arXiv subjects

Ingo Runkel

Publications and source records attributed to Ingo Runkel.

103 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2004

Picard groups in rational conformal field theory

Algebra and representation theory in modular tensor categories can be combined with tools from topological field theory to obtain a deeper understanding of rational conformal field theories in two dimensions: It allows us to establish the existence of sets of consistent correlation functions, to demonstrate some of their properties in a model-independent manner, and to derive explicit expressions for OPE coefficients and coefficients of partition functions in terms of invariants of links in three-manifolds. We show that a Morita class of (symmetric special) Frobenius algebras $A$ in a modular tensor category $\calc$ encodes all data needed to describe the correlators. A Morita-invariant formulation is provided by module categories over $\calc$. Together with a bimodule-valued fiber functor, the system (tensor category + module category) can be described by a weak Hopf algebra. The Picard group of the category $\calc$ can be used to construct examples of symmetric special Frobenius algebras. The Picard group of the category of $A$-bimodules describes the internal symmetries of the theory and allows one to identify generalized Kramers-Wannier dualities.

math.CT↗

arXiv2004

Kramers-Wannier duality from conformal defects

We demonstrate that the fusion algebra of conformal defects of a two-dimensional conformal field theory contains information about the internal symmetries of the theory and allows one to read off generalisations of Kramers-Wannier duality. We illustrate the general mechanism in the examples of the Ising model and the three-states Potts model.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2004

Higher order loop equations for A_r and D_r quiver matrix models

We use free boson techniques to investigate A-D-E-quiver matrix models. Certain higher spin fields in the free boson formulation give rise to higher order loop equations valid at finite N. These fields form a special kind of W-algebra, called Casimir algebra. We compute explicitly the loop equations for A_r and D_r quiver models and check that at large N they are related to a deformation of the corresponding singular Calabi-Yau geometry.

hep-th↗

arXiv2004

TFT construction of RCFT correlators III: Simple currents

We use simple currents to construct symmetric special Frobenius algebras in modular tensor categories. We classify such simple current type algebras with the help of abelian group cohomology. We show that they lead to the modular invariant torus partition functions that have been studied by Kreuzer and Schellekens. We also classify boundary conditions in the associated conformal field theories and show that the boundary states are given by the formula proposed in hep-th/0007174. Finally, we investigate conformal defects in these theories.

hep-th↗

arXiv2003

TFT construction of RCFT correlators II: Unoriented world sheets

A full rational CFT, consistent on all orientable world sheets, can be constructed from the underlying chiral CFT, i.e. a vertex algebra, its representation category C, and the system of chiral blocks, once we select a symmetric special Frobenius algebra A in the category C [I]. Here we show that the construction of [I] can be extended to unoriented world sheets by specifying one additional datum: a reversion on A - an isomorphism from the opposed algebra of A to A that squares to the twist. A given full CFT on oriented surfaces can admit inequivalent reversions, which give rise to different amplitudes on unoriented surfaces, in particular to different Klein bottle amplitudes. We study the classification of reversions, work out the construction of the annulus, Moebius strip and Klein bottle partition functions, and discuss properties of defect lines on non-orientable world sheets. As an illustration, the Ising model is treated in detail.

hep-th↗

arXiv2003

Algebras in tensor categories and coset conformal field theories

The coset construction is the most important tool to construct rational conformal field theories with known chiral data. For some cosets at small level, so-called maverick cosets, the familiar analysis using selection and identification rules breaks down. Intriguingly, this phenomenon is linked to the existence of exceptional modular invariants. Recent progress in CFT, based on studying algebras in tensor categories, allows for a universal construction of the chiral data of coset theories which in particular also applies to maverick cosets.

hep-th↗

arXiv2003

Boundaries, defects and Frobenius algebras

The interpretation of D-branes in terms of open strings has lead to much interest in boundary conditions of two-dimensional conformal field theories (CFTs). These studies have deepened our understanding of CFT and allowed us to develop new computational tools. The construction of CFT correlators based on combining tools from topological field theory and non-commutative algebra in tensor categories, which we summarize in this contribution, allows e.g. to discuss, apart from boundary conditions, also defect lines and disorder fields.

