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Jesper Lykke Jacobsen

Publications and source records attributed to Jesper Lykke Jacobsen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

Reflecting boundary conditions in critical loop models

In critical loop models, we call a boundary sticky if loops can attach to it, and reflecting otherwise. Using analytic bootstrap methods, we show that reflecting boundaries are characterised by one complex parameter, analogous to the boundary cosmological constant in Liouville theory. We determine disc 1-point functions, and write an explicit formula for disc 2-point functions as infinite combinations of conformal blocks. We also sketch the lattice interpretation of reflecting boundaries.

hep-th↗
arXiv2026

Making complex CFTs real: The two-dimensional Potts model for $Q>4$ and complex $Q$

The two-dimensional $Q$-state Potts model with real couplings has a first-order transition for $Q>4$. Starting from a triangular-lattice Potts model with two- and three-spin interactions, we study an equivalent loop model in which $Q$ is a continuous parameter. By a combination of analytical and numerical arguments, we show that this loop model allows for the collision of a critical and a tricritical fixed point at $Q=4$. These then emerge as a pair of complex conformally invariant theories at $Q>4$, or even complex $Q$, for suitable complex coupling constants. We conjecture that all conformal data (such as the central charge, critical exponents, and three-point structure constants) can be obtained by analytic continuation of known exact results for the loop model with $Q \le 4$. This conjecture is checked, both for real $Q>4$ and for $Q \in \mathbb{C}$, by extensive transfer-matrix computations and comparison to previous studies for $Q=5$.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2026

Torus one-point functions in critical loop models

We show that in critical loop models, torus 1-point functions can be expressed in terms of sphere 4-point functions at a different central charge. Unlike in the Moore--Seiberg formalism, crossing symmetry on the sphere therefore implies modular covariance on the torus. We systematically compute torus 1-point functions in critical loop models, using a numerical bootstrap approach. We focus on the 1-point functions of the 6 simplest primary fields, which give rise to 10 solutions of modular covariance equations. Such 1-point functions are infinite linear combinations of conformal blocks. The coefficients are products of double Gamma functions, times polynomial functions of loop weights. For each solution, we determine the first 6 to 12 polynomials.

math-ph↗
arXiv2026

Exact solution of three-point functions in critical loop models

We propose an exact formula for three-point functions on the sphere in critical loop models with primary fields $V_{(r,s)}$ characterized by $2r$ legs and a parameter \(s\) that describes diagonal fields for $r=0$ and the momentum of legs for $r>0$. We demonstrate its validity in three ways: the conformal bootstrap method for 4-point functions, a transfer-matrix study of the lattice model, and a probabilistic method based on conformal loop ensemble and Liouville quantum gravity. This work provides a crucial missing piece for solving critical loop models and reveals a deep unity between three fundamental approaches to 2D statistical physics: transfer matrix, conformal field theory, and probability theory.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2026

Three-point functions in critical loop models

In two-dimensional models of critical non-intersecting loops, there are $\ell$-leg fields that insert $\ell\in\mathbb{N}^*$ open loop segments, and diagonal fields that change the weights of closed loops. We conjecture an exact formula for 3-point functions of such fields on the sphere. In the cases of diagonal or spinless 2-leg fields, the conjecture agrees with known results from Conformal Loop Ensembles. We numerically compute 3-point functions in loop models on cylindrical lattices, using transfer matrix techniques. The results agree with the conjecture in almost all cases. We attribute the few discrepancies to difficulties that can arise in our lattice computation when the relevant modules of the unoriented Jones-Temperley--Lieb algebra have degenerate ground states.

math-ph↗
arXiv2026

Backbone three-point correlation function in the two-dimensional Potts model

We study the three-point correlation function of the backbone in the two-dimensional $Q$-state Potts model using the Fortuin--Kasteleyn (FK) representation. The backbone is defined as the biconnected skeleton of an FK cluster after removing all dangling ends and bridges. To circumvent the severe critical slowing down in direct Potts simulations for large $Q$, we employ large-scale Monte Carlo simulations of the O$(n)$ loop model on the hexagonal lattice, which is regarded to correspond to the Potts model with $Q=n^2$. Using a highly efficient cluster algorithm, we compute the universal three-point amplitude ratios for the backbone ($R_\text{BB}$) and FK clusters ($R_\text{FK}$). Our computed $R_\text{FK}$ exhibits excellent agreement with exact conformal field theory predictions, validating the reliability of our numerical approach. In the critical regime, we find that $R_\text{BB}$ is systematically larger than $R_\text{FK}$. Conversely, along the tricritical branch, $R_\text{BB}$ and $R_\text{FK}$ coincide within numerical accuracy, strongly suggesting that $R_\text{BB}=R_\text{FK}$ holds throughout this regime. This finding mirrors the known equality of the backbone and FK cluster fractal dimensions at tricriticality, jointly indicating that both structures share the same geometric universality.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2026

