theory, and is currently the C.N. Yang/Wei Deng Endowed Chair of Physics at Stony Brook University. Biography Born in Novo-Ivankovo, now part of Dubna, Zamolodchikov earned a M.Sc. in Nuclear Engineering (1975) from Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, a Ph.D. in Physics from the Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics (1978). He joined the research staff of Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics (1978) where he got an honorary doctorate (1983). He co-authored the famous BPZ paper "Infinite Conformal Symmetry in Two-Dimensional Quantum Field Theory", with Alexander Polyakov and Alexander Belavin. He joined Rutgers University (1990) where he co-founded Rutgers New High Energy Theory ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Liouville Theory
In physics, Liouville field theory (or simply Liouville theory) is a two-dimensional conformal field theory whose classical equation of motion is a generalization of Liouville's equation. Liouville theory is defined for all complex values of the central charge c of its Virasoro symmetry algebra, but it is unitary only if :c\in(1,+\infty), and its classical limit is : c\to +\infty. Although it is an interacting theory with a continuous spectrum, Liouville theory has been solved. In particular, its three-point function on the sphere has been determined analytically. Introduction Liouville theory describes the dynamics of a field \phi called the Liouville field, which is defined on a two-dimensional space. This field is not a free field due to the presence of an exponential potential : V(\phi) = e^\ , where the parameter b is called the coupling constant. In a free field theory, the energy eigenvectors e^ are linearly independent, and the momentum \alpha is conserved in inte ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Semisimple Lie Algebra
In mathematics, a Lie algebra is semisimple if it is a direct sum of simple Lie algebras. (A simple Lie algebra is a non-abelian Lie algebra without any non-zero proper ideals). Throughout the article, unless otherwise stated, a Lie algebra is a finite-dimensional Lie algebra over a field of characteristic 0. For such a Lie algebra \mathfrak g, if nonzero, the following conditions are equivalent: *\mathfrak g is semisimple; *the Killing form, κ(x,y) = tr(ad(''x'')ad(''y'')), is non-degenerate; *\mathfrak g has no non-zero abelian ideals; *\mathfrak g has no non-zero solvable ideals; * the radical (maximal solvable ideal) of \mathfrak g is zero. Significance The significance of semisimplicity comes firstly from the Levi decomposition, which states that every finite dimensional Lie algebra is the semidirect product of a solvable ideal (its radical) and a semisimple algebra. In particular, there is no nonzero Lie algebra that is both solvable and semisimple. Semisimple Lie ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jacobson-Morozov Theorem
In the theory of Lie algebras, an ''sl''2-triple is a triple of elements of a Lie algebra that satisfy the commutation relations between the standard generators of the special linear Lie algebra ''sl''2. This notion plays an important role in the theory of semisimple Lie algebras, especially in regard to their nilpotent orbits. Definition Elements of a Lie algebra ''g'' form an ''sl''2-triple if : ,e= 2e, \quad ,f= -2f, \quad ,f= h. These commutation relations are satisfied by the generators : h = \begin 1 & 0\\ 0 & -1 \end, \quad e = \begin 0 & 1\\ 0 & 0 \end, \quad f = \begin 0 & 0\\ 1 & 0 \end of the Lie algebra ''sl''2 of 2 by 2 matrices with zero trace. It follows that ''sl''2-triples in ''g'' are in a bijective correspondence with the Lie algebra homomorphisms from ''sl''2 into ''g''. The alternative notation for the elements of an ''sl''2-triple is , with ''H'' corresponding to ''h'', ''X'' corresponding to ''e'', and ''Y'' corresponding to ''f''. H is ca ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reductive Lie Algebra
In mathematics, a Lie algebra is reductive if its adjoint representation is completely reducible, whence the name. More concretely, a Lie algebra is reductive if it is a direct sum of a semisimple Lie algebra and an abelian Lie algebra: \mathfrak = \mathfrak \oplus \mathfrak; there are alternative characterizations, given below. Examples The most basic example is the Lie algebra \mathfrak_n of n \times n matrices with the commutator as Lie bracket, or more abstractly as the endomorphism algebra of an ''n''-dimensional vector space, \mathfrak(V). This is the Lie algebra of the general linear group GL(''n''), and is reductive as it decomposes as \mathfrak_n = \mathfrak_n \oplus \mathfrak, corresponding to traceless matrices and scalar matrices. Any semisimple Lie algebra or abelian Lie algebra is ''a fortiori'' reductive. Over the real numbers, compact Lie algebras are reductive. Definitions A Lie algebra \mathfrak over a field of characteristic 0 is called reductive if any ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Complex Numbers
In mathematics, a complex number is an element of a number system that extends the real numbers with a specific element denoted , called the imaginary unit and satisfying the equation i^= -1; every complex number can be expressed in the form a + bi, where and are real numbers. Because no real number satisfies the above equation, was called an imaginary number by René Descartes. For the complex number a+bi, is called the , and is called the . The set of complex numbers is denoted by either of the symbols \mathbb C or . Despite the historical nomenclature "imaginary", complex numbers are regarded in the mathematical sciences as just as "real" as the real numbers and are fundamental in many aspects of the scientific description of the natural world. Complex numbers allow solutions to all polynomial equations, even those that have no solutions in real numbers. More precisely, the fundamental theorem of algebra asserts that every non-constant polynomial equation with rea ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
