Effective potentials and kink spectra in non-integrable perturbed conformal field theories

We analyze the evolution of the effective potential and the particle spectrum of two-parameter families of non-integrable quantum field theories. These theories are defined by deformations of conformal minimal models M_m by using the operators Phi_{1,3}, Phi_{1,2} and Phi_{2,1}. This study extends to all minimal models the analysis previously done for the classes of universality of the Ising, the Tricritical Ising and the RSOS models. We establish the symmetry and the duality properties of the various models also identifying the limiting theories that emerge when m goes to infinity.Comment: 30 pages, pdflatex,17 figures

Excited state TBA and renormalized TCSA in the scaling Potts model

We consider the field theory describing the scaling limit of the Potts quantum spin chain using a combination of two approaches. The first is the renormalized truncated conformal space approach (TCSA), while the second one is a new thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz (TBA) system for the excited state spectrum in finite volume. For the TCSA we investigate and clarify several aspects of the renormalization procedure and counter term construction. The TBA system is first verified by comparing its ultraviolet limit to conformal field theory and the infrared limit to exact S-matrix predictions. We then show that the TBA and the renormalized TCSA match each other to a very high precision for a large range of the volume parameter, providing both a further verification of the TBA system and a demonstration of the efficiency of the TCSA renormalization procedure. We also discuss the lessons learned from our results concerning recent developments regarding the low-energy scattering of quasi-particles in the quantum Potts spin chain.Comment: 39 pages, 5 eps figures. v2: reference added. v3: several misprints corrected, and an important step in the derivation of counter terms (in section 3.4.1) is explained in more detai

Confinement in the q-state Potts model: an RG-TCSA study

In the ferromagnetic phase of the q-state Potts model, switching on an external magnetic field induces confinement of the domain wall excitations. For the Ising model (q = 2) the spectrum consists of kink-antikink states which are the analogues of mesonic states in QCD, while for q = 3, depending on the sign of the field, the spectrum may also contain three-kink bound states which are the analogues of the baryons. In recent years the resulting "hadron" spectrum was described using several different approaches, such as quantum mechanics in the confining linear potential, WKB methods and also the Bethe-Salpeter equation. Here we compare the available predictions to numerical results from renormalization group improved truncated conformal space approach (RG-TCSA). While mesonic states in the Ising model have already been considered in a different truncated Hamiltonian approach, this is the first time that a precision numerical study is performed for the 3-state Potts model. We find that the semiclassical approach provides a very accurate description for the mesonic spectrum in all the parameter regime for weak magnetic field, while the low-energy expansion from the Bethe-Salpeter equation is only valid for very weak fields where it gives a slight improvement over the semiclassical results. In addition, we confirm the validity of the recent predictions for the baryon spectrum obtained from solving the quantum mechanical three-body problem.Comment: 22 pages, pdflatex source with pdf figures. Version 2: references added, introduction change

Boundary reduction formula

An asymptotic theory is developed for general non-integrable boundary quantum field theory in 1+1 dimensions based on the Langrangean description. Reflection matrices are defined to connect asymptotic states and are shown to be related to the Green functions via the boundary reduction formula derived. The definition of the $R$-matrix for integrable theories due to Ghoshal and Zamolodchikov and the one used in the perturbative approaches are shown to be related.Comment: 12 pages, Latex2e file with 5 eps figures, two Appendices about the boundary Feynman rules and the structure of the two point functions are adde

Overlaps after quantum quenches in the sine-Gordon model

We present a numerical computation of overlaps in mass quenches in sine-Gordon quantum field theory using truncated conformal space approach (TCSA). To improve the cut-off dependence of the method, we use a novel running coupling definition which has a general applicability in free boson TCSA. The numerical results are used to confirm the validity of a previously proposed analytical Ansatz for the initial state in the sinh-Gordon quench.Comment: 13 pages, 4 pdf figure

Quasi-particle spectrum and entanglement generation after a quench in the quantum Potts spin chain

Recently, a non-trivial relation between the quasi-particle spectrum and entanglement entropy production was discovered in non-integrable quenches in the paramagnetic Ising quantum spin chain. Here we study the dynamics of analogous quenches in the quantum Potts spin chain. Tuning the parameters of the system, we observe a sudden increase in the entanglement production rate, which is shown to be related to the appearance of new quasiparticle excitations in the post-quench spectrum. Our results demonstrate the generality of the effect and support its interpretation as the non-equilibrium version of the well-known Gibbs paradox related to mixing entropy which appears in systems with a non-trivial quasi-particle spectrum.Comment: 15 pages, pdflatex, 30 pdf figures. v2: reformatted, 22 pages, typos correcte

A2 Toda theory in reduced WZNW framework and the representations of the W algebra

Using the reduced WZNW formulation we analyse the classical $W$ orbit content of the space of classical solutions of the $A_2$ Toda theory. We define the quantized Toda field as a periodic primary field of the $W$ algebra satisfying the quantized equations of motion. We show that this local operator can be constructed consistently only in a Hilbert space consisting of the representations corresponding to the minimal models of the $W$ algebra.Comment: 38 page

On the relation between Phi(1,2) and Phi(1,5) perturbed minimal models

We consider the RSOS S-matrices of the Phi(1,5) perturbed minimal models which have recently been found in the companion paper [hep-th/9604098]. These S-matrices have some interesting properties, in particular, unitarity may be broken in a stronger sense than seen before, while one of the three classes of Phi(1,5) perturbations (to be described) shares the same Thermodynamic Bethe Ansatz as a related Phi(1,2) perturbation. We test these new S-matrices by the standard Truncated Conformal Space method, and further observe that in some cases the BA equations for two particle energy levels may be continued to complex rapidity to describe (a) single particle excitations and (b) complex eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian corresponding to non-unitary S-matrix elements. We make some comments on identities between characters in the two related models following from the fact that the two perturbed theories share the same breather sector.Comment: LaTeX, 23 pages, 12 figures. Substantial revision of introductory section, new discussion of complex eigenvalues and non-unitary S-matrice

Initial states in integrable quantum field theory quenches from an integral equation hierarchy

We consider the problem of determining the initial state of integrable quantum field theory quenches in terms of the post-quench eigenstates. The corresponding overlaps are a fundamental input to most exact methods to treat integrable quantum quenches. We construct and examine an infinite integral equation hierarchy based on the form factor bootstrap, proposed earlier as a set of conditions deter- mining the overlaps. Using quenches of the mass and interaction in Sinh-Gordon theory as a concrete example, we present theoretical arguments that the state has the squeezed coherent form expected for integrable quenches, and supporting an Ansatz for the solution of the hierarchy. Moreover we also develop an iterative method to solve numerically the lowest equation of the hierarchy. The iterative solution along with extensive numerical checks performed using the next equation of the hierarchy provide a strong numerical evidence that the proposed Ansatz gives a very good approximation for the solution.Comment: 36 pages, pdflatex file, 11 pdf figures. v2: revised version, accepted for publicatio

Finite temperature expectation values of boundary operators

A conjecture is presented for the thermal one-point function of boundary operators in integrable boundary quantum field theories in terms of form factors. It is expected to have applications in studying boundary critical phenomena and boundary flows, which are relevant in the context of condensed matter and string theory. The conjectured formula is verified by a low-temperature expansion developed using finite size techniques, which can also be used to evaluate higher point functions both in the bulk and on the boundary. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved