Showing papers on "Logarithmic conformal field theory published in 1996"

Conformal Field Theory

Abstract: Filling an important gap in the literature, this comprehensive text develops conformal field theory from first principles. The treatment is self-contained, pedagogical, and exhaustive, and includes a great deal of background material on quantum field theory, statistical mechanics, Lie algebras and affine Lie algebras. The many exercises, with a wide spectrum of difficulty and subjects, complement and in many cases extend the text. The text is thus not only an excellent tool for classroom teaching but also for individual study. Intended primarily for graduate students and researchers in theoretical high-energy physics, mathematical physics, condensed matter theory, statistical physics, the book will also be of interest in other areas of theoretical physics and mathematics. It will prepare the reader for original research in this very active field of theoretical and mathematical physics.

On modular invariant partition functions of conformal field theories with logarithmic operators

Abstract: We extend the definitions of characters and partition functions to the case of conformal field theories which contain operators with logarithmic correlation functions. As an example we consider the theories with central charge c=cp,1=13−6(p+p−1), the “border” of the discrete minimal series. We show that there is a slightly generalized form of the property of rationality for such logarithmic theories. In particular, we obtain a classification of theories with c=cp,1 which is similar to the A-D-E classification of c=1 models.

On Reducible but Indecomposable Representations of the Virasoro Algebra

Abstract: Motivated by the necessity to include so-called logarithmic operators in conformal field theories (Gurarie, 1993) at values of the central charge belonging to the logarithmic series c_{1,p}=1-6(p-1)^2/p, reducible but indecomposable representations of the Virasoro algebra are investigated, where L_0 possesses a nontrivial Jordan decomposition. After studying `Jordan lowest weight modules', where L_0 acts as a Jordan block on the lowest weight space (we focus on the rank two case), we turn to the more general case of extensions of a lowest weight module by another one, where again L_0 cannot be diagonalized. The moduli space of such `staggered' modules is determined. Using the structure of the moduli space, very restrictive conditions on submodules of `Jordan Verma modules' (the generalization of the usual Verma modules) are derived. Furthermore, for any given lowest weight of a Jordan Verma module its `maximal preserving submodule' (the maximal submodule, such that the quotient module still is a Jordan lowest weight module) is determined. Finally, the representations of the W-algebra W(2,3^3) at central charge c=-2 are investigated yielding a rational logarithmic model.

A Logarithmic Conformal Field Theory Solution For Two Dimensional Magnetohydrodynamics In Presence of The Alf'ven Effect

Abstract: When Alf`ven effect is peresent in magnetohydrodynamics one is naturally lead to consider conformal field theories, which have logarithmic terms in their correlation functions. We discuss the implications of such logarithmic terms and find a unique conformal field theory with centeral charge $c=-\frac{209}{7}$, within the border of the minimal series, which satisfies all the constraints. The energy espectrum is found to be ewline $E(k)\sim k^{-\frac{13}{7}} \log{k}$.

Logarithmic Correlation Functions in Two Dimensional Turbulence

Abstract: We consider the correlation functions of two-dimensional turbulence in the presence and absence of a three-dimensional perturbation, by means of conformal field theory. In the persence of three dimensional perturbation, we show that in the strong coupling limit of a small scale random force, there is some logarithmic factor in the correlation functions of velocity stream functions. We show that the logarithmic conformal field theory $c_{8,1}$ describes the 2D- turbulence both in the absence and the presence of the perturbation. We obtain the following energy spectrum $E(k) \sim k^{-5.125 } \ln(k )$ for perturbed 2D - turbulence and $E(k) \sim k^{-5 } \ln(k )$ for unperturbed turbulence. Recent numerical simulation and experimental results confirm our prediction.

The Logarithmic Conformal Field Theories

Abstract: We study the correlation functions of logarithmic conformal field theories. First, assuming conformal invariance, we explicitly calculate two-- and three-- point functions. This calculation is done for the general case of more than one logarithmic field in a block, and more than one set of logarithmic fields. Then we show that one can regard the logarithmic field as a formal derivative of the ordinary field with respect to its conformal weight. This enables one to calculate any $n$-- point function containing the logarithmic field in terms of ordinary $n$--point functions. At last, we calculate the operator product expansion (OPE) coefficients of a logarithmic conformal field theory, and show that these can be obtained from the corresponding coefficients of ordinary conformal theory by a simple derivation.