General solution of an exact correlation function factorization in conformal field theory

We discuss a correlation function factorization, which relates a three-point function to the square root of three two-point functions. This factorization is known to hold for certain scaling operators at the two-dimensional percolation point and in a few other cases. The correlation functions are evaluated in the upper half-plane (or any conformally equivalent region) with operators at two arbitrary points on the real axis, and a third arbitrary point on either the real axis or in the interior. This type of result is of interest because it is both exact and universal, relates higher-order correlation functions to lower-order ones, and has a simple interpretation in terms of cluster or loop probabilities in several statistical models. This motivated us to use the techniques of conformal field theory to determine the general conditions for its validity. Here, we discover a correlation function which factorizes in this way for any central charge c, generalizing previous results. In particular, the factorization holds for either FK (Fortuin-Kasteleyn) or spin clusters in the Q-state Potts models; it also applies to either the dense or dilute phases of the O(n) loop models. Further, only one other non-trivial set of highest-weight operators (in an irreducible Verma module) factorizes in this way. In this case the operators have negative dimension (for c < 1) and do not seem to have a physical realization.Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure, v2 minor revision

The density of critical percolation clusters touching the boundaries of strips and squares

We consider the density of two-dimensional critical percolation clusters, constrained to touch one or both boundaries, in infinite strips, half-infinite strips, and squares, as well as several related quantities for the infinite strip. Our theoretical results follow from conformal field theory, and are compared with high-precision numerical simulation. For example, we show that the density of clusters touching both boundaries of an infinite strip of unit width (i.e. crossing clusters) is proportional to $(\sin \pi y)^{-5/48}\{[\cos(\pi y/2)]^{1/3} +[\sin (\pi y/2)]^{1/3}-1\}$. We also determine numerically contours for the density of clusters crossing squares and long rectangles with open boundaries on the sides, and compare with theory for the density along an edge.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures. Minor revision

Anchored Critical Percolation Clusters and 2-D Electrostatics

We consider the densities of clusters, at the percolation point of a two-dimensional system, which are anchored in various ways to an edge. These quantities are calculated by use of conformal field theory and computer simulations. We find that they are given by simple functions of the potentials of 2-D electrostatic dipoles, and that a kind of superposition {\it cum} factorization applies. Our results broaden this connection, already known from previous studies, and we present evidence that it is more generally valid. An exact result similar to the Kirkwood superposition approximation emerges.Comment: 4 pages, 1 (color) figure. More numerics, minor corrections, references adde

Exact results at the 2-D percolation point

We derive exact expressions for the excess number of clusters b and the excess cumulants b_n of a related quantity at the 2-D percolation point. High-accuracy computer simulations are in accord with our predictions. b is a finite-size correction to the Temperley-Lieb or Baxter-Temperley-Ashley formula for the number of clusters per site n_c in the infinite system limit; the bn correct bulk cumulants. b and b_n are universal, and thus depend only on the system's shape. Higher-order corrections show no apparent dependence on fractional powers of the system size.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, LaTeX, submitted to Physical Review Letter

Exact factorization of correlation functions in 2-D critical percolation

By use of conformal field theory, we discover several exact factorizations of higher-order density correlation functions in critical two-dimensional percolation. Our formulas are valid in the upper half-plane, or any conformally equivalent region. We find excellent agreement of our results with high-precision computer simulations. There are indications that our formulas hold more generally.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Oral presentation given at STATPHYS 23. V2: Minor additions and corrections, figures improve

Percolation Crossing Formulas and Conformal Field Theory

Using conformal field theory, we derive several new crossing formulas at the two-dimensional percolation point. High-precision simulation confirms these results. Integrating them gives a unified derivation of Cardy's formula for the horizontal crossing probability $\Pi_h(r)$, Watts' formula for the horizontal-vertical crossing probability $\Pi_{hv}(r)$, and Cardy's formula for the expected number of clusters crossing horizontally $\mathcal{N}_h(r)$. The main step in our approach implies the identification of the derivative of one primary operator with another. We present operator identities that support this idea and suggest the presence of additional symmetry in $c=0$ conformal field theories.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures. Numerics improved; minor correction

Unitarity issue in BTZ black holes

We study the wave equation for a massive scalar in three-dimensional AdS-black hole spacetimes to understand the unitarity issues in a semiclassical way. Here we introduce four interesting spacetimes: the non-rotating BTZ black hole (NBTZ), pure AdS spacetime (PADS), massless BTZ black hole (MBTZ), and extremal BTZ black hole (EBTZ). Our method is based on the potential analysis and solving the wave equation to find the condition for the frequency $\omega$ exactly. In the NBTZ case, one finds the quasinormal (complex and discrete) modes which signals for a non-unitary evolution. Real and discrete modes are found for the PADS case, which means that it is unitary obviously. On the other hand, we find real and continuous modes for the two extremal black holes of MBTZ and EBTZ. It suggests that these could be candidates for the unitary system.Comment: 14 pages, contracted version to appear in MPL