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W-symmetry
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) is ... [...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 obtain t ... [...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 obtain t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Degenerate Form
In mathematics, specifically linear algebra, a degenerate bilinear form on a vector space ''V'' is a bilinear form such that the map from ''V'' to ''V''∗ (the dual space of ''V'' ) given by is not an isomorphism. An equivalent definition when ''V'' is finite-dimensional is that it has a non-trivial kernel: there exist some non-zero ''x'' in ''V'' such that :f(x,y)=0\, for all \,y \in V. Nondegenerate forms A nondegenerate or nonsingular form is a bilinear form that is not degenerate, meaning that v \mapsto (x \mapsto f(x,v)) is an isomorphism, or equivalently in finite dimensions, if and only if :f(x,y)=0 for all y \in V implies that x = 0. The most important examples of nondegenerate forms are inner products and symplectic forms. Symmetric nondegenerate forms are important generalizations of inner products, in that often all that is required is that the map V \to V^* be an isomorphism, not positivity. For example, a manifold with an inner product structure on ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Killing Form
In mathematics, the Killing form, named after Wilhelm Killing, is a symmetric bilinear form that plays a basic role in the theories of Lie groups and Lie algebras. Cartan's criteria (criterion of solvability and criterion of semisimplicity) show that Killing form has a close relationship to the semisimplicity of the Lie algebras. History and name The Killing form was essentially introduced into Lie algebra theory by in his thesis. In a historical survey of Lie theory, has described how the term ''"Killing form"'' first occurred in 1951 during one of his own reports for the Séminaire Bourbaki; it arose as a misnomer, since the form had previously been used by Lie theorists, without a name attached. Some other authors now employ the term ''" Cartan-Killing form"''. At the end of the 19th century, Killing had noted that the coefficients of the characteristic equation of a regular semisimple element of a Lie algebra are invariant under the adjoint group, from which it follows tha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Homomorphism
In algebra, a homomorphism is a structure-preserving map between two algebraic structures of the same type (such as two groups, two rings, or two vector spaces). The word ''homomorphism'' comes from the Ancient Greek language: () meaning "same" and () meaning "form" or "shape". However, the word was apparently introduced to mathematics due to a (mis)translation of German meaning "similar" to meaning "same". The term "homomorphism" appeared as early as 1892, when it was attributed to the German mathematician Felix Klein (1849–1925). Homomorphisms of vector spaces are also called linear maps, and their study is the subject of linear algebra. The concept of homomorphism has been generalized, under the name of morphism, to many other structures that either do not have an underlying set, or are not algebraic. This generalization is the starting point of category theory. A homomorphism may also be an isomorphism, an endomorphism, an automorphism, etc. (see below). Each of th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Character (mathematics)
In mathematics, a character is (most commonly) a special kind of function from a group to a field (such as the complex numbers). There are at least two distinct, but overlapping meanings. Other uses of the word "character" are almost always qualified. Multiplicative character A multiplicative character (or linear character, or simply character) on a group ''G'' is a group homomorphism from ''G'' to the multiplicative group of a field , usually the field of complex numbers. If ''G'' is any group, then the set Ch(''G'') of these morphisms forms an abelian group under pointwise multiplication. This group is referred to as the character group of ''G''. Sometimes only ''unitary'' characters are considered (thus the image is in the unit circle); other such homomorphisms are then called ''quasi-characters''. Dirichlet characters can be seen as a special case of this definition. Multiplicative characters are linearly independent, i.e. if \chi_1,\chi_2, \ldots , \chi_n are different cha ... [...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] |
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 real or c ... [...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] |
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 L ... [...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] |
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] |
