We show irreversibility of the renormalization group flow in non-unitary but PT -invariant quantum field theory in two space-time dimensions. In addition to unbroken PT -symmetry and a positive energy spectrum, we assume standard properties of quantum field theory including a local energy-momentum tensor and relativistic invariance. This generalizes Zamolodchikovs c-theorem to PT -symmetric Hamiltonians. Our proof follows closely amolodchikovs arguments. We show that a function ceff(s) of the renormalization group parameter s exists which is non-negative and monotonically decreasing along renormalization group flows. Its value at a critical point is the effective central charge entering the specific free energy. At least in rational models, this equals ceff = c-24δ, where c is the central charge and δis the lowest primary field dimension in the conformal field theory which describes the critical point.

Castro-alvaredo, O.A., Doyon, B., Ravanini, F. (2017). Irreversibility of the renormalization group flow in non-unitary quantum field theory. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. A, MATHEMATICAL AND THEORETICAL, 50(42), 01-24 [10.1088/1751-8121/aa8a10].

Irreversibility of the renormalization group flow in non-unitary quantum field theory

Ravanini, Francesco
2017

Abstract

We show irreversibility of the renormalization group flow in non-unitary but PT -invariant quantum field theory in two space-time dimensions. In addition to unbroken PT -symmetry and a positive energy spectrum, we assume standard properties of quantum field theory including a local energy-momentum tensor and relativistic invariance. This generalizes Zamolodchikovs c-theorem to PT -symmetric Hamiltonians. Our proof follows closely amolodchikovs arguments. We show that a function ceff(s) of the renormalization group parameter s exists which is non-negative and monotonically decreasing along renormalization group flows. Its value at a critical point is the effective central charge entering the specific free energy. At least in rational models, this equals ceff = c-24δ, where c is the central charge and δis the lowest primary field dimension in the conformal field theory which describes the critical point.
2017
Castro-alvaredo, O.A., Doyon, B., Ravanini, F. (2017). Irreversibility of the renormalization group flow in non-unitary quantum field theory. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. A, MATHEMATICAL AND THEORETICAL, 50(42), 01-24 [10.1088/1751-8121/aa8a10].
Castro-alvaredo, Olalla A.; Doyon, Benjamin; Ravanini, Francesco
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/610192
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