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Does Conformal Quantum Field Theory Describe the Continuum Limits of 2D Spin Models with Continuous Symmetry?

High Energy Physics - Lattice 2009-10-30 v1 Condensed Matter High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

It is generally taken for granted that two-dimensional critical phenomena can be fully classified by the well known two-dimensional (rational) conformal quantum field theories (CQFTs). In particular it is believed that in models with a continuous symmetry characterized by a Lie group GG the continuum theory enjoys an enhanced symmetry G×GG\times G due to the decoupling of right and left movers. In this letter we review the conventional arguments leading to this conclusion, point out two gaps and provide a conterexample. Nevertheless we justify in the end the conventional conclusions by additional arguments.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.hep-lat/9703015,
  title  = {Does Conformal Quantum Field Theory Describe the Continuum Limits of 2D Spin Models with Continuous Symmetry?},
  author = {Adrian Patrascioiu and Erhard Seiler},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:hep-lat/9703015},
  year   = {2009}
}

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9 pages