Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Werner Nahm

Publications and source records attributed to Werner Nahm.

26 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Nahm's conjecture and coset models

When is a $q$-series modular? This is an interesting open question in mathematics that has deep connections to conformal field theory. In this paper we define a particular $r$-fold $q$-hypergeometric series $f_{A,B,C}$, with data given by a matrix $A$, a vector $B$, and a scalar $C$, all rational, and ask when $f_{A,B,C}$ is modular. In the past much work has been done to predict which values of $A$ give rise to modular $f_{A,B,C}$, however there is no straightforward method for calculating corresponding values of $B$. We approach this problem from the point of view of conformal field theory, by considering $(2n+3,2)$--minimal models, and coset models of the form $\hat{su}(2)_k /\hat{u}(1)$. By calculating the characters of these models and comparing them to the functions $f_{A,B,C}$, we succeed in computing appropriate $B$-values in many cases.

math-ph↗

Integrable deformations of CFTs and the discrete Hirota equations

We solve the discrete Hirota equations (Kirillov-Reshetikhin Q-systems) for $A_r$, and their analogue for $D_r$, for the cases where the second variable ranges over either a finite set or over all integers. Until now only special solutions were known. We find all solutions for which no component vanishes, as required in the known applications. As an introduction we present the known solution where the second variable ranges over the natural numbers.

hep-th↗

Boundary states and edge currents for free fermions

We calculate the ground state current densities for 2+1 dimensional free fermion theories with local, translationally invariant boundary states. Deformations of the bulk wave functions close to the edge and boundary states both may cause edge current divergencies, which have to cancel in realistic systems. This yields restrictions on the parameters of quantum field theories which can arise as low energy limits of solid state systems. Some degree of Lorentz invariance for boosts parallel to the boundary can be recovered, when the cutoff is removed.

math-ph↗

Conformal Field Theory and Torsion Elements of the Bloch Group

We argue that rational conformally invariant quantum field theories in two dimensions are closely related to torsion elements of the algebraic K-theory group K_3(C). If such a theory has an integrable matrix perturbation with purely elastic scattering matrix, then the partition function has a canonical sum representation. Its asymptotic behaviour is given in terms of the solution of an algebraic equation which can be read off from the scattering matrix. The solutions yield torsion elements of an extension of the Bloch group which seems to be equal to K_3(C). These algebraic equations are solved for integrable models given by arbitrary pairs of equations are solved for integrable models given by arbitrary pairs of A-type Cartan matrices. The paper should be readable by mathematicians.

hep-th↗

Mirror Symmetry on Kummer Type K3 Surfaces

We investigate both geometric and conformal field theoretic aspects of mirror symmetry on N=(4,4) superconformal field theories with central charge c=6. Our approach enables us to determine the action of mirror symmetry on (non-stable) singular fibers in elliptic fibrations of Z_N orbifold limits of K3. The resulting map gives an automorphism of order 4,8, or 12, respectively, on the smooth universal cover of the moduli space. We explicitly derive the geometric counterparts of the twist fields in our orbifold conformal field theories. The classical McKay correspondence allows for a natural interpretation of our results.

hep-th↗

The associative algebras of conformal field theory

Modulo the ideal generated by the derivative fields, the normal ordered product of holomorphic fields in two-dimensional conformal field theory yields a commutative and associative algebra. The zero mode algebra can be regarded as a deformation of the latter. Alternatively, it can be described as an associative quotient of the algebra given by a modified normal ordered product. We clarify the relation of these structures to Zhu's product and Zhu's algebra of the mathematical literature.

hep-th↗

On the Seiberg-Witten Approach to electric-magnetic Duality

Electric-magnetic duality allows to calculate the central charges of N=2 supersymmetric theories with massless hypermultiplets as derivatives of simple modular forms. The procedure reproduces the Seiberg-Witten results for N_f=0,2,3 in a uniform way, but indicates open problems for N_f=1.

hep-th↗

Quasi-rational fusion products

Fusion is defined for arbitrary lowest weight representations of $W$-algebras, without assuming rationality. Explicit algorithms are given. A category of quasirational representations is defined and shown to be stable under fusion. Conjecturally, it may coincide with the category of representations of finite quantum dimensions.

hep-th↗