Conformal Field Theory With Gauge Symmetry

This book presents a systematic approach to conformal field theory with gauge symmetry from the point of view of complex algebraic geometry. After presenting the basic facts of the theory of compact Riemann surfaces and the representation theory of affine Lie algebras in Chapters 1 and 2, conformal blocks for pointed Riemann surfaces with coordinates are constructed in Chapter 3. In Chapter 4 the sheaf of conformal blocks associated to a family of pointed Riemann surfaces withcoordinates is constructed, and in Chapter 5 it is shown that this sheaf supports a projective flat connection-one of the most important facts of conformal field theory. Chapter 6 is devoted to the study of the detailed structure of the conformal field theory over $\mathbb{P}1$.Recently it was shown that modular functors can be constructed from conformal field theory, giving an interesting relationship between algebraic geometry and topological quantum field theory. This book provides a timely introduction to an intensively studied topic of conformal field theory with gauge symmetry by a leading algebraic geometer, and includes all the necessary techniques and results that are used to construct the modular functor.

"Recently it was shown that modular functors can be constructed from conformal field theory, giving an interesting relationship between algebraic geometry and topological quantum field theory. This book provides a timely introduction to an intensively studied topic of conformal field theory with gauge symmetry by a leading algebraic geometer, and includes all the necessary techniques and results that are used to construct the modular functor."--BOOK JACKET.

Conformal field theory is an elegant and powerful theory in the field of high energy physics and statistics. In fact, it can be said to be one of the greatest achievements in the development of this field. Presented in two dimensions, this book is designed for students who already have a basic knowledge of quantum mechanics, field theory and general relativity. The main idea used throughout the book is that conformal symmetry causes both classical and quantum integrability. Instead of concentrating on the numerous applications of the theory, the author puts forward a discussion of the general methods of conformal field theory as a physical theory. Hence the book provides in a self-contained way the necessary knowledge and “conformal” intuition which underline the various applications of conformal field theory. It is aimed to assist students and professionals in the study of the theory from its first principles and in applying the methods in their own research. The first of its kind, this book promises to give a detailed and comprehensive insight into the workings of conformal field theory.

"Based on the proceedings of the Special Session on Geometry and Physics held over a six month period at the University of Aarhus, Denmark and on articles from the Summer school held at Odense University, Denmark. Offers new contributions on a host of topics that involve physics, geometry, and topology. Written by more than 50 leading international experts."

Part I gives a detailed, self-contained and mathematically rigorous exposition of classical conformal symmetry in n dimensions and its quantization in two dimensions. The conformal groups are determined and the appearence of the Virasoro algebra in the context of the quantization of two-dimensional conformal symmetry is explained via the classification of central extensions of Lie algebras and groups. Part II surveys more advanced topics of conformal field theory such as the representation theory of the Virasoro algebra, conformal symmetry within string theory, an axiomatic approach to Euclidean conformally covariant quantum field theory and a mathematical interpretation of the Verlinde formula in the context of moduli spaces of holomorphic vector bundles on a Riemann surface.

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.

Our prime concern in this book is to discuss some most interesting prosppcts that have occurred recently in conformally invariant quantum field theory in a D-diuwnsional space. One of the most promising trends is constructing an pxact solution for a cprtain class of models. This task seems to be quite feasible in the light of recent resllits. The situation here is to some extent similar to what was going on in the past ypars with the two-dimensional quantum field theory. Our investigation of conformal Ward identities in a D-dimensional space, carried out as far hack as the late H. J7Gs, showed that in the D-dimensional quantum field theory, irrespective of the type of interartion, there exists a special set of states of the field with the following property: if we rpqllire that one of these states should vanish, this determines an exact solution of 3. certain field model. These states are analogous to null-vectors which determine the minimal models in the two-dimensional field theory. On the other hand, the recent resparches supplied us with a number of indications on the existencp of an intinite-parampter algebra analogous to the Virasoro algebra in spaces of higher dimensions D 2: :~. It has also been shown that this algebra admits an operator rentral expansion. It seems to us that the above-mentioned models are field theoretical realizations of the representations of these new symmetries for D 2: ;3.

Many courses on modern quantum field theory focus on the formulation and application of field theory, leaving topics related to symmetry underdeveloped. This leads to students often having an incomplete understanding of symmetries. Filling this gap, Symmetries and Symmetry Breaking in Field Theory sheds light on various aspects of symmetry in field theory. The book presents a broad selection of important topics, including constraint theory, generalized Pauli–Villars regularization, the measure approach to anomalies, zeta function regularization, and anomalous gauge theories. The author explains how some classical symmetries are broken by anomalies and how other symmetries of the theory are spontaneously broken. He discusses all of the ideas in as simple a way as possible.