Two-point functions in boundary loop models

Using techniques of conformal bootstrap, we propose analytical expressions for a large class of two-point functions of bulk fields in critical loop models defined on the upper-half plane. Our results include the two-point connectivities in the Fortuin--Kasteleyn random cluster model with both free and wired boundary conditions. We link the continuum expressions to lattice quantities by computing universal ratios of amplitudes for the two-point connectivities, and find excellent agreement with transfer-matrix numerics.

math-ph↗
arXiv2025

Spaces of states of the two-dimensional O(n) and Potts models

We determine the spaces of states of the two-dimensional $O(n)$ and $Q$-state Potts models with generic parameters $n,Q\in \mathbb{C}$ as representations of their known symmetry algebras. While the relevant representations of the conformal algebra were recently worked out, it remained to determine the action of the global symmetry groups: the orthogonal group for the $O(n)$ model, and the symmetric group $S_Q$ for the $Q$-state Potts model. We do this by two independent methods. First we compute the twisted torus partition functions of the models at criticality. The twist in question is the insertion of a group element along one cycle of the torus: this breaks modular invariance, but allows the partition function to have a unique decomposition into characters of irreducible representations of the global symmetry group. Our second method reduces the problem to determining branching rules of certain diagram algebras. For the $O(n)$ model, we decompose representations of the Brauer algebra into representations of its unoriented Jones--Temperley--Lieb subalgebra. For the $Q$-state Potts model, we decompose representations of the partition algebra into representations of the appropriate subalgebra. We find explicit expressions for these decompositions as sums over certain sets of diagrams, and over standard Young tableaux. We check that both methods agree in many cases. Moreover, our spaces of states are consistent with recent bootstrap results on four-point functions of the corresponding CFTs.

math-ph↗
arXiv2025

Bayesian critical points in classical lattice models

The Boltzmann distribution encodes our subjective knowledge of the configuration in a classical lattice model, given only its Hamiltonian. If we acquire further information about the configuration from measurement, our knowledge is updated according to Bayes' theorem. We examine the resulting "conditioned ensembles", finding that they show many new phase transitions and new renormalization-group fixed points. (Similar conditioned ensembles also describe "partial quenches" in which some of the system's degrees of freedom are instantaneously frozen, while the others continue to evolve.) After describing general features of the replica field theories for these problems, we analyze the effect of measurement on illustrative critical systems, including: critical Ising and Potts models, which show surprisingly rich phase diagrams, with RG fixed points at weak, intermediate, and infinite measurement strength; various models involving free fields, XY spins, or flux lines in 2D or 3D; and geometrical models such as polymers or clusters. We make connections with quantum dynamics, in particular with "charge sharpening" in 1D, by giving a formalism for measurement of classical stochastic processes: e.g. we give a purely hydrodynamic derivation of the known effective field theory for charge sharpening. We discuss qualitative differences between RG flows for the above measured systems, described by $N\to 1$ replica limits, and those for disordered systems, described by $N\to 0$ limits. In addition to discussing measurement of critical states, we give a unifying treatment of a family of inference problems for non-critical states. These are related to the Nishimori line in the phase diagram of the random-bond Ising model, and are relevant to various quantum error correction problems. We describe distinct physical interpretations of conditioned ensembles and note interesting open questions.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2024

