Skip to main content
Log in

Braiding matrices, modular transformations and topological field theories in 2+1 dimensions

  • Published:
Communications in Mathematical Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Relations between 3D topological field theories and rational conformal field theories are discussed. In the former framework, we can define the generalized Verlinde operators. Using these operators, we find modular transformations for conformal blocks of one point functions and two point functions on the torus. The result is generalized to higher genus. The correctness of our formulae is illustrated by some examples. We also emphasize the importance of the fusion algebra.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Belavin, A.A., Polyakov, A.M., Zamolodchikov, A.B.: Infinite conformal symmetry in two dimensional quantum field theory. Nucl. Phys. B241, 33 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Friedan, D., Qiu, Z., Shenker, S.H.: Conformal invariance, unitarity, and critical exponents in two dimensions. Phys. Rev. Lett.52, 1575 (1984); Superconformal invariance in two dimensions and the tricritical Ising model. Phys. Lett.151 B, 37 (1985)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Goddard, P., Kent, A., Olive, D.: Virasoro algebras and coset space models. Phys. Lett.152 B, 88 (1985); Unitary representations of the Virasoro and super Virasoro algebra. Commun. Math. Phys.103, 105 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cardy, J.L.: Operator content of two-dimensional conformal invariant theories. Nucl. Phys. B270 [F216], 186 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Capelli, A., Itzykson, C., Zuber, J.-B.: Modular invariant partition functions in two dimensions. Nucl. Phys. B280 [F218], 445 (1987); The A-D-E classification of two-dimensional conformal invariant theories. Commun. Math. Phys.113, 1 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Knizhnik, V.G., Zamolodchikov, A.B.: Current algebra and Wess-Zumino model in two dimensions. Nucl. Phys. B247, 83 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Gepner, D., Witten, E.: String theory on group manifolds Nucl. Phys. B285, 423 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Di Vecchia, P., Petersen, J.L., Yu, M.: Phys. Lett.172 B, 211 (1986) Di Vecchia, P., Petersen, J.L., Yu, M., Zheng, H.B.: Explicit construction of unitary representations of theN=2 superconformal algebra. Phys. Lett.174 B, 280 (1986) Yu, M.: The unitary constructions of theN=4SU(2) extended superconformal algebras. Phys. Lett.196 B, 345 (1987) Boucher, W., Friedan, D., Kent, A.: Phys. Lett.172 B, 316 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Eguchi, T., Ooguri, H.: Conformal and current algebra on a general Riemann surface. Nucl. Phys. B282, 308 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Friedan, D., Shenker, S.H.: The analytic geometry of two-dimensional conformal field theory. Nucl. Phys. B281, 509 (1987)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Verlinde, E.: Fusion rules and modular transformations in 2-D conformal field theory. Nucl. Phys. B300, 360 (1988) Dijkgraaf, R., Verlinde, E.: Modular invariance and the fusion algebra. In the Proceedings of the Annecy Conference on Conformal Field Theory. Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.)5 B (1988) Brustein, R., Yankielowicz, S., Zuber, J.-B.: Factorization and selection rules of operator product algebras in conformal field theory. Nucl. Phys. B313, 321 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Tsuchiya, A., Kanie, Y.: Vertex operators in the conformal field theory onP 1 and monodromy representations of the braid group. Lett. Math. Phys.13, 303 (1987); In: Conformal field theory and solvable lattice models. Adv. Stud. Pure Math.16, 297 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Fröhlich, J.: Statistics of fields, the Yang-Baxter equation, and the theory of knots and links. Lectures at Cargese 1987

  14. Rehren, K.-H., Schroer, B.: Einstein causality and artin braids. Nucl. Phys. B312, 715 (1989) Schroer, B.: Quasiprimary fields: an approach to positivity of 2-D conformal quantum field theory. Nucl. Phys. B295, 4 (1988) Rehren, K.-H.: Locality of conformal fields in two dimensions: Exchange algebra on the light cone. Commun. Math. Phys.116, 675 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Moore, G., Seiberg, N.: Polynomial equations for rational conformal field theories. Phys. Lett.212 B, 451 (1988); Naturality in conformal field theory. Nucl. Phys. B313, 16 (1989); Classical and quantum conformal field theory. Commun. Math. Phys.123, 177 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Vafa, C.: Toward classification of conformal theories. Phys. Lett.206 B, 421 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  17. Harvey, J.A., Moore, G., Vafa, C.: Quasicrystalline compactification. Nucl. Phys. B304, 269 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  18. Anderson, G., Moore, G.: Rationality in conformal field theory. Commun. Math. Phys.117, 144 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Mathur, S.D., Mukhi, S.: Correlation functions of current-algebra theories on the torus. Phys. Lett.210 B, 133 (1988) Mathur, S.D., Mukhi, S., Sen, A.: On the classification of rational conformal field theories. Phys. Lett.213 B, 303 (1988); Correlators of primary fields in theSU(2) WZW theory on Riemann surfaces. Nucl. Phys.B305 [FS23], 219 (1988); Differential equations for correlations and characters in arbitrary rational conformal field theories. Nucl. Phys. B312, 15 (1989); Reconstruction of conformal field theories from modular geometry on the torus. Nucl. Phys.B318, 483 (1989); Tata Institute preprint TIFR/TH/89-12

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kiritsis, E.B.: Preprint LBL-26384 (1988); LBL-26972 (1989)

  21. Naculich, S.G.: Preprint BRX TH-257 (1988)

  22. Alvarez-Gaumé, L., Gomez, C., Sierra, G.: Quantum group interpretation of some conformal field theories. Phys. Lett.220 B, 142 (1989); Hidden quantum symmetries in rational conformal field theories. Nucl. Phys. B319, 155 (1989); Duality and quantum groups. CERN preprint, CERN-TH-5369/89

    Google Scholar 

  23. Cardy, J.L.: Preprint UCSBTH-89-06 (1989)

  24. Segal, G.: Oxford preprint; and Lecture at the IAMP Congress, Swansea, July, 1988

  25. Witten, E.: Non-Abelian bosonization. Commun. Math. Phys.92, 455 (1984)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Witten, E.: Quantum field theory and the Jones polynomials. Commun. Math. Phys.121, 351 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Witten, E.: Gauge theories and integrable lattice models. IASSNS-HEP-89/11 (1989); The search for higher symmetry in string theory. IASSNS-HEP-88/55 (1988)

  28. Bos, M., Nair, V.P.:U(1) Chern-Simons andc=1 conformal blocks. Print-89-0118 Elitzur, S., Moore, G., Schwimmer, A., Seiberg, N.: Remarks on the canonical quantization of the Chern-Simons-Witten theory. IASSNS-HEP-89/20 Li, M.: Abelian Chern-Simons theory and CFT of rational torus. To appear inII Nuovo Cimento B

  29. Moore, G., Seiberg, N.: Taming the conformal zoo. Phys. Lett.220 B, 422 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Gao, Y.-H., Li, M., Yu, M.: To appear

  31. Li, M., Yu, M.: Modular transformations of conformal blocks in WZW models on Riemann surfaces of higher genus. ICTP preprint, IC/89/106 (1989)

  32. Drinfel'd, V.G.: Quantum groups. In Proceedings of the International Congress of Mathematicians, Berkeley Cal. (1986)

  33. Kirillov, A.N., Reshetikhin, N.Yu.: Representations of the algebraU q (sl(2)).q-orthogonal polynomials and invariants of links. Preprint LOMI-E-9-88 (1988) Hou, B.-Y., Hou, B.-Y., Ma, Z.-Q.: Preprint BIHEP-TH-89-7; BIHEP-TH-89-8 (1989)

  34. Moore, G., Reshetikhin, N.: A comment on quantum group symmetry in conformal field theory. IASSNS-HEP-89/18 preprint (1989)

  35. Felder, G., Fröhlich, J., Keller, G.: Braid matrices and structure constants for minimal conformal models. IAS/ETH preprint (1989)

  36. Bagger, J., Nemeschansky, D., Zuber, J.-B.: Minimal model correlation functions on the torus. Preprint USC-88/009 (1988)

  37. Jayaraman, T., Narain, K.S.: Correlation functions for minimal models on the torus. ICTP preprint IC/88/306

  38. Felder, G., Silvotti, R.: Modular covariance of minimal model correlation functions. Commun. Math. Phys.123, 1 (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Bonora, L., Matone, M., Toppan, F., Wu, K.:b-c system approach to minimal models. The genus-zero case. Phys. Lett.224B, 115 (1989); SISSA preprint ISAS/SISSA-45/89/EP

    Google Scholar 

  40. Li, M., Yu, M.: In preparation

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by L. Alvarez-Gaumé

Addresses after October 1, 1989: Institute of Theoretical Physics, Academia Sinica, Beijing, P. R. China

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Li, M., Yu, M. Braiding matrices, modular transformations and topological field theories in 2+1 dimensions. Commun.Math. Phys. 127, 195–224 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02096502

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02096502

Keywords

Navigation