Skip to main content
Log in

Automorphism modular invariants of current algebras

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

Abstract

We consider those two-dimensional rational conformal field theories (RCFTs) whose chiral algebras, when maximally extended, are isomorphic to the current algebra formed from some untwisted affine Lie algebra at fixed level. In this case the partition function is specified by an automorphism of the fusion ring and corresponding symmetry of the Kac-Peterson modular matrices. We classify all such partition functions when the underlying finite-dimensional Lie algebra is simple. This gives all possible spectra for this class of RCFTs. While accomplishing this, we also find the primary fields with second smallest quantum dimension.

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. Altschuler, D., Lacki, J., Zaugg, Ph.: The affine Weyl group and modular invariant partition functions. Phys. Lett.B205, 281–284 (1988)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Belavin, A.A., Polyakov, A.M., Zamolodchikov, A.B.: Infinite conformal symmetry in two-dimensional quantum field theory. Nucl. Phys.B241, 333–380 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Bernard, D.: String characters from Kac-Moody automorphisms. Nucl. Phys.B288, 628–648 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Bourbaki, N.: Groupes et algèbres de Lie, Chapitres IV–VI. Paris: Hermann, 1968

    Google Scholar 

  5. Cappelli, A., Itzykson, C., Zuber, J.-B.: The A-D-E classification ofA (1)1 and minimal conformal field theories. Commun. Math. Phys.113, 1–26 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Cardy, J.: The operator content of two-dimensional conformally invariant theories. Nucl. Phys.B270, 186–204 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Coste, A., Gannon, T.: Remarks on Galois symmetry in RCFT. Phys. Lett.B323, 316–321 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Cummins, C., Mathieu, P., Walton, M.A.: Generating functions for WZNW fusion rules. Phys. Lett.B254, 386–390 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Fuchs, J.: Simple WZW currents. Commun. Math. Phys.136, 345–356 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Fuchs, J., Van Driel, P.: Fusion rule engineering. Lett. Math. Phys.23, 11–18 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Fuchs, J., Gato-Rivera, B., Schellekens, A.N., Schweigert, C.: Modular invariants and fusion rule automorphisms from Galois theory. Phys. Lett.B334, 113–120 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Fuchs, J., Schellekens, A.N., Schweigert, C.: Galois modular invariants of WZW models. hepth/9410010

  13. Felder, G., Gawedzki, K., Kupiainen, A.: Spectra of Wess-Zumino-Witten models with arbitrary simple groups. Commun. Math. Phys.117, 127–158 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Furlan, P., Ganchev, A., Petkova, V.: Quantum groups and fusion rules multiplicities. Nucl. Phys.B343, 205–227 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Gannon, T.: WZW commutants, lattices, and level-one partition functions. Nucl. Phys.B396, 708–736 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Gannon, T.: The classification of affinesu(3) modular invariant partition functions. Commun. Math. Phys.161, 233–264 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Gannon, T.: Symmetries of the Kac-Peterson modular matrices of affine algebras. Invent. Math.122, 341–357 (1995)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Gepner, D., Witten, E.: Strings on group manifolds. Nucl. Phys.B278, 493 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Hua Loo Keng: Introduction to Number Theory. Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  20. Intriligator, K.: Bonus symmetry in rational conformal field theory. Nucl. Phys.B332, 541–565 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Itzykson, C.: Level-one Kac-Moody characters and modular invariance. Nucl. Phys. (Proc. Suppl.)B5, 150–165 (1988); Degiovanni, P.: Z/NZ conformal field theories. Commun. Math. Phys.127, 71–99 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kac, V.G.: Infinite dimensional Lie algebras, 3rd edition Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  23. Kac, V.G., Peterson, D.: Infinite-dimensional Lie algebras, theta functions and modular forms. Adv. Math.53, 125–264 (1984)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kac, V.G., Wakimoto, M.: Modular and conformal invariance constraints in representation theory of affine algebras. Adv. Math.70, 156–236 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kirillov, A.N., Mathieu, P., Sénéchal, D., Walton, M.A.: Can fusion coefficients be calculated from the depth rule? Nucl. Phys.B391, 651–674 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. McKay, W.G., Moody, R.V., Patera, J.: Decomposition of tensor products ofE 8 representations. Alg. Groups and Geom.3, 286–328 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Moore, G., Seiberg, N.: Naturality in conformal field theory. Nucl. Phys.B313, 16–40 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Naculich, S.G., Riggs, H.A., Schnitzer, H.J.: Group-level duality in WZW models and Chern-Simons theory. Phys. Lett.B246, 417–422 (1990); Mlawer, E.J., Naculich, S.G., Riggs, H.A., Schnitzer, H.J.: Group-level duality of WZW fusion coefficients and Chern-Simons link observables. Nucl. Phys.B352, 863–896 (1991)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Ruelle, P., Thiran, E., Weyers, J.: Implications of an arithmetical symmetry of the commutant for modular invariants. Nucl. Phys.B402, 693–708 (1993); Ruelle, P.: Automorphisms of the affineSU(3) fusion rules. Commun. Math. Phys.160, 475–492 (1994)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Schellekens, A.N.: Fusion rule automorphisms from integer spin simple currents. Phys. Lett.B244, 255–260 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Schellekens, A.N., Yankielowicz, S.: Extended chiral algebras and modular invariant partition functions. Nucl. Phys.327, 673–703 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Schellekens, A.N., Yankielowicz, S.: Modular invariants from simple currents: An explicit proof. Phys. Lett.B227, 387–391 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Slansky, R.: Group theory for unified model building. Phys. Rep.79, 1 (1981)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Verlinde, E.: Fusion rules and modular transformations in 2D conformal field theory. Nucl. Phys.300 [FS22], 360–376 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Verstegen, D.: New exceptional modular invariant partition functions for simple Kac-Moody algebras. Nucl. Phys.B346, 349–386 (1990)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Walton, M.A.: Algorithm for WZW fusion rules. A proof. Phys. Lett.241B, 365–368 (1990); Fusion rules in Wess-Zumino-Witten models. Nucl. Phys.B340, 777–790 (1990)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Communicated by R.H. Dijkgraaf

Supported in part by NSERC.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gannon, T., Ruelle, P. & Walton, M.A. Automorphism modular invariants of current algebras. Commun.Math. Phys. 179, 121–156 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02103717

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02103717

Keywords

Navigation