Contributor info: Prof. Jesper Lykke Jacobsen

Yu-Feng Song, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Bernard Nienhuis, Andrea Sportiello, Youjin Deng

SciPost Phys. 18, 057 (2025) · published 18 February 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

Recent work on percolation in $d=2$ [J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 55, 204002 (2015)] introduced an operator that gives a weight $k^{\ell}$ to configurations with $\ell$ 'nested paths' (NP), i.e.\ disjoint cycles surrounding the origin, if there exists a cluster that percolates to the boundary of a disc of radius $L$, and weight zero otherwise. It was found that $\mathbb{E}(k^{\ell}) \sim L^{-X_{NP}(k)}$, and a formula for $X_{NP}(k)$ was conjectured. Here we derive an exact result for $X_{NP}(k)$, valid for $k ≥ -1$, replacing the previous conjecture. We find that the probability distribution $\mathbb{P}_\ell (L)$ scales as $ L^{-1/4} (\ln L)^\ell [(1/\ell!) \Lambda^\ell]$ when $\ell ≥ 0$ and $L \gg 1$, with $\Lambda = 1/\sqrt{3} \pi$. Extensive simulations for various critical percolation models confirm our theoretical predictions and support the universality of the NP observables.

Paul Roux, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Sylvain Ribault, Hubert Saleur

SciPost Phys. 18, 033 (2025) · published 27 January 2025 | Toggle abstract · pdf

Starting with the Ising model, statistical models with global symmetries provide fruitful approaches to interesting physical systems, for example percolation or polymers. These include the $O(n)$ model (symmetry group $O(n)$) and the Potts model (symmetry group $S_Q$). Both models make sense for $n,Q∈ \mathbb{C}$ and not just $n,Q∈ \mathbb{N}$, and both give rise to a conformal field theory in the critical limit. Here, we study similar models based on the group $PSU(n)$. We focus on the two-dimensional case, where the models can be described either as gases of non-intersecting orientable loops, or as alternating spin chains. This allows us to determine their spectra either by computing a twisted torus partition function, or by studying representations of the walled Brauer algebra. In the critical limit, our models give rise to a CFT that exists for any $n∈\mathbb{C}$ and has a global $PSU(n)$ symmetry. Its spectrum is similar to those of the $O(n)$ and Potts CFTs, but a bit simpler. We conjecture that the $O(n)$ CFT is a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ orbifold of the $PSU(n)$ CFT, where $\mathbb{Z}_2$ acts as complex conjugation.

Rongvoram Nivesvivat, Sylvain Ribault, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen

SciPost Phys. 17, 029 (2024) · published 1 August 2024 | Toggle abstract · pdf

In two-dimensional critical loop models, including the O(n) and Potts models, the spectrum is exactly known, as are a few structure constants or ratios thereof. Using numerical conformal bootstrap methods, we study 235 of the simplest 4-point structure constants. For each structure constant, we find an analytic expression as a product of two factors: 1) a universal function of conformal dimensions, built from Barnes' double Gamma function, and 2) a polynomial function of loop weights, whose degree obeys a simple upper bound. We conjecture that all structure constants are of this form. For a few 4-point functions, we build corresponding observables in a lattice loop model. From numerical lattice results, we extract amplitude ratios that depend neither on the lattice size nor on the lattice coupling. These ratios agree with the corresponding ratios of 4-point structure constants.

Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Rongvoram Nivesvivat, Hubert Saleur

SciPost Phys. 16, 111 (2024) · published 24 April 2024 | Toggle abstract · pdf

Using methods from the conformal bootstrap, we study the properties of Noether currents in the critical $O(n)$ loop model. We confirm that they do not give rise to a Kac-Moody algebra (for $n≠ 2$), a result expected from the underlying lack of unitarity. By studying four-point functions in detail, we fully determine the current-current OPEs, and thus obtain several structure constants with physical meaning. We find in particular that the terms $:\!J\bar{J}\!:$ in the identity and adjoint channels vanish exactly, invalidating the argument made in \[Nucl. Phys. B 419, 411 (1994)] that adding orientation-dependent interactions to the model should lead to continuously varying exponents in self-avoiding walks. We also determine the residue of the identity channel in the $JJ$ two-point function, finding that it coincides both with the result of a transfer-matrix computation for an orientation-dependent correlation function in the lattice model, and with an earlier Coulomb gas computation of Cardy [Nucl. Phys. B 265, 409 (1986)]. This is, to our knowledge, one of the first instances where the Coulomb gas formalism and the bootstrap can be successfully compared.

