We study the statistical mechanics of random surfaces generated by NxN one-matrix integrals over anti-commuting variables. These Grassmann-valued matrix models are shown to be equivalent to NxN unita
We interpret aspects of the Schur indices, that were identified with characters of highest weight modules in Virasoro $(p,p)=(2,2k+3)$ minimal models for $k=1,2,dots$, in terms of paths that first appeared in exact solutions in statistical mechanics. From that, we propose closed-form fermionic sum expressions, that is, $q, t$-series with manifestly non-negative coefficients, for two infinite-series of Macdonald indices of $(A_1,A_{2k})$ Argyres-Douglas theories that correspond to $t$-refinements of Virasoro $(p,p)=(2,2k+3)$ minimal model characters, and two rank-2 Macdonald indices that correspond to $t$-refinements of $mathcal{W}_3$ non-unitary minimal model characters. Our proposals match with computations from 4D $mathcal{N} = 2$ gauge theories textit{via} the TQFT picture, based on the work of J Song arXiv:1509.06730.
Much of our understanding of critical phenomena is based on the notion of Renormalization Group (RG), but the actual determination of its fixed points is usually based on approximations and truncations, and predictions of physical quantities are often of limited accuracy. The RG fixed points can be however given a fully rigorous and non-perturbative characterization, and this is what is presented here in a model of symplectic fermions with a nonlocal (long-range) kinetic term depending on a parameter $varepsilon$ and a quartic interaction. We identify the Banach space of interactions, which the fixed point belongs to, and we determine it via a convergent approximation scheme. The Banach space is not limited to relevant interactions, but it contains all possible irrelevant terms with short-ranged kernels, decaying like a stretched exponential at large distances. As the model shares a number of features in common with $phi^4$ or Ising models, the result can be used as a benchmark to test the validity of truncations and approximations in RG studies. The analysis is based on results coming from Constructive RG to which we provide a tutorial and self-contained introduction. In addition, we prove that the fixed point is analytic in $varepsilon$, a somewhat surprising fact relying on the fermionic nature of the problem.
We investigate a class of exactly solvable quantum quench protocols with a finite quench rate in systems of one dimensional non-relativistic fermions in external harmonic oscillator or inverted harmonic oscillator potentials, with time dependent masses and frequencies. These hamiltonians arise, respectively, in harmonic traps, and the $c=1$ Matrix Model description of two dimensional string theory with time dependent string coupling. We show how the dynamics is determined by a single function of time which satisfies a generalized Ermakov-Pinney equation. The quench protocols we consider asymptote to constant masses and frequencies at early times, and cross or approach a gapless potential. In a right side up harmonic oscillator potential we determine the scaling behavior of the one point function and the entanglement entropy of a subregion by obtaining analytic approximations to the exact answers. The results are consistent with Kibble-Zurek scaling for slow quenches and with perturbation calculations for fast quenches. For cis-critical quench protocols the entanglement entropy oscillates at late times around its initial value. For end-critical protocols the entanglement entropy monotonically goes to zero inversely with time, reflecting the spread of fermions over the entire line. For the inverted harmonic oscillator potential, the dual collective field description is a scalar field in a time dependent metric and dilaton background.
We determine the semiclassical energy levels for the phi^4 field theory in the broken symmetry phase on a 2D cylindrical geometry with antiperiodic boundary conditions by quantizing the appropriate finite--volume kink solutions. The analytic form of the kink scaling functions for arbitrary size of the system allows us to describe the flow between the twisted sector of c=1 CFT in the UV region and the massive particles in the IR limit. Kink-creating operators are shown to correspond in the UV limit to disorder fields of the c=1 CFT. The problem of the finite--volume spectrum for generic 2D Landau--Ginzburg models is also discussed.
For the simplest quantum field theory originating from a non-trivial fixed point of the renormalization group, the Lee-Yang model, we show that the operator space determined by the particle dynamics in the massive phase and that prescribed by conformal symmetry at criticality coincide.