Tagged Questions
7
votes
1answer
71 views
What exactly is meant by the conformal group of Minkowski space?
This is sort of a silly question because I'm a total beginner, and I debated whether it was better to ask here or on Math.SE. I decided on here because it's about how physicists use terminology, even ...
6
votes
1answer
74 views
Motivation for the Deformed Nekrasov Partition Function
I have recently been doing research on the AGT Correspondence between the Nekrasov Instanton Partition Function and Louiville Conformal Blocks (http://arxiv.org/abs/0906.3219). When looking at the ...
9
votes
2answers
247 views
Algebraic/Axiomatic QFT vs Topological QFT
Can anybody please tell me a good source investigating the relation between Algebraic/Axiomatic Quantum Field Theory (AQFT) and Topological Quantum Field Theory (TQFT)? Or is there none?
2
votes
1answer
190 views
Equivalent definitions of primary fields in CFT
I have come across two similar definitions of primary fields in conformal field theory. Depending on what I am doing each definition has its own usefulness. I expect both definitions to be compatible ...
3
votes
2answers
213 views
How are functional determinants of Laplace-type operators used in physics?
Many mathematical papers concerning the $\zeta$-regularized Determinant of Laplace-type operators refer for motivation to the broad use of such determinants in mathematical physics, especially in ...
7
votes
2answers
51 views
“tmf(n) is the space of supersymmetric conformal field theories of central charge -n”
I read this intriguing statement in John Baez' week 197 the other day, and I've been giving it some thought. The post in question is from 2003, so I was wondering if there has been any progress in ...
12
votes
2answers
59 views
How much of the Capelli-Itzykson-Zuber ADE-classification of su(2)-conformal field theories can one see perturbatively?
In their celebrated work, Capelli Itzykson and Zuber established an
ADE-classification of modular invariant CFTs with chiral algebra $\mathfrak{su}(2)_k$.
How much of that classification can one ...
10
votes
2answers
44 views
Examples of heterotic CFTs
I'm trying to get a global idea of the world of conformal field theories.
Many authors restrict attention to CFTs where the algebras of left and right movers agree. I'd like to increase my intuition ...
8
votes
1answer
257 views
AGT conjecture and WZW model
In 2009 Alday, Gaiotto and Tachikawa conjectured an expression for the Liouville theory conformal blocks and correlation functions on a Riemann surface of genus g and n punctures as the Nekrasov ...
7
votes
1answer
78 views
Characters of $\widehat{\mathfrak{su}}(2)_k$ and WZW coset construction
I am currently studying affine Lie algebras and the WZW coset construction. I have a minor technical problem in calculating the (specialized) character of $\widehat{\mathfrak{su}}(2)_k$ for an affine ...
14
votes
1answer
54 views
Miura transform for W-algebras of exceptional type
Miura transform for W-algebras of classical types can be found in e.g. Sec. 6.3.3 of Bouwknegt-Schoutens. Is there a similar explicit Miura transform for W-algebras of exceptional types, say, E6? It's ...
6
votes
1answer
372 views
Boundary Conditions Invariant Under Conformal Transformations in Electrostatics?
in two dimensional electrostatics it is assumed that the whole physical system is translationally invariant in one direction. Here, the two-dimensional Laplace equation $$\Delta \phi(x,y) = ...
6
votes
1answer
428 views
CFTs and formalizing quantum field theory
Moshe's recent questions on formalizing quantum field theory and lattices as a definition of field theory remind me of something I occasionally idly wonder about, and maybe this site can tell me the ...
12
votes
4answers
2k views
A pedestrian explanation of conformal blocks
I would be very happy if someone could take a stab at conveying what conformal blocks are and how they are used in conformal field theory (CFT). I'm finally getting the glimmerings of understanding ...