Linnea Grans-Samuelsson, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Rongvoram Nivesvivat, Sylvain Ribault, Hubert Saleur

SciPost Phys. 15, 147 (2023) · published 9 October 2023 | Toggle abstract · pdf

In two-dimensional statistical physics, correlation functions of the $O(N)$ and Potts models may be written as sums over configurations of non-intersecting loops. We define sums associated to a large class of combinatorial maps (also known as ribbon graphs). We allow disconnected maps, but not maps that include monogons. Given a map with $n$ vertices, we obtain a function of the moduli of the corresponding punctured Riemann surface. Due to the map's combinatorial (rather than topological) nature, that function is single-valued, and we call it an $n$-point correlation function. We conjecture that in the critical limit, such functions form a basis of solutions of certain conformal bootstrap equations. They include all correlation functions of the $O(N)$ and Potts models, and correlation functions that do not belong to any known model. We test the conjecture by counting solutions of crossing symmetry for four-point functions on the sphere.

Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Sylvain Ribault, Hubert Saleur

SciPost Phys. 14, 092 (2023) · published 3 May 2023 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We determine the spaces of states of the two-dimensional $O(n)$ and $Q$-state Potts models with generic parameters $n,Q\in \mathbb{C}$ as representations of their known symmetry algebras. While the relevant representations of the conformal algebra were recently worked out, it remained to determine the action of the global symmetry groups: the orthogonal group for the $O(n)$ model, and the symmetric group $S_Q$ for the $Q$-state Potts model. We do this by two independent methods. First we compute the twisted torus partition functions of the models at criticality. The twist in question is the insertion of a group element along one cycle of the torus: this breaks modular invariance, but allows the partition function to have a unique decomposition into characters of irreducible representations of the global symmetry group. Our second method reduces the problem to determining branching rules of certain diagram algebras. For the $O(n)$ model, we decompose representations of the Brauer algebra into representations of its unoriented Jones-Temperley-Lieb subalgebra. For the $Q$-state Potts model, we decompose representations of the partition algebra into representations of the appropriate subalgebra. We find explicit expressions for these decompositions as sums over certain sets of diagrams, and over standard Young tableaux. We check that both methods agree in many cases. Moreover, our spaces of states are consistent with recent bootstrap results on four-point functions of the corresponding CFTs.

Linnea Grans-Samuelsson, Rongvoram Nivesvivat, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Sylvain Ribault, Hubert Saleur

SciPost Phys. 12, 147 (2022) · published 6 May 2022 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We define the two-dimensional $O(n)$ conformal field theory as a theory that includes the critical dilute and dense $O(n)$ models as special cases, and depends analytically on the central charge. For generic values of $n\in\mathbb{C}$, we write a conjecture for the decomposition of the spectrum into irreducible representations of $O(n)$. We then explain how to numerically bootstrap arbitrary four-point functions of primary fields in the presence of the global $O(n)$ symmetry. We determine the needed conformal blocks, including logarithmic blocks, including in singular cases. We argue that $O(n)$ representation theory provides upper bounds on the number of solutions of crossing symmetry for any given four-point function. We study some of the simplest correlation functions in detail, and determine a few fusion rules. We count the solutions of crossing symmetry for the $30$ simplest four-point functions. The number of solutions varies from $2$ to $6$, and saturates the bound from $O(n)$ representation theory in $21$ out of $30$ cases.