hep-th↗

arXiv2003

Lie algebras, Fuchsian differential equations and CFT correlation functions

Affine Kac-Moody algebras give rise to interesting systems of differential equations, so-called Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equations. The monodromy properties of their solutions can be encoded in the structure of a modular tensor category on (a subcategory of) the representation category of the affine Lie algebra. We discuss the relation between these solutions and physical correlation functions in two-dimensional conformal field theory. In particular we report on a proof for the existence of the latter on world sheets of arbitrary topology.

hep-th↗

arXiv2002

TFT construction of RCFT correlators I: Partition functions

We formulate rational conformal field theory in terms of a symmetric special Frobenius algebra A and its representations. A is an algebra in the modular tensor category of Moore-Seiberg data of the underlying chiral CFT. The multiplication on A corresponds to the OPE of boundary fields for a single boundary condition. General boundary conditions are A-modules, and (generalised) defect lines are A-A-bimodules. The relation with three-dimensional TFT is used to express CFT data, like structure constants or torus and annulus coefficients, as invariants of links in three-manifolds. We compute explicitly the ordinary and twisted partition functions on the torus and the annulus partition functions. We prove that they satisfy consistency conditions, like modular invariance and NIM-rep properties. We suggest that our results can be interpreted in terms of non-commutative geometry over the modular tensor category of Moore-Seiberg data.

hep-th↗

arXiv2001

A reason for fusion rules to be even

We show that certain tensor product multiplicities in semisimple braided sovereign tensor categories must be even. The quantity governing this behavior is the Frobenius-Schur indicator. The result applies in particular to the representation categories of large classes of groups, Lie algebras, Hopf algebras and vertex algebras.

math.QA↗

arXiv2000

Structure constants for the D-series Virasoro minimal models

In this paper expressions are given for the bulk and boundary structure constants of D-series Virasoro minimal models on the upper half plane. It is the continuation of an earlier work on the A-series. The solution for the boundary theory is found first and then extended to the bulk. The modular invariant bulk field content is recovered as the maximal set of bulk fields consistent with the boundary theory. It is found that the structure constants are unique up to redefinition of the fields and in the chosen normalisation exhibit a manifest Z_2-symmetry associated to the D-diagram. The solution has been subjected to random numerical tests against the constraints it has to fulfill.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

g-function flow in perturbed boundary conformal field theories

The g-function was introduced by Affleck and Ludwig as a measure of the ground state degeneracy of a conformal boundary condition. We consider this function for perturbations of the conformal Yang-Lee model by bulk and boundary fields using conformal perturbation theory, the truncated conformal space approach and the thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz (TBA). We find that the TBA equations derived by LeClair et al describe the massless boundary flows, up to an overall constant, but are incorrect when one considers a simultaneous bulk perturbation; however the TBA equations do correctly give the `non-universal' linear term in the massive case, and the ratio of g-functions for different boundary conditions is also correctly produced. This ratio is related to the Y-system of the Yang-Lee model and by comparing the perturbative expansions of the Y-system and of the g-functions we obtain the exact relation between the UV and IR parameters of the massless perturbed boundary model.

hep-th↗

arXiv1999

Boundary structure constants for the A-series Virasoro minimal models

We consider A-series modular invariant Virasoro minimal models on the upper half plane. From Lewellen's sewing constraints a necessary form of the bulk and boundary structure constants is derived. Necessary means that any solution can be brought to the given form by rescaling of the fields. All constants are expressed essentially in terms of fusing (F-) matrix elements and the normalisations are chosen such that they are real and no square roots appear. It is not shown in this paper that the given structure constants solve the sewing constraints, however random numerical tests show no contradiction and agreement of the bulk structure constants with Dotsenko and Fateev. In order to facilitate numerical calculations a recursion relation for the F-matrices is given.

hep-th↗