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Title: Quantum groups as generalized gauge symmetries in WZNW models. Part I. The classical model

Journal Article · · Physics of Particles and Nuclei
 [1];  [2]
  1. Institute for Nuclear Research and Nuclear Energy, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia (Bulgaria)
  2. Dipartimento di Fisica dell’ Università degli Studi di Trieste, Trieste (Italy)

Wess-Zumino-Novikov-Witten (WZNW) models over compact Lie groups G constitute the best studied class of (two dimensional, 2D) rational conformal field theories (RCFTs). A WZNW chiral state space is a finite direct sum of integrable representations of the corresponding affine (current) algebra, and the correlation functions of primary fields are monodromy invariant combinations of left times right sector conformal blocks solving the Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov equation. However, even in this very well understood case of 2D RCFT, the “internal” (gauge) symmetry that governs the ensuing fusion rules remains unclear. On the other hand, the canonical approach to the classical chiral WZNW theory developed by Faddeev, Alekseev, Shatashvili, Gawedzki and Falceto reveals its Poisson-Lie symmetry. After a covariant quantization, the latter gives rise to an associated quantum group symmetry which naturally requires an extension of the state space. This paper contains a review of earlier work on the subject with a special emphasis, in the case G = SU(n), on the emerging chiral “WZNW zero modes” which provide an adequate algebraic description of the internal symmetry structure of the model. Combining further left and right zero modes, one obtains a specific dynamical quantum group, the structure of its Fock representation resembling the axiomatic approach to gauge theories in which a “restricted” quantum group plays the role of a generalized gauge symmetry.

OSTI ID:
22979529
Journal Information:
Physics of Particles and Nuclei, Vol. 48, Issue 4; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2017 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1063-7796
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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