Alexi Morin-Duchesne, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen

SciPost Phys. 7, 040 (2019) · published 30 September 2019 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We compute lattice correlation functions for the model of critical dense polymers on a semi-infinite cylinder of perimeter $n$. In the lattice loop model, contractible loops have a vanishing fugacity whereas non-contractible loops have a fugacity $\alpha \in (0,\infty)$. These correlators are defined as ratios $Z(x)/Z_0$ of partition functions, where $Z_0$ is a reference partition function wherein only simple half-arcs are attached to the boundary of the cylinder. For $Z(x)$, the boundary of the cylinder is also decorated with simple half-arcs, but it also has two special positions $1$ and $x$ where the boundary condition is different. We investigate two such kinds of boundary conditions: (i) there is a single node at each of these points where a long arc is attached, and (ii) there are pairs of adjacent nodes at these points where two long arcs are attached. We find explicit expressions for these correlators for finite $n$ using the representation of the enlarged periodic Temperley-Lieb algebra in the XX spin chain. The resulting asymptotics as $n\to \infty$ are expressed as simple integrals that depend on the scaling parameter $\tau = \frac {x-1} n \in (0,1)$. For small $\tau$, the leading behaviours are proportional to $\tau^{1/4}$, $\tau^{1/4}\log \tau$, $\log \tau$ and $\log^2 \tau$. We interpret the lattice results in terms of ratios of conformal correlation functions. We assume that the corresponding boundary changing fields are highest weight states in irreducible, Kac or staggered Virasoro modules, with central charge $c=-2$ and conformal dimensions $\Delta = -\frac18$ or $\Delta = 0$. With these assumptions, we obtain differential equations of order two and three satisfied by the conformal correlation functions, solve these equations in terms of hypergeometric functions, and find a perfect agreement with the lattice results. We use the lattice results to compute structure constants and ratios thereof which appear in the operator product expansions of the boundary condition changing fields. The fusion of these fields is found to be non-abelian.

Alexi Morin-Duchesne, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen

SciPost Phys. 4, 034 (2018) · published 19 June 2018 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We investigate six types of two-point boundary correlation functions in the dense loop model. These are defined as ratios $Z/Z^0$ of partition functions on the $m\times n$ square lattice, with the boundary condition for $Z$ depending on two points $x$ and $y$. We consider: the insertion of an isolated defect (a) and a pair of defects (b) in a Dirichlet boundary condition, the transition (c) between Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, and the connectivity of clusters (d), loops (e) and boundary segments (f) in a Neumann boundary condition. For the model of critical dense polymers, corresponding to a vanishing loop weight ($\beta = 0$), we find determinant and pfaffian expressions for these correlators. We extract the conformal weights of the underlying conformal fields and find $\Delta = -\frac18$, $0$, $-\frac3{32}$, $\frac38$, $1$, $\tfrac \theta \pi (1+\tfrac{2\theta}\pi)$, where $\theta$ encodes the weight of one class of loops for the correlator of type f. These results are obtained by analysing the asymptotics of the exact expressions, and by using the Cardy-Peschel formula in the case where $x$ and $y$ are set to the corners. For type b, we find a $\log|x-y|$ dependence from the asymptotics, and a $\ln (\ln n)$ term in the corner free energy. This is consistent with the interpretation of the boundary condition of type b as the insertion of a logarithmic field belonging to a rank two Jordan cell. For the other values of $\beta = 2 \cos \lambda$, we use the hypothesis of conformal invariance to predict the conformal weights and find $\Delta = \Delta_{1,2}$, $\Delta_{1,3}$, $\Delta_{0,\frac12}$, $\Delta_{1,0}$, $\Delta_{1,-1}$ and $\Delta_{\frac{2\theta}\lambda+1,\frac{2\theta}\lambda+1}$, extending the results of critical dense polymers. With the results for type f, we reproduce a Coulomb gas prediction for the valence bond entanglement entropy of Jacobsen and Saleur.

Eric Vernier, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Hubert Saleur

SciPost Phys. 2, 004 (2017) · published 21 February 2017 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We revisit the phase diagram of spin-1 $su(2)_k$ anyonic chains, originally studied by Gils {\it et. al.} [Phys. Rev. B, {\bf 87} (23) (2013)]. These chains possess several integrable points, which were overlooked (or only briefly considered) so far. Exploiting integrability through a combination of algebraic techniques and exact Bethe ansatz results, we establish in particular the presence of new first order phase transitions, a new critical point described by a $Z_k$ parafermionic CFT, and of even more phases than originally conjectured. Our results leave room for yet more progress in the understanding of spin-1 anyonic chains.

Jan de Gier, Jesper Lykke Jacobsen, Anita Ponsaing

SciPost Phys. 1, 012 (2016) · published 19 December 2016 | Toggle abstract · pdf

We compute the boundary entropy for bond percolation on the square lattice in the presence of a boundary loop weight, and prove explicit and exact expressions on a strip and on a cylinder of size $L$. For the cylinder we provide a rigorous asymptotic analysis which allows for the computation of finite-size corrections to arbitrary order. For the strip we provide exact expressions that have been verified using high-precision numerical analysis. Our rigorous and exact results corroborate an argument based on conformal field theory, in particular concerning universal logarithmic corrections for the case of the strip due to the presence of corners in the geometry. We furthermore observe a crossover at a special value of the boundary loop weight.