Conformal Invariance: an Introduction to Loops, Interfaces and Stochastic Loewner Evolution

Offering newcomers an introduction to the field, and seasoned researchers a wealth of current applications, this edited collection is a testament to the spectacular success and value of conformal invariance and the Stochastic Loewner Evolution of its method.

Conformal invariance has been a spectacularly successful tool in advancing our understanding of the two-dimensional phase transitions found in classical systems at equilibrium. This volume sharpens our picture of the applications of conformal invariance, introducing non-local observables such as loops and interfaces before explaining how they arise in specific physical contexts. It then shows how to use conformal invariance to determine their properties.

Moving on to cover key conceptual developments in conformal invariance, the book devotes much of its space to stochastic Loewner evolution (SLE), detailing SLE's conceptual foundations as well as extensive numerical tests. The chapters then elucidate SLE's use in geometric phase transitions such as percolation or polymer systems, paying particular attention to surface effects. As clear and accessible as it is authoritative, this publication is as suitable for non-specialist readers and graduate students alike.

Edited and authored by leading experts in the field Reviews applications of contemporary interest Provides a tutorial introduction to the newcomer Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
Introduction to CFT.- Critical Interfaces and SLE.- Numerical tests of SLE.- Loop Models and boundary CFT.