Why is conformal field theory important?
Conformal field theory has important applications to condensed matter physics, statistical mechanics, quantum statistical mechanics, and string theory. Statistical and condensed matter systems are indeed often conformally invariant at their thermodynamic or quantum critical points.
Who invented conformal field theory?
Alexander Zamolodchikov
The existence of a much stronger symmetry for the scaling limit of two-dimensional critical systems was suggested by Alexander Belavin, Alexander Markovich Polyakov and Alexander Zamolodchikov in 1984, which eventually led to the development of conformal field theory, a special case of quantum field theory, which is …
What is cft in physics?
A conformal field theory (CFT) is a field theory which is invariant under these transfor- mations. This means that the physics of the theory looks the same at all length scales. Conformal field theories care about angles, but not about distances.
What is the central charge in physics?
In theoretical physics, a central charge is an operator Z that commutes with all the other symmetry operators. The adjective “central” refers to the center of the symmetry group—the subgroup of elements that commute with all other elements of the original group—often embedded within a Lie algebra.
What is conformal mapping in complex analysis?
A conformal mapping, also called a conformal map, conformal transformation, angle-preserving transformation, or biholomorphic map, is a transformation. that preserves local angles. An analytic function is conformal at any point where it has a nonzero derivative.
What are primary operators?
In theoretical physics, a primary field, also called a primary operator, or simply a primary, is a local operator in a conformal field theory which is annihilated by the part of the conformal algebra consisting of the lowering generators.
What conformal means?
Definition of conformal 1 : leaving the size of the angle between corresponding curves unchanged conformal transformation. 2 of a map : representing small areas in their true shape.
Who founded QED?
Richard P. Feynman
The QED theory was refined and fully developed in the late 1940s by Richard P. Feynman, Julian S.
Is QCD conformal?
The Lagrangian of Quantum Chromodynamics is invariant under conformal transformations. Although this symmetry is broken by quantum corrections, it has important consequences for strong interactions at short distances and provides one with powerful tools in practical calculations.
Is charge a quantum number?
Quantum numbers refer generally to properties that are discrete (quantized) and conserved, such as energy, momentum, charge, baryon number, and lepton number.
