The O(n) model on the annulus

We use Coulomb gas methods to propose an explicit form for the scaling limit of the partition function of the critical O(n) model on an annulus, with free boundary conditions, as a function of its modulus. This correctly takes into account the magnetic charge asymmetry and the decoupling of the null states. It agrees with an earlier conjecture based on Bethe ansatz and quantum group symmetry, and with all known results for special values of n. It gives new formulae for percolation (the probability that a cluster connects the two opposite boundaries) and for self-avoiding loops (the partition function for a single loop wrapping non-trivially around the annulus.) The limit n->0 also gives explicit examples of partition functions in logarithmic conformal field theory.Comment: 20 pp. v.2: important references added to earlier work, minor typos correcte

Discretely Holomorphic Parafermions in Lattice Z(N) Models

We construct lattice parafermions - local products of order and disorder operators - in nearest-neighbor Z(N) models on regular isotropic planar lattices, and show that they are discretely holomorphic, that is they satisfy discrete Cauchy-Riemann equations, precisely at the critical Fateev-Zamolodchikov (FZ) integrable points. We generalize our analysis to models with anisotropic interactions, showing that, as long as the lattice is correctly embedded in the plane, such discretely holomorphic parafermions exist for particular values of the couplings which we identify as the anisotropic FZ points. These results extend to more general inhomogeneous lattice models as long as the covering lattice admits a rhombic embedding in the plane.Comment: v2: minor corrections; v3: published version - minor corrections and reference adde

The Number of Incipient Spanning Clusters in Two-Dimensional Percolation

Using methods of conformal field theory, we conjecture an exact form for the probability that n distinct clusters span a large rectangle or open cylinder of aspect ratio k, in the limit when k is large.Comment: 9 pages, LaTeX, 1 eps figure. Additional references and comparison with existing numerical results include

Critical Exponents near a Random Fractal Boundary

The critical behaviour of correlation functions near a boundary is modified from that in the bulk. When the boundary is smooth this is known to be characterised by the surface scaling dimension \xt. We consider the case when the boundary is a random fractal, specifically a self-avoiding walk or the frontier of a Brownian walk, in two dimensions, and show that the boundary scaling behaviour of the correlation function is characterised by a set of multifractal boundary exponents, given exactly by conformal invariance arguments to be \lambda_n = 1/48 (\sqrt{1+24n\xt}+11)(\sqrt{1+24n\xt}-1). This result may be interpreted in terms of a scale-dependent distribution of opening angles $\alpha$ of the fractal boundary: on short distance scales these are sharply peaked around $\alpha=\pi/3$. Similar arguments give the multifractal exponents for the case of coupling to a quenched random bulk geometry.Comment: 13 pages. Comments on relation to results in quenched random bulk added, and on relation to other recent work. Typos correcte

Frustration of decoherence in YY-shaped superconducting Josephson networks

We examine the possibility that pertinent impurities in a condensed matter system may help in designing quantum devices with enhanced coherent behaviors. For this purpose, we analyze a field theory model describing Y- shaped superconducting Josephson networks. We show that a new finite coupling stable infrared fixed point emerges in its phase diagram; we then explicitly evidence that, when engineered to operate near by this new fixed point, Y-shaped networks support two-level quantum systems, for which the entanglement with the environment is frustrated. We briefly address the potential relevance of this result for engineering finite-size superconducting devices with enhanced quantum coherence. Our approach uses boundary conformal field theory since it naturally allows for a field-theoretical treatment of the phase slips (instantons), describing the quantum tunneling between degenerate levels.Comment: 11 pages, 5 .eps figures; several changes in the presentation and in the figures, upgraded reference

Boundary conformal fields and Tomita--Takesaki theory

Motivated by formal similarities between the continuum limit of the Ising model and the Unruh effect, this paper connects the notion of an Ishibashi state in boundary conformal field theory with the Tomita--Takesaki theory for operator algebras. A geometrical approach to the definition of Ishibashi states is presented, and it is shownthat, when normalisable the Ishibashi states are cyclic separating states, justifying the operator state correspondence. When the states are not normalisable Tomita--Takesaki theory offers an alternative approach based on left Hilbert algebras, opening the way to extensions of our construction and the state-operator correspondence.Comment: plain Te

PERFORMANCE MEASURES: BANDWIDTH VERSUS FIDELITY IN PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Performance is of focal and critical interest in organizations. Despite its criticality, when it comes to human performance there are many questions as to how to best measure and manage performance. One such issue is the breadth of the performance that should be considered. In this paper, we examine the issue of the breadth of performance in terms of measuring and managing performance. Overall, a contingency approach is taken in which the expected benefits and preference for broad or narrow performance measures depend on the type of job (fixed or changeable).bandwidth, fidelity in performance management, performance measures

Reflection Scattering Matrix of the Ising Model in a Random Boundary Magnetic Field

The physical properties induced by a quenched surface magnetic field in the Ising model are investigated by means of boundary quantum field theory in replica space. Exact boundary scattering amplitudes are proposed and used to study the averaged quenched correlation functions.Comment: 37 pages (Latex), including 16 figures, one reference adde

Calogero-Sutherland eigenfunctions with mixed boundary conditions and conformal field theory correlators

We construct certain eigenfunctions of the Calogero-Sutherland hamiltonian for particles on a circle, with mixed boundary conditions. That is, the behavior of the eigenfunction, as neighbouring particles collide, depend on the pair of colliding particles. This behavior is generically a linear combination of two types of power laws, depending on the statistics of the particles involved. For fixed ratio of each type at each pair of neighboring particles, there is an eigenfunction, the ground state, with lowest energy, and there is a discrete set of eigenstates and eigenvalues, the excited states and the energies above this ground state. We find the ground state and special excited states along with their energies in a certain class of mixed boundary conditions, interpreted as having pairs of neighboring bosons and other particles being fermions. These particular eigenfunctions are characterised by the fact that they are in direct correspondence with correlation functions in boundary conformal field theory. We expect that they have applications to measures on certain configurations of curves in the statistical O(n) loop model. The derivation, although completely independent from results of conformal field theory, uses ideas from the "Coulomb gas" formulation.Comment: 35 pages, 9 figure

Lifshitz-like systems and AdS null deformations

Following arXiv:1005.3291 [hep-th], we discuss certain lightlike deformations of $AdS_5\times X^5$ in Type IIB string theory sourced by a lightlike dilaton $\Phi(x^+)$ dual to the N=4 super Yang-Mills theory with a lightlike varying gauge coupling. We argue that in the case where the $x^+$-direction is noncompact, these solutions describe anisotropic 3+1-dim Lifshitz-like systems with a potential in the $x^+$-direction generated by the lightlike dilaton. We then describe solutions of this sort with a linear dilaton. This enables a detailed calculation of 2-point correlation functions of operators dual to bulk scalars and helps illustrate the spatial structure of these theories. Following this, we discuss a nongeometric string construction involving a compactification along the $x^+$-direction of this linear dilaton system. We also point out similar IIB axionic solutions. Similar bulk arguments for $x^+$-noncompact can be carried out for deformations of $AdS_4\times X^7$ in M-theory.Comment: Latex, 20pgs, 1 eps fig; v2. references added; v3. minor clarifications added, to appear in PR