Critical spin chains and loop models with $PSU(n)$ symmetry

Starting with the Ising model, statistical models with global symmetries provide fruitful approaches to interesting physical systems, for example percolation or polymers. These include the $O(n)$ model (symmetry group $O(n)$) and the Potts model (symmetry group $S_Q$). Both models make sense for $n,Q\in \mathbb{C}$ and not just $n,Q\in \mathbb{N}$, and both give rise to a conformal field theory in the critical limit. Here, we study similar models based on the group $PSU(n)$. We focus on the two-dimensional case, where the models can be described either as gases of non-intersecting orientable loops, or as alternating spin chains. This allows us to determine their spectra either by computing a twisted torus partition function, or by studying representations of the walled Brauer algebra. In the critical limit, our models give rise to a CFT that exists for any $n\in\mathbb{C}$ and has a global $PSU(n)$ symmetry. Its spectrum is similar to those of the $O(n)$ and Potts CFTs, but a bit simpler. We conjecture that the $O(n)$ CFT is a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ orbifold of the $PSU(n)$ CFT, where $\mathbb{Z}_2$ acts as complex conjugation.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

Critical loop models are exactly solvable

In two-dimensional critical loop models, including the $O(n)$ and Potts models, the spectrum is exactly known, as are a few structure constants or ratios thereof. Using numerical conformal bootstrap methods, we study $235$ of the simplest 4-point structure constants. For each structure constant, we find an analytic expression as a product of two factors: 1) a universal function of conformal dimensions, built from Barnes' double Gamma function, and 2) a polynomial function of loop weights, whose degree obeys a simple upper bound. We conjecture that all structure constants are of this form. For a few 4-point functions, we build corresponding observables in a lattice loop model. From numerical lattice results, we extract amplitude ratios that depend neither on the lattice size nor on the lattice coupling. These ratios agree with the corresponding ratios of 4-point structure constants.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

Universality of closed nested paths in two-dimensional percolation

Recent work on percolation in $d=2$ [J. Phys. A {\bf 55} 204002] introduced an operator that gives a weight $k^{\ell}$ to configurations with $\ell$ `nested paths' (NP), i.e. disjoint cycles surrounding the origin, if there exists a cluster that percolates to the boundary of a disc of radius $L$, and weight zero otherwise. It was found that ${\rm E}(k^{\ell}) \sim L^{-X_{\rm NP}(k)}$, and a formula for $X_{\rm NP}(k)$ was conjectured. Here we derive an exact result for $X_{\rm NP}(k)$, valid for $k \ge -1$, replacing the previous conjecture. We find that the probability distribution ${\rm P}_\ell (L)$ scales as $ L^{-1/4} (\ln L)^\ell [(1/\ell!) Λ^\ell]$ when $\ell \geq 0$ and $L \gg 1$, with $Λ= 1/\sqrt{3} π$. Extensive simulations for various critical percolation models confirm our theoretical predictions and support the universality of the NP observables.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗
arXiv2024

Heisenberg spin chain with random-sign couplings

We study the 1D quantum Heisenberg chain with randomly ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic couplings (a model previously studied by approximate strong-disorder RG). We find that, at least for sufficiently large spin $S$, the ground state has ``spin glass'' order. The spin waves on top of this state have the dynamical exponent ${z=3/2}$, intermediate between the values $z=1$ of the antiferromagnet and ${z=2}$ of the ferromagnet. DMRG simulations are in good agreement with the analytical results for spins ${S=1}$ and ${S=3/2}$. The case ${S=1/2}$ shows large finite size effects: we suggest that this case is also ordered, but with a small ordered moment.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2024

The two upper critical dimensions of the Ising and Potts models

We derive the exact actions of the $Q$-state Potts model valid on any graph, first for the spin degrees of freedom, and second for the Fortuin-Kasteleyn clusters. In both cases the field is a traceless $Q$-component scalar field $Φ^α$. For the Ising model ($Q=2$), the field theory for the spins has upper critical dimension $d_{\rm c}^{\rm spin}=4$, whereas for the clusters it has $d_{\rm c}^{\rm cluster}=6$. As a consequence, the probability for three points to be in the same cluster is not given by mean-field theory for $d$ within $4<d<6$. We estimate the associated universal structure constant as $C=\sqrt{6-d}+ {\cal O}(6-d)^{3/2}$. This shows that some observables in the Ising model have an upper critical dimension of 4, while others have an upper critical dimension of $6$. Combining perturbative results from the $ε=6-d$ expansion with a non-perturbative treatment close to dimension $d=4$ allows us to locate the shape of the critical domain of the Potts model in the whole $(Q,d)$ plane.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

Emerging Jordan blocks in the two-dimensional Potts and loop models at generic $Q$

It was recently suggested -- based on general self-consistency arguments as well as results from the bootstrap (arXiv:2005.07708, arXiv:2007.11539, arXiv:2007.04190) -- that the CFT describing the $Q$-state Potts model is logarithmic for generic values of $Q$, with rank-two Jordan blocks for $L_0$ and ${\mkern 1.5mu\overline{\mkern-1.5mu L\mkern-1.5mu}\mkern 1.5mu}_0$ in many sectors of the theory. This is despite the well-known fact that the lattice transfer matrix (or Hamiltonian) is diagonalizable in (arbitrary) finite size. While the emergence of Jordan blocks only in the limit $L\to\infty$ is perfectly possible conceptually, diagonalizability in finite size makes the measurement of logarithmic couplings (whose values are analytically predicted in arXiv:2007.11539, arXiv:2007.04190) very challenging. This problem is solved in the present paper (which can be considered a companion to arXiv:2007.11539), and the conjectured logarithmic structure of the CFT confirmed in detail by the study of the lattice model and associated "emerging Jordan blocks."

math-ph↗
arXiv2024

On currents in the $O(n)$ loop model

Using methods from the conformal bootstrap, we study the properties of Noether currents in the critical $O(n)$ loop model. We confirm that they do not give rise to a Kac-Moody algebra (for $n\neq 2$), a result expected from the underlying lack of unitarity. By studying four-point functions in detail, we fully determine the current-current OPEs, and thus obtain several structure constants with physical meaning. We find in particular that the terms $:\!J\bar{J}\!:$ in the identity and adjoint channels vanish exactly, invalidating the argument made in \cite{car93-1} that adding orientation-dependent interactions to the model should lead to continuously varying exponents in self-avoiding walks. We also determine the residue of the identity channel in the $JJ$ two-point function, finding that it coincides both with the result of a transfer-matrix computation for an orientation-dependent correlation function in the lattice model, and with an earlier Coulomb gas computation of Cardy \cite{car93}. This is, to our knowledge, one of the first instances where the Coulomb gas formalism and the bootstrap can be successfully compared.

hep-th↗
arXiv2024

Lattice realization of complex CFTs: Two-dimensional Potts model with $Q>4$ states

The two-dimensional $Q$-state Potts model with real couplings has a first-order transition for $Q>4$. We study a loop-model realization in which $Q$ is a continuous parameter. This model allows for the collision of a critical and a tricritical fixed point at $Q=4$, which then emerge as complex conformally invariant theories at $Q>4$, or even complex $Q$, for suitable complex coupling constants. All critical exponents can be obtained as analytic continuation of known exact results for $Q \le 4$. We verify this scenario in detail for $Q=5$ using transfer-matrix computations.

hep-th↗
arXiv2023

Integrability of rank-two web models

We continue our work on lattice models of webs, which generalise the well-known loop models to allow for various kinds of bifurcations [arXiv:2101.00282, arXiv:2107.10106]. Here we define new web models corresponding to each of the rank-two spiders considered by Kuperberg [arXiv:q-alg/9712003]. These models are based on the $A_2$, $G_2$ and $B_2$ Lie algebras, and their local vertex configurations are intertwiners of the corresponding $q$-deformed quantum algebras. In all three cases we define a corresponding model on the hexagonal lattice, and in the case of $B_2$ also on the square lattice. For specific root-of-unity choices of $q$, we show the equivalence to a number of three- and four-state spin models on the dual lattice. The main result of this paper is to exhibit integrable manifolds in the parameter spaces of each web model. For $q$ on the unit circle, these models are critical and we characterise the corresponding conformal field theories via numerical diagonalisation of the transfer matrix. In the $A_2$ case we find two integrable regimes. The first one contains a dense and a dilute phase, for which we have analytic control via a Coulomb gas construction, while the second one is more elusive and likely conceals non-compact physics. Three particular points correspond to a three-state spin model with plaquette interactions, of which the one in the second regime appears to present a new universality class. In the $G_2$ case we identify four regimes numerically. The $B_2$ case is too unwieldy to be studied numerically in the general case, but it found analytically to contain a simpler sub-model based on generators of the dilute Birman-Murakami-Wenzl algebra.

hep-th↗