Logarithmic correlation functions for critical dense polymers on the cylinder

Abstract

We compute lattice correlation functions for the model of critical dense polymers on a semi-infinite cylinder of perimeter $n$. In the lattice loop model, contractible loops have a vanishing fugacity whereas non-contractible loops have a fugacity $α\in(0,\infty)$. These correlators are defined as ratios $Z(x)/Z_0$ of partition functions, where $Z_0$ is a reference partition function wherein only simple arcs are attached to the boundary of the cylinder. For $Z(x)$, the boundary is also decorated with simple arcs, but it also has two positions $1$ and $x$ where the boundary condition is different. We investigate two such kinds of boundary conditions: (i) there is a single node at each of these points where a long arc is attached, and (ii) there are pairs of adjacent nodes at these points where two long arcs are attached. We find explicit expressions for these correlators for finite $n$ using the representation of the enlarged periodic Temperley-Lieb algebra in the XX spin chain. The resulting asymptotics as $n\to\infty$ are expressed as simple integrals that depend on the parameter $τ=\frac{x-1}n\in(0,1)$. For small $τ$, the leading behaviours are proportional to $τ^{1/4}$, $τ^{1/4}\log τ$, $\logτ$ and $\log^2τ$. We interpret the lattice results in terms of ratios of conformal correlation functions. We assume that the corresponding boundary changing fields are highest weight states in irreducible, Kac or staggered Virasoro modules, with central charge $c=-2$ and conformal dimensions $Δ= -\frac18$ or $Δ=0$. We obtain differential equations satisfied by the conformal correlators, solve these equations, and find a perfect agreement with the lattice results. We compute structure constants and ratios thereof which appear in the operator product expansions of the boundary condition changing fields. The fusion of these fields is found to be non-abelian.